Dynamic Power Supply Configuration for Information Handling Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face challenges in efficiently determining and optimizing power supply unit configurations to manage varying load conditions and ensure reliability, as existing systems lack a systematic method to dynamically adjust power supply modes based on current power requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that generate a history table by triggering power supplies to operate in different combinations of active and sleep modes at various percentage loads, allowing a controller to determine the required power configuration and adjust power supply units accordingly, ensuring optimal operation and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power supplies are pre-configured in fixed active or sleep modes during system configuration, then system reliability is ensured through redundant power supplies, but power efficiency is reduced because the configuration cannot adapt to varying load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power supply configuration where the controller continuously monitors system load conditions and automatically adjusts PSU states (active, sleep, hot-spare, cold spare) based on real-time requirements. This transforms the static pre-determined configuration into a dynamic adaptive system that optimizes power efficiency while maintaining reliability through on-demand redundancy activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller receives information about current power consumption and load conditions, then uses this feedback to intelligently determine optimal PSU configurations. The controller adjusts power supply states based on feedback loops that monitor system requirements, enabling the system to maintain reliability only when necessary while improving overall power efficiency.
2Power
If multiple power supplies operate in active mode to handle full load capacity, then power availability is ensured for high peak currents, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary operation of power supplies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by activating only the necessary number of power supplies based on current load requirements rather than keeping all power supplies in active mode. The controller dynamically determines the optimal number of active PSUs, activating additional power supplies only when load conditions require them, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining sufficient power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of power supplies by transitioning PSUs between different states (active, sleep, hot-spare, cold spare) based on varying load conditions. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain power availability when needed while minimizing power consumption during lower load conditions by adjusting the operational state of power supplies.
3Reliability
If power supplies are designed to handle the full load of the server safely, then system safety and reliability are improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply functionality by dividing the power delivery task among multiple PSUs that can dynamically share the load. Instead of requiring each individual PSU to handle the full server load capacity, the system segments the power delivery responsibility across multiple units, allowing each PSU to be smaller while collectively providing full load capacity and enhanced reliability through redundant configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method determines power supply unit configurations in an information handling system. The method includes determining, via a controller, a first amount of power required to operate functional components of the IHS. A history table is retrieved containing a plurality of power supply unit (PSU) configurations and PSU data. The method further includes determining if the history table contains a first PSU configuration corresponding to the first amount of power. In response to determining that the history table contains the first PSU configuration corresponding to the first amount of power, the PSUs identified as active mode PSUs in the first PSU configuration are triggered to be in an active mode and operating at the corresponding percentage load and the PSUs identified as sleep mode PSUs in the first PSU configuration are triggered to be in a sleep mode.