BMU Shock Detection in Low-Power Heterogeneous Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Information Handling Systems (IHSs) face challenges in detecting shock events, such as falls, while in low-power operating states, as conventional shock detection capabilities are not operational during these states, leaving damage undetected until the system is powered back on.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a Battery Management Unit (BMU) connected via a sideband management connection to inertial sensors, enabling shock detection operations even when the IHS is in a low-power state, such as a fully-off state, by collecting shock event data from these sensors and transmitting it to an Embedded Controller (EC) for storage until the system transitions out of the low-power state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the IHS is placed in a low-power operating state to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but shock detection capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides shock detection functionality into two segments: primary shock detection handled by the main processor when active, and secondary shock detection handled by the BMU when the main processor is in low-power state. This segmentation allows shock detection capability to be maintained across power state transitions without requiring the entire system to remain powered on.
Solution Approach 2:
The BMU acts as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between low-power operation and shock detection. It has direct access to inertial sensors and can independently process shock events, serving as a mediator that maintains detection capability without requiring full system power. The BMU communicates detected events to the main system when it transitions back to active state.
2Device complexity
If conventional shock detection is only operational when the IHS is powered on, then system complexity is reduced, but damage detection is delayed until power-on
Solution Approach 1:
The BMU performs preliminary shock detection actions while the main system is powered off. By having the BMU continuously monitor or be quickly activatable to check for shock events during low-power states, the system prepares detection data in advance, eliminating the delay that would otherwise occur until the main processor powers on and initiates detection routines.
3Reliability
If the BMU continuously monitors for shock events, then shock detection reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the system employs periodic or event-triggered monitoring where the BMU checks for shock events at intervals or activates in response to specific conditions. This periodic action maintains detection reliability over time while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation, as the BMU can return to low-power states between monitoring cycles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective detection of shock events during low-power states, allowing for timely identification and potential damage mitigation without requiring the IHS to be powered on, thereby preserving system integrity and user data.
Implementation Method 1
a one or more inertial sensors... collect shock event data from the first of the inertial sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include an Information Handling System (IHS) that is adapted to detect shock and fall events experienced by the IHS, where the events are detected through operations of a BMU (Battery Management Unit) that is directly connect to batteries of the IHS. An Embedded Controller (EC) of the IHS detects a transition by one or more processors of the IHS to a low-power operating state such that processor-based detection procedures are not operational. Upon detecting the transition, the EC transmits a signal to the BMU to initiate shock detection operations. In response to the signal to initiate shock detection, the BMU initiates a connection to one or more inertial sensors of the IHS. The BMU collects shock event data from these inertial sensors while the one or more processors remain in the low-power operating state.