A processor may include an execution circuit, an issue circuit coupled to the
execution
circuit, and a clock tree for clocking circuitry in the processor. The issue circuit
issues an instruction to the execution circuit, and generates a control signal
responsive to whether or not the instruction is issued to the execution circuit.
The execution circuit includes at least a first subcircuit and a second subcircuit.
A portion of the clock tree supplies a plurality of clocks to the execution circuit,
including at least a first clock clocking the first subcircuit and at least a second
clock clocking the second subcircuit. The portion of the clock tree is coupled
to receive the control signal for collectively conditionally gating the plurality
of clock, and is also configured to individually conditionally gate at least some
of the plurality of clocks responsive to activity in the respective subcircuits
of the execution circuit. A system on a chip may include several processors, and
one or more of the processors may be conditionally clocked at the processor level.