Software Implementation
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24267A/0—December 2000
AMD PowerNow! Technology Platform Design Guide for Embedded Processors
Preliminary Information
Using an SMM Handler
The AMD PowerNow! technology BIOS SMI API is the AMD-
defined method for a driver to communicate with the BIOS in a
Microsoft desktop operating system or with embedded
Windows NT.
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If a driver is used, it will search for a BIOS-supplied table of
information, which includes the address of the SMI
command port.
With the command port established, the driver then sets up
parameters in general-purpose registers (the function and
sub-function placed in the CX register) and generates an
SMI by writing to the SMI command port.
As the SMI command port mapping is specific to the south
bridge, the BIOS/SMM developer must assign an eight-bit
code to properly execute the SMM handler and enter SMM.
Values are then returned in general-purpose registers, and
SMM is entered.
The driver can use “AMD PowerNow! technology BIOS calls”
in SMM to invoke AMD PowerNow! technology state
transitions, where these BIOS calls function in a similar
manner to the BIOS INTn functions supported by Microsoft.
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Using a Microsoft
Windows
Driver Supporting
AMD PowerNow! Technology
The AMD PowerNow! technology-specific Microsoft Windows
driver is the device driver that allows the communication of
AMD PowerNow! technology preferences from the system to the
BIOS or SMM code. Any BIOS that complies with the
AMD PowerNow! technology BIOS SMI API specification is
expected to support driver requests from any operating system
or utility system that is able to make the proper calls.
The AMD PowerNow! technology driver also:
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Updates the memory table that is used to communicate user
performance preferences to BIOS.
Communicates system preferences or changes to the BIOS.
This involves invoking the SMM handler (via the south
bridge’s SMI command port) when a state transition is
desired.
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