Coordinating Control Loops for Temperature Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in effectively coordinating multiple control loops for temperature management, leading to inefficient heat regulation across various heat-generating components.
Innovation Solution
A controller with logic, including hardware logic, is implemented to define and enforce a control relationship between first and second control loops associated with different heat sources, allowing for coordinated throttling operations to manage temperature by adjusting operating parameters such as power levels and brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate control loops are used for different heat-generating components, then each component can be independently managed, but the overall thermal management efficiency deteriorates due to lack of coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate control loops into a unified coordinated control system. The controller receives temperature inputs from multiple sensors and simultaneously manages multiple heat-generating components (display, CPU, GPU, charging circuitry) through integrated control logic, enabling coordinated throttling decisions that improve overall thermal management efficiency while maintaining the ability to independently manage each component based on its specific thermal conditions
2Speed
If throttling operations are performed without coordination, then individual components can respond quickly to thermal conditions, but overall device performance deteriorates due to uncoordinated response
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements coordinated feedback control where temperature sensors continuously monitor thermal conditions of multiple components, and the controller adjusts operating parameters of heat-generating components based on this feedback. The coordination ensures that throttling actions are synchronized across components, maintaining optimal device performance while responding quickly to thermal conditions through real-time monitoring and adjustment
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple control loops operate independently, then each loop can be optimized for its specific component, but system complexity increases due to lack of integration
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a universal multi-functional unit that can manage multiple types of heat-generating components (display, CPU, GPU, charging circuitry) through a single integrated control mechanism. This universal controller maintains the ability to optimize each component's specific thermal characteristics while reducing overall system complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate control loops and their associated coordination interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
In one example a controller comprises logic, at least partially including hardware logic, configured to define a control relationship between a first control loop associated with a first heat source and a second control loop associated with a second heat source and enforce the control relationship during throttling operations of the first heat source and the second heat source. Other examples may be described.