Adaptive Thermal Throttling for Compact Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices with reduced form factors rely on passive cooling, which is inadequate for managing thermal thresholds, leading to overheating issues without adaptive thermal management solutions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for adaptive thermal throttling that allows users to configure thermal thresholds and policies, monitoring thermal states and implementing configuration settings to adjust device performance, such as reducing CPU frequency and load, to prevent overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If passive cooling is used in devices with reduced form factors, then device portability is improved, but thermal management capability deteriorates leading to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic thermal management by continuously monitoring thermal states and adapting device operation in real-time. The system transitions from static thermal thresholds to dynamic adjustment of operational parameters based on current thermal conditions, enabling the device to adapt its performance characteristics to maintain safe operating temperatures within compact form factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as CPU frequency, workload distribution, and power consumption levels in response to thermal conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on monitored thermal states, the device can manage heat generation without requiring larger passive cooling structures, thus maintaining compact form factor while improving thermal management.
2Reliability
If thermal thresholds are set by device manufacturers, then device reliability is improved, but user adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to self-configure thermal management parameters according to their specific needs and usage patterns. Users can define custom thermal thresholds, select different thermal policies, and adjust operational preferences without requiring manufacturer intervention. This self-service capability maintains device reliability through proven thermal management while adapting to diverse user requirements and environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from fixed manufacturer-set thermal thresholds to dynamically configurable parameters that users can adjust based on their preferences and usage scenarios. This dynamic configuration approach allows the same device to serve multiple user needs, from conservative thermal management to performance-oriented operation, thereby improving both reliability and adaptability.
3Temperature
If adaptive thermal throttling is implemented, then thermal management effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based thermal management system that continuously monitors thermal states and uses this information to adjust operational parameters. The system establishes feedback loops between thermal sensing, policy evaluation, and actuation mechanisms, enabling effective thermal control through information-driven decision-making rather than complex hardware architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces software-based thermal policies and configuration layers as intermediaries between hardware thermal management components and user applications. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system by providing a standardized interface for thermal control, allowing complex thermal management functionality to be accessed through simple policy configurations rather than direct hardware control.
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and methods manage thermal states of a device through user configuration of a client application on the device. The systems and methods set thermal thresholds associated with the device. The systems and methods infer the thermal thresholds from information gathered by a client application running on the device. The systems and methods implement a stored policy associated with a violation of one of the thermal thresholds by one of the monitored thermal states.