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8
conga Tech Notes
The conga-QMX6 has some technological features that require additional explanation. The following section will give the reader a better
understanding of some of these features.
8.1
Freescale
®
i.MX6 Processor Features
8.1.1
Temperature Monitor (TEMPMON)
The Freescale
®
i.MX6 Cortex A9 processors have a temperature sensor module that implements a temperature sensor/conversion function
based on a temperature-dependent voltage to time conversion.
The module features an alarm function that can raise an interrupt signal if the temperature is above a specified threshold. A self repeating mode
can also be programmed which executes a temperature sensing operation based on a programmed delay.
Software can use this module to monitor the on-die temperature and take appropriate actions such as throttling back the core frequency when
a temperature interrupt is set.
During normal system operation, software can use the temperature sensor counter output in conjunction with the fused temperature calibration
data to determine the on-die operational temperature or to set an over-temperature interrupt alarm to within a couple of degree centigrade.
8.2
Thermal Management
To meet low power design requirement while maintaining a high performance operation, the Freescale
®
iMX6 incorporated several low power
design techniques. Even with these techniques, it is vital to manage the heat dissipation of the module in accordance with internal and external
conditions.
The conga-QMX6 employs basically two types of thermal management strategies:
Active Cooling
During this cooling policy, the operating system turns the fan on/off. Though the active thermal management technique provides better heat
dissipation and lower thermal resistances, the cooling solutions are however expensive and have large form factors.
