Dynamic Frame Rate Adjustment for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming applications on computing devices face challenges in maintaining high frame rates without overheating and draining battery power, as sustained high operating clock speeds increase heat dissipation and battery drain, potentially reducing frame rates and thermal headroom.
Innovation Solution
A computing device determines the gameplay state of a gaming application and adjusts the target frame rate of image data output based on this state, reducing clock speeds and heat dissipation during non-gaming states to conserve battery life and thermal headroom, while maintaining high frame rates during gaming states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the processor operates at sustained high operating clock speed to output image data at high frame rate, then the frame rate is improved, but the heat dissipation increases and battery power is drained more quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the frame rate based on thermal conditions. When the processor temperature exceeds a threshold, the system reduces the frame rate from a high value (e.g., 60 FPS) to a lower value (e.g., 30 FPS or lower), allowing the processor to cool down while maintaining gameplay functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic frame rate adjustments by alternating between high frame rate periods (when thermal conditions permit) and reduced frame rate periods (when thermal thresholds are exceeded). This creates a cyclical pattern of performance optimization and thermal management.
2Productivity
If the processor operates at sustained high operating clock speed to output image data at high frame rate, then the frame rate is improved, but the battery power is drained more quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the frame rate based on battery power conditions. When the processor power consumption exceeds a threshold, the system reduces the frame rate to decrease power consumption, thereby extending battery life while maintaining acceptable gameplay performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by adjusting the frame rate in response to power consumption levels. This parameter adjustment directly correlates power usage with performance output, optimizing the balance between battery life and gaming experience.
3Temperature
If the processor reduces operating clock speed to reduce heat dissipation and battery drain, then thermal headroom and battery life are improved, but the frame rate may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic frame rate adjustments by alternating between high frame rate periods (when thermal conditions permit) and reduced frame rate periods (when thermal thresholds are exceeded). This creates a cyclical pattern of performance optimization and thermal management.
4Speed
If the system maintains high frame rate continuously, then user input responsiveness is improved, but thermal headroom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the frame rate based on thermal conditions. When the processor temperature exceeds a threshold, the system reduces the frame rate from a high value (e.g., 60 FPS) to a lower value (e.g., 30 FPS or lower), allowing the processor to cool down while maintaining gameplay functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device may determine one or more characteristics of a gaming application executing at one or more processors of the computing device. The computing device may determine a gameplay state of the gaming application executing at the one or more processors based at least in part on the one or more characteristics. The computing device may adjust, based at least in part on the state of the gaming application, a target frame rate of image data outputted by the gaming application for display at a display device. The computing device may output, based at least in part on the adjusted target frame rate, the image data for display at the display device.