Backup Power Management Controller for Computing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computing systems with shared backup power systems, individual processing units lack direct connection or awareness of backup power units, preventing task prioritization, processor speed modifications, and other operational customizations based on backup power characteristics, leading to inefficient power usage and high capital investments.
Innovation Solution
Assigning a portion of the backup capacity to individual processing units, allowing them to operate as if connected to a 'virtual' backup power unit, enabling operational customizations such as task prioritization and power adjustments based on assigned backup capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shared backup power system is used to power all processing units simultaneously, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and capital investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shared backup power capacity into individually assigned portions for each processing unit. Each unit receives a dedicated allocation of backup capacity that it can independently manage, transforming a monolithic shared system into distributed segmented allocations that reduce complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing each processing unit to have customized operational characteristics based on its assigned backup capacity. Different units can prioritize tasks, modify processor speeds, and perform power cycling independently according to their specific needs and assigned capacity, rather than uniform system-wide control
2Device complexity
If a shared backup power system is used without direct connection to processing units, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and operational customization capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary power management controller that bridges the backup power system and individual processing units. This intermediary allocates and manages backup capacity assignments, enabling each processing unit to access and customize its operational parameters based on assigned capacity without requiring direct physical connections to backup power units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing processing units to dynamically adjust their operational characteristics such as task prioritization, processor speed, and power cycling based on their assigned backup capacity and current power conditions. The system transitions from static uniform power distribution to dynamic adaptive control
3Productivity
If backup capacity is allocated to allow all processing units to operate simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but use of energy and capital investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allocating backup capacity to individual processing units based on their specific needs rather than providing full backup capacity to all units simultaneously. Each unit receives a portion of the total backup capacity that is sufficient for its operational requirements, reducing total energy consumption while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of backup capacity allocation from a fixed system-wide value to variable individual assignments. By adjusting the assigned backup capacity for each processing unit based on its specific power consumption characteristics and operational requirements, the system optimizes energy usage while maintaining the ability to support productive operations
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Various techniques for managing power backup for computing devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data representing a backup capacity of one or more backup power units and data representing a backup power profile of one or more processing units sharing the one or more backup power units. A portion of the backup capacity may then be assigned to each of the one or more processing units based at least in part on both the received data representing the backup capacity of the one or more backup power units and the received data representing the profile of the one or more processing units.