A data processing apparatus comprises a data processing module, which can be operated in a first operating mode with a normal power consumption and a second operating mode, wherein a power consumption of the data processing module in the second operating mode is smaller than the first power consumption or equal to 0. The data processing apparatus further comprises means for signaling a possibility that the data processing module can be placed into the second operating mode, means for providing a time-varying control signal, means for placing the data processing module from one data operating mode to the other, wherein means for placing is formed to place the data processing module into the other operating mode, when means for signaling signals the possibility and the control signal fulfills a predetermined condition.