HDD Power Consumption Grading via Component Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring hard disc drive (HDD) power consumption are impractical for in-field use in servers, as they require external equipment mainly for failure analysis or design evaluation, failing to provide necessary power consumption information to users for optimizing power usage in data centers.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine a power consumption grade for HDDs by calculating the power consumption of individual components, such as spindle motor, SoC, voltage regulator, and preamp, using empirical factors and coefficients, allowing for factory and in-field grading to inform optimal usage based on power consumption levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external equipment is used to measure HDD power consumption, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power consumption measurement function from external measurement equipment and relocates it to the HDD controller itself. The controller measures power consumption of individual components (spindle motor, preamp, VCM motor, ASIC) internally and generates a power consumption grade without requiring external devices, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while enabling in-field usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The HDD controller is given multiple functions: it not only controls the HDD operations but also measures power consumption of individual components and generates power consumption grades. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement equipment while maintaining measurement capability.
2Ease of operation
If power consumption measurement is simplified for in-field use, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total power consumption measurement into individual component measurements (spindle motor, preamp, VCM motor, ASIC). The controller measures each component's power consumption separately using internal sensors and calculations, then combines these to determine overall power consumption grade, achieving both simplicity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the power consumption sources (individual components) and the user. It internally measures and processes power consumption data from various components and presents the results as a simplified power consumption grade to the user, maintaining measurement precision while simplifying user interaction.
3Productivity
If power consumption information is provided for optimal HDD deployment, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by determining power consumption grades during HDD manufacturing or initialization. The controller pre-calculates power consumption characteristics and assigns grades before the HDD is deployed to data centers, allowing users to make informed deployment decisions without requiring complex real-time measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the complex multi-parameter power consumption data (individual component consumptions) into a simplified parameter representation (power consumption grade). This parameter transformation maintains the information needed for optimal deployment decisions while simplifying the data structure and reducing complexity for users.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for electronic device power consumption grading. In some examples, similar electronic devices may consume different amounts of power due to variations in components of the electronic devices. The components can include electrical components (e.g., discrete circuits, integrated circuits, etc.), mechanical components (e.g., motors, traces, etc.), electro-mechanical components (e.g., switches, motors, piezoelectric devices, etc.). Power consumption information for specific components can be determined and a power consumption grading for the specific electronic device can be determined from the power consumption information. A user may then utilize the power consumption grading to optimize a usage of the electronic device.