Embedded Controller Handling of SoC Low-Power Transition Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information Handling Systems (IHSs) face challenges in transitioning to low-power modes due to inability to satisfy conditions required for power state transitions, often caused by SoCs failing to release hardware resources, leading to abrupt termination and loss of information or error states.
Innovation Solution
The Embedded Controller (EC) monitors the transition process, identifies and releases hardware resources prevented by the SoC, and terminates running hardware drivers to facilitate a graceful transition to a low-power operating state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the SoC maintains hardware resources active to ensure data processing capability, then processing reliability is improved, but the ability to transition to low-power state deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The EC performs preliminary monitoring of power state transition conditions before the actual transition occurs. It checks whether the SoC has released hardware resources in advance, and if not, the EC terminates the hardware drivers beforehand to prevent transition failure, ensuring both reliability and successful low-power entry.
2Loss of energy
If the SoC releases hardware resources to enable low-power transition, then power savings are improved, but processing capability and data availability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The EC continuously monitors the transition process and receives feedback from the SoC regarding hardware resource status. Based on this feedback, the EC dynamically adjusts by terminating specific hardware drivers that are preventing transition, ensuring resources are released for power savings while maintaining system control and data integrity through coordinated management.
3Reliability
If the EC monitors and intervenes in the transition process, then transition reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EC acts as an intermediary between the SoC and hardware drivers during power state transitions. It monitors the transition process and intervenes by terminating hardware drivers that prevent successful transition. This intermediary role simplifies the overall control architecture by centralizing transition management in the EC, reducing the complexity burden on the SoC while improving transition reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include an Information Handling System (IHS) that is adapted to address power state transition failures by an IHS. An Embedded Controller (EC) of the IHS detects a request for the IHS to transition to a low-power operating state, such as a modern standby power state. The EC monitors for progress of the IHS in transitioning to the low-power operating state. Based on the monitoring, the EC determines the SoC is preventing the transition by the IHS to the low-power operating state. The EC identifies and releases hardware resources of the IHS that are referenced by the SoC and that are preventing the transition of the IHS to the low-power operating state.