Dynamic Thermal Zone Control via Battery State-of-Charge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heterogeneous computing platforms lack the ability to dynamically update thermal zones or performance settings based on a battery's State-of-Charge or Depth-of-Discharge, leading to inefficient power management and thermal control.
Innovation Solution
A firmware service running on the EC/BMC or similar hardware controllers detects the battery's State-of-Charge or Depth-of-Discharge and dynamically switches ACPI thermal zone settings based on ITDM/OEM policies and context/telemetry data, allowing independent control of power delivery to devices and modifying performance settings without host OS involvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional heterogeneous computing platforms use fixed thermal zone settings, then system stability is maintained, but power management efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic thermal zone settings that automatically adjust based on battery state-of-charge levels. The system transitions from static, pre-configured thermal zones to dynamic, condition-based thermal zones that adapt in real-time to battery charge levels, thereby improving power management efficiency without sacrificing system stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes thermal zone parameters (temperature thresholds, cooling strategies) based on battery state-of-charge conditions. By modifying thermal management parameters dynamically according to battery charge levels, the system optimizes power usage during different charge states while maintaining appropriate thermal control
2Use of energy by moving object
If the system dynamically adjusts thermal zones based on battery charge levels, then power management efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a firmware intermediary layer (such as an Embedded Controller or Baseboard Management Controller) that mediates between the battery management system and thermal zone configuration. This intermediary handles the complex logic of detecting battery charge levels and selecting appropriate thermal zones, thereby improving power management efficiency while isolating the complexity from the main system operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automated firmware routines that independently monitor battery charge levels and automatically adjust thermal zone settings without requiring host operating system involvement or manual user intervention. This self-managing approach improves power efficiency while containing complexity within the firmware layer
3Speed
If host OS involvement is eliminated in thermal zone control, then response speed is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts thermal zone control functionality from the host operating system and relocates it to a dedicated firmware layer. This extraction enables faster thermal response independent of OS scheduling and overhead, while the firmware maintains standardized interfaces that preserve ease of operation for system administrators and users
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for performance control based upon a battery State-of-Charge or Depth-of-Discharge in a heterogenous computing platform are described. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a heterogeneous computing platform having a plurality of devices; and a memory coupled to the heterogeneous computing platform, where the memory comprises firmware instructions that, upon execution by at least one of the plurality of devices, cause the at least one device to operate as an orchestrator configured to: detect a battery's State-of-Charge or Depth-of-Discharge; and in response to the detection, select an Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) thermal zone setting.