Power Supply Efficiency Regulation via Dynamic Load Migration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Power supplies in computer systems often operate at sub-optimal efficiency due to nonlinear power-conversion efficiency characteristics, leading to increased energy consumption and costs, as they are not designed to maintain efficiency across a wide range of output loads.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses telemetry monitors to measure output loads and adjust power management parameters, such as load schedules, voltage, clock frequencies, and fan speeds, to maintain power supplies within an optimal efficiency range, employing multivariate state estimation and nonlinear regression techniques to prevent errors from faulty telemetry data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power supplies are configured to operate over a wide range of output loads, then adaptability is improved, but power-conversion efficiency deteriorates when operating away from optimal load points
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the output load of the power supply by migrating workloads between multiple power supplies based on real-time efficiency monitoring. This dynamic redistribution ensures each power supply operates within its optimal efficiency range while maintaining overall system adaptability to varying total load requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous monitoring of power-conversion efficiency through telemetry data and uses this feedback to make real-time decisions about workload migration. The feedback loop compares actual efficiency measurements against target efficiency ranges and triggers remedial actions when efficiency deviates from optimal values
2Measurement precision
If telemetry monitors are used to measure output load, then measurement precision is improved, but system complexity increases due to continuous monitoring and remedial actions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing telemetry infrastructure already present in modern computer systems to gather power supply output load data. By leveraging already-available sensors and monitoring capabilities, the system avoids adding significant hardware complexity while achieving precise efficiency measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The efficiency monitoring and control mechanism is designed to work with multiple types of power supplies and can be applied across different computer system configurations. The universal approach reuses existing system components for multiple functions: telemetry data serves both operational monitoring and efficiency optimization purposes
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a system for regulating an efficiency of a power supply in a computer system are described. During operation, the system measures an output load of the power supply using one or more telemetry monitors in the computer system. Then, the system determines if an efficiency of the power supply corresponding to the measured output load is within a predetermined range that includes an optimal efficiency of the power supply. If the efficiency is outside of the predetermined range, the system performs remedial action so that the power supply operates at an adjusted efficiency that falls within the predetermined range.