Altitude Inference via Multivariate Telemetry Pattern Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex computing devices are sensitive to cosmic rays and vibrations, leading to increased soft error rates and disk drive failures, and altitude variations affect cooling efficiency, making it challenging to ensure device operation across different environments without costly altimeter sensors or accurate altitude measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that use a software telemetry harness to infer altitude by monitoring various variables within the computing device, applying a multivariate correlation function to predict altitude and adjust operations accordingly, such as fan speeds, to optimize cooling and reduce vibration-induced failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If altimeter sensors are installed to directly measure altitude, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses telemetry signals from existing system components (CPU temperature, fan speeds, disk drive temperatures) as intermediary variables to infer altitude. Instead of directly measuring altitude with dedicated sensors, the system uses these readily available telemetry signals as mediators that correlate with altitude through multivariate pattern recognition algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical altimeter sensor system with a software-based inference system using multivariate correlation functions. The mechanical measurement approach is substituted with computational analysis of existing telemetry data patterns to determine altitude.
2Temperature
If fan speeds are increased to improve cooling at higher altitudes, then cooling efficiency is improved, but vibrations increase causing disk drive failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts fan speeds based on inferred altitude and real-time temperature conditions. Instead of using fixed high speeds for all high-altitude conditions, the system optimizes fan operation by continuously monitoring temperatures and adjusting speeds to provide adequate cooling while minimizing harmful vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from temperature sensors and altitude inference to continuously optimize fan speed control. The multivariate correlation function processes temperature data along with inferred altitude to determine optimal fan speeds that balance cooling requirements with vibration reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for inferring an altitude of a computing device, involving monitoring variable data associated with a plurality of variables measured within the computing device, inferring the altitude of the computing device using the measured plurality of variables in a multivariate correlation function, and controlling operation of the computing device based on the inferred altitude.