US Patent 7539880 System and method for managing power consumption

An electronic circuit having built-in self testing capabilities for optimizing power consumption. Typically, the electronic circuit includes a component circuit that operates at some known or unknown optimal operating power level. Further, the electronic circuit includes a power supply coupled to the component circuit such that the power supply provides power to the component circuit. Further yet, the electronic circuit includes a test circuit coupled to the component circuit and coupled to the power supply. The test circuit is operable to monitor the power supplied to the component circuit and operable to control the power supply. In an iterative manner, the test circuit reduces the power supplied to the component circuit until the power supplied to the component circuit is operating at the optimal operating power level.