Critical FPGA Sensor Identification for IHS Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information Handling Systems (IHS) face challenges in efficiently managing airflow cooling due to the high volume of temperature sensor data, leading to potential malfunctions and component failures when sensor data is unavailable, causing the cooling system to resort to less efficient open-loop cooling.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that identify critical temperature sensors within IHS, determine alert level thresholds, rank sensors based on these thresholds, and designate a subset for use by the airflow cooling system, allowing for closed-loop airflow cooling even when some sensors fail, thereby reducing unnecessary fan speed settings and maintaining efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all temperature sensors are used for closed-loop cooling control, then cooling precision is improved, but system complexity and data processing burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature sensors into different priority groups (critical, important, optional) based on their location and importance to system cooling. This segmentation allows the system to selectively process data from only the most critical sensors, reducing data processing complexity while maintaining effective cooling control at key thermal zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and identifies a subset of critical temperature sensors from the complete sensor set based on predetermined criteria such as proximity to high-power components and thermal sensitivity. By taking out only the essential sensors for cooling control, the system achieves effective thermal management with reduced computational burden.
2Reliability
If sensor data from all temperature sensors is processed, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but data processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides temperature sensors into priority tiers, processing data from critical sensors first and using that information for immediate cooling decisions. This segmented processing approach ensures that the most time-sensitive thermal management actions are taken based on the most important temperature readings, reducing overall processing time while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by processing temperature data from only the critical subset of sensors required for effective cooling control, rather than processing data from all sensors. This partial processing approach provides sufficient information for timely cooling decisions without the computational overhead of analyzing every sensor reading.
3Ease of operation
If the cooling system uses open-loop control with preset fan speeds, then system simplicity is maintained, but cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a segmented control approach where critical temperature sensors trigger closed-loop control responses while less critical sensors maintain simpler monitoring. This segmentation allows the system to apply sophisticated closed-loop control only where necessary, preserving overall system simplicity while improving cooling efficiency at critical thermal zones.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the cooling system reverts to open-loop control when sensor data is unavailable, then system stability is maintained, but cooling efficiency and reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares contingency plans in advance by identifying critical sensors and predetermined cooling responses before failures occur. When sensor failures happen, the system can immediately switch to appropriate fallback cooling strategies for the affected zones, maintaining system stability while minimizing the impact on overall cooling efficiency through pre-planned compensatory measures.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are described for identifying critical sensors of a device, such as a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) card, installed within an IHS (Information Handling System). A remote access controller identifies temperature sensors provided by the device and determine alert level thresholds for each of the sensors. The temperature sensors are ranked based on the respective ranges of the alert level thresholds. A first portion of the temperature sensors with the smallest ranges of alert level thresholds are assigned to a first ranked list. Readings from the temperature sensors are monitored and temperature sensors indicating temperature sensor readings rising faster than a first threshold are assigned to a second ranked list. A portion of the temperature sensors in the first ranked list and a portion of the temperature sensors in the second ranked list are designated for use by an airflow cooling system of the IHS.