Power Manager Constraints Multi-Dimensional Parameter Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management techniques in computer systems fail to optimally balance energy consumption and performance, leading to incorrect resource usage and quality of service (QoS) issues, as they do not effectively account for interdependencies between system entities and hardware limitations.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for dynamically managing power consumption and system resources by retrieving and aggregating constraints from the application layer, identifying feasible operating modes in a multi-dimensional parameter space, and selecting optimal configurations for device drivers to operate within, ensuring system-wide optimization of performance and power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If low power mode is activated to optimize power consumption, then energy usage is reduced, but system performance deteriorates and quality of service cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts operating modes of device drivers based on current system state and constraints, allowing transitions between performance-optimized and power-optimized configurations rather than static mode selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters of device drivers (such as clock frequencies, voltage levels, buffer sizes) to find optimal trade-offs between power consumption and performance based on multi-dimensional constraint analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If prior art power management approaches are used, then some power optimization is achieved, but incorrect system configuration occurs due to wrong view of resource usage and availability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower optimizationVSAvoidresource usage tracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where device drivers report their actual resource usage and constraints to the power manager, which then uses this information to make accurate system-wide optimization decisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The power manager serves multiple functions: it collects constraints from all device drivers, aggregates them into a unified model, determines feasible operating regions, and coordinates system-wide configuration, providing a comprehensive view of resource usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If hardware limits are reached due to high number of resource requests from different system entities, then system behavior becomes incorrect and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource request handlingVSAvoidsystem behavior correctness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary aggregation of constraints from all device drivers before reaching hardware limits, allowing the power manager to proactively adjust operating modes to prevent constraint violations and maintain reliable system behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If best effort QoS approach is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but power optimization fails when entities are unaware of QoS fulfillment failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidpower optimization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from QoS monitoring to inform power management decisions, allowing entities to adjust their operation when QoS fulfillment fails while maintaining overall system simplicity through centralized coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The power manager acts as an intermediary between QoS requirements and power management, translating QoS fulfillment status into appropriate power optimization actions without requiring direct complexity in individual entities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8452992B2Power management using constraints in multi-dimensional parameter space

Publication Date: 2013.05.28 STMICROELECTRONICS SRL

AI summary

An embodiment of a method and system are provided for managing both system resources and power consumption of a computer system, involving different layers of the system: an application layer, a middle layer where the operating system is running and where a power manager is provided, and a hardware layer used for communicating with the hardware devices. Hardware devices have different operating modes which provide distinct trade-offs between performances and power consumption. Performance requirements defined at the level of the application layer, as well as the device power status of the system, set constraints on the system resources. The middle layer power manager may be in charge of retrieving performance requirements in form of constraints set on system parameters, aggregating these constraints opportunely and communicating corresponding information to the device drivers which may then select a best operating mode.