Multi-Processor Power Control Under Acoustic and Battery Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-processor laptops, power allocation between the CPU and GPU is often arbitrary, leading to inefficient utilization of total available processor power, reducing overall computing performance.
Innovation Solution
Implement a power control system with a joint processor acoustic controller and a joint processor power controller that dynamically adjust power settings for the CPU and GPU based on ambient conditions, compute loads, and user preferences to optimize performance while adhering to acoustic and battery drain rate limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If processor power is allocated between CPU and GPU based on best guess, then power allocation can be simplified, but processor power utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the operational status of both CPU and GPU, including task queue depths and processing speeds. Based on this feedback, the power allocation is dynamically adjusted to ensure optimal utilization. The CPU provisions computational tasks to the GPU at a rate that matches the GPU's processing capacity, preventing both idle GPU cycles and CPU bottlenecks.
Solution Approach 2:
The power allocation system transitions from static best-guess allocation to dynamic adjustment based on real-time system conditions. The patent modulates processor power allocation between CPU and GPU as ambient conditions and computing workload change, allowing the system to adapt to varying demands and maintain optimal efficiency across different operating scenarios.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If CPU core frequency is modulated to prevent fan noise from exceeding specified acoustic level, then acoustic performance is improved, but processing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts CPU core frequency based on acoustic constraints and computational workload. When acoustic levels are acceptable, the CPU operates at higher frequencies for maximum performance. When fan noise approaches specified limits, the frequency is modulated downward to maintain acoustic compliance. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the trade-off between acoustic performance and processing throughput based on real-time conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If CPU core frequency is modulated to ensure specified battery drain rate is met, then battery drain rate control is improved, but processing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic frequency modulation to maintain battery drain rate within specified limits while maximizing processing performance. The CPU core frequency is adjusted in real-time based on the difference between current and target battery drain rates. This allows the system to extend battery runtime when necessary while maintaining acceptable performance levels, and to increase performance when battery conditions permit.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of controlling power consumption in a multi-processor computing device, the method comprises: determining a target sound level for the multi-processor computing device; determining one or more candidate fan speed combinations for a first fan associated with a first temperature-controlled device included in the multi-processor computing device and a second fan associated with a second temperature-controlled device included in the multi-processor computing device based on the target sound level; determining a temperature error for one of the first temperature-controlled device, the second temperature-controlled device, or a third temperature-controlled device included in the multi-processor computing device based on the one or more candidate fan speed combinations and a measured temperature value for one of the first temperature-controlled device, the second temperature-controlled device, or the third temperature-controlled device; determining a value for a first power setting associated with the first temperature-controlled device based on the temperature error; and causing the first temperature-controlled device to perform one or more operations based on the value for the first power setting.