DDR5 Memory Module Temperature Polling for Faster Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased number of temperature sensors on DDR5 memory modules in Information Handling Systems (IHSs) leads to delays and inefficiencies in thermal control algorithms, affecting performance and power consumption, and existing fail-over mechanisms result in unnecessary high fan speeds when sensor failures occur.
Innovation Solution
A method for optimizing temperature sensor reading by prioritizing sensor readings on DDR5 memory modules, such as reading middle sensors first, followed by end sensors, and incorporating these readings into a thermal control algorithm, with fail-over strategies using neighboring sensors to maintain efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are read sequentially on each memory module, then thermal monitoring coverage is improved, but thermal control delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature sensor reading process by dividing sensors into different priority groups (first priority, second priority, third priority) based on their thermal importance. This allows the system to read critical sensors more frequently while still monitoring less critical sensors, thereby maintaining comprehensive thermal coverage without uniformly increasing reading frequency across all sensors, thus reducing overall thermal control delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing different reading intervals for different priority sensors. High-priority sensors are read more frequently than low-priority sensors, creating a periodic monitoring pattern that optimizes thermal control responsiveness for critical areas while reducing the burden of monitoring less critical areas, thereby balancing monitoring coverage with time efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If all temperature sensors are read at every thermal control iteration, then thermal control accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments temperature sensors into priority levels and applies different reading strategies to each segment. Only high-priority sensors are read at every thermal control iteration, while lower-priority sensors are read less frequently. This segmentation maintains thermal control accuracy for critical areas while significantly reducing the total number of sensor readings performed, thereby lowering power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by reading only the necessary subset of sensors (high-priority ones) at every iteration rather than all sensors. This partial monitoring approach provides sufficient thermal control accuracy for decision-making while avoiding the excessive power consumption that would result from reading every sensor at every iteration.
3Reliability
If a single temperature sensor fails, then sensor redundancy is reduced, but existing fail-over mechanisms cause unnecessary high fan speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments temperature sensors into priority groups and uses this segmentation to intelligently determine fail-over behavior. When a high-priority sensor fails, the system transitions to using lower-priority sensors for thermal control. This segmented approach allows the system to maintain reliable thermal monitoring while avoiding unnecessary high fan speeds that would occur with traditional fail-over mechanisms, as the system can continue operating with reduced but still effective monitoring coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic sensor priority assignment where sensor priorities can change based on operational conditions and failure states. When sensors fail, the system dynamically reconfigures which sensors are considered high-priority, allowing flexible adaptation to sensor failures without triggering unnecessary high fan speeds, thus maintaining both reliability and energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Effectively reading multiple temperature sensors on memory modules may include reading a first of a plurality of temperature sensors on each memory module of a plurality of memory modules, reading a second of the plurality of temperature sensors on each memory module, after reading the first sensors on each memory module, and, if present, reading a third of the plurality of temperature sensors on each memory module of the plurality of memory modules, after reading the second of the sensors on each memory module. The first temperature sensors may be reread prior to reading the third temperature sensors, particularly where the first temperature sensors are middle temperature sensors on each memory module. Upon failing to read a particular temperature sensor, neighboring temperature sensors of the particular temperature sensor may be polled, such as (an) other temperature sensor(s) on the same memory module and/or (a) temperature sensor(s) on adjacent memory module(s).