Node Activity Phase Control to Reduce Power Ripples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power capping in systems with multiple computer nodes leads to significant power consumption fluctuations, known as power ripples, which can cause faulty operations and damage to electronic components, and existing solutions may not adapt optimally to changes in the number of nodes.
Innovation Solution
A power capping controller dynamically adjusts the phases of activity control indications based on the presence indicators of computer nodes, spreading out transitions between operational states to reduce power ripples and maintain power consumption within a specified threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If power capping is applied to multiple computer nodes, then power consumption is controlled below a threshold, but significant power consumption fluctuations occur causing faulty operations and component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing phased transitions for activity control indications. Instead of simultaneous on/off switching, the controller distributes transitions across different time phases, creating a periodic pattern that smooths power consumption fluctuations while maintaining overall power capping effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically adjusting phase offsets based on the number of active computer nodes. The system adapts its transition timing in real-time, modifying the phase distribution pattern according to system conditions, which optimizes power ripple reduction while maintaining reliability.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If existing power capping solutions are used, then power threshold is maintained, but the solutions do not adapt optimally to changes in the number of nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring the number of active computer nodes and using this information to adjust phase offsets. The system continuously receives feedback about system state changes and adapts its transition strategy accordingly, ensuring optimal power ripple reduction regardless of how many nodes are active.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts phase offsets based on detected changes in the number of active nodes. This dynamic adaptation allows the power capping mechanism to maintain effectiveness whether 2 nodes or 10 nodes are active, providing versatility across different system configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a controller includes an interface to receive presence indicators associated with computer nodes, and a processor to determine, based on the presence indicators, a quantity of a set of computer nodes that are present in a system, and adjust, based on the determined quantity, phases of activity control indications provided to the computer nodes of the set of computer nodes, wherein the adjusting is to vary a first phase of a first activity control indication of the activity control indications relative to a second phase of a second activity control indication of the activity control indications.