Power Management Data Package Firmware Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ACPI compliant operating systems impose size limitations on power management data packages, which become a challenge as the complexity of computing platforms increases and more platforms need to be supported by a single firmware/BIOS image.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a firmware service that modifies the power management data package to comply with operational requirements by reordering and recalculating the size of descriptions of variable platform devices, replacing non-present devices with a Noop opcode, and updating the package header to maintain compliance with size limits of ACPI tables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single firmware/BIOS image supports more platforms with different device combinations, then platform versatility is improved, but the size of the power management data package increases beyond operating system limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The power management data package is segmented into two distinct parts: a first plurality of descriptions for always-present fixed platform devices, and a second plurality of descriptions for potentially-present variable platform devices. This segmentation allows the operating system to access only the necessary device descriptions, preventing the entire package from exceeding size limitations while maintaining support for multiple platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the descriptions of variable platform devices from the main power management data package and places them in a separate, accessible location. The operating system can retrieve these extracted descriptions when needed, allowing the core package to remain within size limits while still providing access to descriptions for numerous variable devices across different platforms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the power management data package includes descriptions for many variable platform devices, then device coverage is improved, but compliance with operating system size limits deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary organization of device descriptions by separating them into fixed and variable categories before the operating system processes them. This preliminary action ensures that the power management data package delivered to the operating system contains only the essential fixed device descriptions that comply with size limits, while descriptions for variable devices are prepared separately for on-demand access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the separate storage and retrieval system for variable device descriptions) that mediates between the need for comprehensive device coverage and the operating system's size constraints. This intermediary allows the system to maintain compliance with size limits while still providing access to descriptions for a large number of variable platform devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with provision of power management data packages are disclosed herein. In embodiments, an apparatus may include one or more processors, memory to store a power management data package having a first plurality of descriptions of always present fixed platform devices and a second plurality of descriptions of potentially present variable platform devices; and firmware coupled with the one or more processors and memory to provide basic input/output services to an operating system operated by the one or more processors, wherein the operating system has an operational requirement for the power management data package. The basic input/output services may include a service to modify the power management data package to bring the power management data package into compliance with the operational requirement of the operating system. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.