PCIe Link State Control via BIOS Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing PCI Express standard's Active State Power Management (ASPM) function reduces power consumption by transitioning links to a standby state during idle periods, but this causes delays when restoring to active state, degrading system performance and limiting actual data transfer speed.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a BIOS that dynamically switches between performance and power-saving modes, allowing or prohibiting the ASPM function based on the operation mode, ensuring the link remains in an active state during performance mode and transitions to lower power states during power-saving mode, thereby maintaining system performance and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the ASPM function is always used to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but system performance is degraded due to delays when restoring the link from standby state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ASPM function configurable rather than fixed. The BIOS provides two operation modes (first mode and second mode) that dynamically change the behavior of the ASPM function based on system state, allowing the system to adapt between power-saving and performance-optimized configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the ASPM function by introducing mode-specific control. In the first operation mode, the ASPM function is disabled, keeping the link in active state for maximum performance. In the second operation mode, the ASPM function is enabled to reduce power consumption. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by allowing optimization based on specific operational requirements.
2Loss of energy
If the link is set in standby state during idle periods, then power consumption is reduced, but a delay occurs when restoring to active state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the link state management dynamic through BIOS-controlled operation modes. The system can switch between maintaining the link in active state (first mode, no delay but higher power consumption) and allowing transition to standby state (second mode, power saving but with restoration delay), enabling adaptive response to different operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the ASPM function behavior through BIOS settings before operation. The system预先 determines whether to enable or disable ASPM based on the selected operation mode, allowing the link to be in the optimal state (active or standby) before communication needs arise, thus avoiding unnecessary restoration delays.
3Loss of energy
If the ASPM function is enabled, then power consumption during idle state is reduced, but the actual data transfer speed is not affected only if link remains in active state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing mode-specific ASPM configuration. In the first operation mode, ASPM is disabled to maintain the link in active state, ensuring maximum data transfer speed. In the second operation mode, ASPM is enabled to reduce power consumption during idle periods. This parameter change allows the system to optimize for either speed or power consumption based on specific operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes first and second devices that are interconnected via a communication path, each of the first and second devices having a communication path control function for transitioning a state of the communication path between an active state and a standby state, based on whether the communication path is in an idle state or not, a unit that switches an operation mode of the apparatus between a first mode in which priority is placed on performance and a second mode in which priority is placed on power saving, and a unit that permits execution of the communication path control function in a case where the operation mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode, and prohibits execution of the communication path control function in a case where the operation mode is switched from the second mode to the first mode.