Configurable Power Delivery Policy Engine for Dynamic Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern computer systems with complex power architectures, such as those using USB Type-C ports and dual-display systems with varying battery states, face challenges in managing power delivery due to a wide range of AC power levels and battery conditions, requiring sophisticated management of power delivery limits across multiple parameters.

Innovation Solution

A highly configurable power delivery management policy system that employs a policy engine interfacing with various modules, using condition, action, and algorithm tables to dynamically adjust power settings based on system conditions, allowing for user-defined variables and runtime updates without firmware changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hard-coded power delivery policies are used, then firmware implementation is simple, but adaptability to different power conditions and configurations is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to power conditionsVSAvoidfirmware implementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power delivery management is segmented into multiple independent configuration tables (condition tables, action tables, algorithm tables) that can be independently configured and updated. Each table handles a specific aspect of power management, allowing the system to adapt to different power conditions without rewriting the entire firmware logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static hard-coded policies to dynamic configurable policies where power delivery limits can be adjusted at runtime based on battery state, temperature, and power source conditions. The policy engine continuously evaluates conditions and adjusts parameters dynamically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If simple power management policies are used, then ease of operation is good, but accuracy in optimizing processor peak power is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of power optimizationVSAvoidease of policy configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A policy engine acts as an intermediary between the hardware power management and the configuration tables. This intermediary layer handles the complex evaluation of multiple conditions and selection of appropriate power delivery limits, providing high accuracy while keeping the configuration interface simple through standardized table formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses multiple configurable parameters in the algorithm tables (such as battery state thresholds, temperature thresholds, power delivery limits) that can be precisely adjusted to optimize processor peak power under different conditions, enabling fine-grained control over power management accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed firmware policies are used, then reliability is good, but flexibility for runtime updates is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for updatesVSAvoidreliability of power management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration tables are prepared in advance with predefined conditions and actions, ensuring reliable power management from the start. At the same time, the system allows runtime updates to these tables, enabling flexibility to adapt to new conditions without compromising the established reliability framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If detailed parameter monitoring is implemented, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of power parameter monitoringVSAvoidcomplexity of monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is segmented into separate condition tables that each monitor specific parameters (battery state, temperature, power source type). This segmentation allows detailed monitoring of multiple parameters while organizing the complexity into manageable, independent evaluation modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11592888B2Highly configurable power-delivery management policy

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Described are mechanisms and methods for implementing highly configurable power delivery management policies. An apparatus may comprise a first circuitry, a second circuitry, a third circuitry, and a fourth circuitry. The first circuitry may include a memory to store a first table having one or more first entries and to store a second table having one or more respectively corresponding second entries. The second circuitry may, upon the occurrence of an event, test a condition specified by an entry in the first table. The third circuitry may, upon the test of the condition having a positive result, evaluate a set of one or more parameters as specified by an entry in a second table corresponding with the entry in the first table. The fourth circuitry may initiate a power-management action based upon the evaluation of the set of one or more parameters.