Memory Subsystem Power Management via Dynamic Extender Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current information handling systems face challenges in managing power consumption due to electrical limitations and manufacturing constraints, leading to increased power usage and heating issues as they attempt to meet growing processing demands with limited memory modules.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a controller that determines the status of memory modules and power supplies, enabling the disabling of memory extenders and voltage regulators to conserve power, particularly in energy-saving configurations or when unpopulated slots are detected, thereby optimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of memory modules is increased to meet processing demands, then data storage capacity is improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by enabling the controller to selectively activate or deactivate memory modules and memory extenders based on real-time processing demands. This allows the system to scale power consumption dynamically rather than operating at fixed high power levels, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high storage capacity and reducing power usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by enabling individual memory modules and memory extenders to be activated or deactivated independently based on specific processing needs. Rather than powering the entire memory subsystem at full capacity, only the necessary portions are activated, thereby maintaining storage capacity when needed while reducing power consumption when full capacity is not required.
2Speed
If high-speed devices are used to increase data retrieval speed, then processing speed is improved, but power consumption and heating problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between high-speed operation modes and low-power standby modes based on processing demands. The controller monitors system needs and periodically activates high-speed memory extenders only when rapid data retrieval is required, otherwise keeping them in a lower-power state, thus achieving speed when needed while minimizing continuous power consumption.
3Speed
If memory extenders are continuously activated to maintain communication bandwidth, then data transmission speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the activation state of memory extenders variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts whether memory extenders are activated based on real-time assessment of communication bandwidth requirements, allowing the system to maintain high transmission speeds when necessary while reducing power consumption during periods of lower demand.
4Quantity of substance
If the number of memory modules is increased to meet processing demands, then data storage capacity is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling selective activation of individual memory modules and memory extenders based on specific processing needs. This allows the system to concentrate computational activity in fewer modules when possible, reducing the overall heat generation across the memory subsystem while maintaining the required storage capacity through targeted activation rather than universal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an information handling system may include a processor, a power supply coupled to the processor, a memory device communicatively coupled to the processor, where the memory device may include (1) a plurality of memory modules, and (2) a memory extender configured to extend a communication bandwidth of the plurality of memory, and a controller coupled to the memory device. The controller may be configured to determine a status of the power supply and/or one or more of the memory modules, and based at least on the determined status, disable the memory extender.