Information Handling Processor Configuration for Thermal Excursions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems experience thermal excursions, leading to skin temperatures exceeding predetermined limits, which can be mitigated by disabling processing units progressively, starting with low-power efficiency units and moving to high-power performance units until the temperature drops below the limit.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing thermal excursions by identifying and enabling/disabling processing units based on power and frequency comparisons, using efficiency and performance units to maintain temperature within limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If processing units are disabled to reduce skin temperature, then thermal safety is improved, but processing capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the configuration of processing units based on real-time thermal conditions. When skin temperature exceeds the threshold, the system transitions from a high-performance configuration to a reduced-power configuration by disabling specific processing units, and restores the original configuration when thermal conditions improve, creating a dynamic response to thermal challenges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the processor by modifying which processing units are enabled or disabled. This parameter change allows the system to reduce power consumption and heat generation when thermal limits are approached, while maintaining full functionality when thermal conditions permit.
2Speed
If high-power performance processing units are used, then processing speed is improved, but thermal output worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The processor is segmented into different types of processing units (efficiency processing units and performance processing units), allowing the system to selectively enable or disable specific segments based on thermal conditions. This segmentation enables fine-grained control over power consumption and heat generation while maintaining processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different processing unit configurations based on real-time thermal monitoring. When skin temperature is within the threshold, high-power performance units are enabled for maximum speed; when the threshold is exceeded, the system dynamically disables performance units and relies on efficiency units to reduce thermal output.
3Stability of the object's composition
If processing units are reconfigured to manage thermal excursions, then thermal stability is improved, but system complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where skin temperature is continuously monitored and compared against a threshold. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the processing unit configuration to maintain thermal stability, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to thermal conditions in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-regulation of its thermal state by automatically monitoring its own temperature and adjusting its own configuration. The embedded controller detects thermal excursions and independently manages the processing unit enablement/disabling without requiring external intervention, allowing the system to self-correct thermal issues.
Data Source
AI summary
Managing thermal excursions at an information handling system, including identifying a default processing unit configuration of a processor, the processor including a plurality of processing units, the plurality of processing units include efficiency processing units and performance processing units; identifying a minimum frequency for each processing unit of the plurality of processing units; identifying a steady state power limit associated with the processor; identifying a current power of the processor; comparing the current power of the processor with the steady state power limit; determining, based on comparing the current power of the processor with the steady state power limit, that the current power of the processor is less than the steady state power limit; and enabling, in response to determining that the current power of the processor is less than the steady state power limit, one of the efficiency processing units.