Dynamic Power Budget Allocation for Information Handling Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing power requirements of information handling systems, driven by multi-core processors and other computing elements, make traditional power budgeting based on theoretical peak and dynamic power requirements costly and inefficient, as these systems often exceed sustainable power capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic power budget allocation system that includes a power system controller capable of retrieving power usage data, projecting future power requirements, and programming power settings for powered subsystems to manage power allocation dynamically, avoiding excessive power demands and optimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power budgeting is based on theoretical peak and dynamic power requirements, then power system capacity is increased to handle worst-case scenarios, but system cost and inefficiency increase due to excessive guard banding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power budget allocation that adjusts power distribution in real-time based on actual system needs rather than static worst-case assumptions. The system continuously monitors power consumption and reallocates power budgets dynamically, allowing the power system to adapt to changing workload conditions and eliminate excessive guard banding while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by monitoring actual power consumption patterns and using this information to adjust power budget allocations. This closed-loop approach allows the system to learn from actual usage patterns and optimize power distribution, preventing both over-provisioning and under-provisioning of power resources.
2Power
If power system capacity is increased to handle worst-case theoretical power requirements, then power availability is improved, but system cost increases due to oversized power infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allocating power budgets based on actual needs rather than providing full capacity for all possible worst-case scenarios simultaneously. The system provides just enough power capacity to handle realistic workload combinations, eliminating the excessive guard banding that occurs when designing for theoretical maximums that rarely occur in practice.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of power budget allocation from fixed worst-case values to dynamic values based on actual system state and workload conditions. This allows the power system to operate efficiently at lower capacities during normal conditions while maintaining the ability to handle peak loads when necessary.
3Device complexity
If conventional monitoring and throttling mechanisms are used, then power control is simplified, but response time is insufficient to handle rapid processor state transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-positioning power budgets for different system states and workload scenarios. When rapid processor transitions occur, the system can immediately apply pre-determined power allocations rather than calculating and responding in real-time, significantly reducing response time while maintaining manageable complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic power budget allocation system includes a plurality of powered subsystems. A power system controller is coupled to the plurality of powered subsystems. The power system controller is operable, for each of a plurality of time intervals, to retrieve power usage data from each of the plurality of subsystems during a current time interval. The power system controller is then operable to project power requirements for the plurality of subsystems for a subsequent time interval using the power usage data. The power system controller is then operable to determine at least one power setting for at least one of the plurality of subsystems using the power requirements, and program the at least one of the plurality of subsystems with the at least one power setting. Each powered subsystem may include a voltage regulator that provides the power usage data and is programmed with the at least one power setting.