Integrated directly into the VIA C7®-M processor is VIA TwinTurbo™ Technology, a highly innovative power and performance efficiency technology specifically developed for a new generation of mobile devices.

At the core of VIA TwinTurbo technology is a unique design implementation that enables high speed changes to the processor operating frequency, fully complementing VIA PowerSaver™ technology in extending battery life, and enhancing on-demand performance.

How It Works

In modern digital devices, high frequency clocks required for operation are generated by a specialized device called a Phase-Lock Loop (PLL). In a traditional processor, the frequency of the processor generated by the PLL is fixed once activated, and stays at that frequency until powered down. The latest mobile processors, however, integrate technologies which allow the processor to vary in frequency and voltage based on the system demands placed upon the processor which is controlled by an internal function called "P states".

A significant limitation of competitor mobile processors is that in order for those processors to change frequency due to a change in P states, the processor must suspend all operations, unlock the PLL, move the PLL to the new frequency, relock the PLL, and resume operations in the processor. In the case of the Intel® Pentium® M processor, this operation causes it to effectively pause for roughly 15,000 clock cycles.

The VIA C7-M processor with VIA TwinTurbo technology delivers a unique solution to this problem that integrates two phase lock loops, effectively eliminating any transitional delay. When the processor changes P states, as controlled by VIA PowerSaver technology, the processor will continue to operate at the frequency of the first PLL, while the second PLL will move to the required frequency dictated by the P state. The VIA C7-M processor can then jump from the frequency of the first PLL, to the new frequency of the second PLL in one clock cycle, completely eliminating the transition delay experienced by competitors' implementations.

VIA TwinTurbo Benefits

This ability of the VIA C7-M processor with VIA TwinTurbo and VIA PowerSaver technology to make ultra fast transitions between frequencies has a pronounced effect both on system performance and power consumption, which is paramount for today's mobile devices.

When the VIA C7-M processor is in a low power (low operating frequency) mode, and there is a sudden demand for performance, VIA TwinTurbo technology enables the VIA C7-M processor to instantly respond to the system demands with no delay that might cause the system to "stutter" in responding to a task.

Alternatively, when the VIA C7-M processor is operating in a high performance (high operating frequency) mode, and there is a drop in the performance demand, VIA TwinTurbo technology enables the CPU to quickly drop the operating frequency, instantly reducing power consumption and extending operation when running on finite power supplies such as batteries.

As this figure illustrates, VIA TwinTurbo enables the VIA C7-M processor to instantly respond to CPU load increases and decreases, as opposed to a competitors implementation.

Conclusion

VIA TwinTurbo Technology delivers significant benefits to mobile users, extending battery life in mobile systems and also ensuring consistent performance when required. VIA TwinTurbo technology in combination with VIA PowerSaver and the innovative CoolStream architecture, clearly define the VIA C7-M processor as an industry leader in low power technologies aimed at a new generation of mobile on-the-go devices.