Patent attributes
The disclosure describes a semiconductor device having a plurality of modules each enabled to perform properly while managing allowable power for an entire chip through distributed power control. A predetermined allowable power consumption value is defined for each module. The predetermined power consumption value refers to power consumption defined taking into account allowable power values for a plurality of modules. Each module takes a difference between the predetermined allowable power consumption value and an actual power consumption value as extra power and notifies other modules of the extra power thereof. To avoid a deadlock, each module is designed to be capable of performing data processing below the predetermined power consumption value without using extra power from another module. When notified of extra power by another module, each module can use for data processing power equal to the predetermined power consumption thereof and the extra power.
