Power Supply Modulation for Low-Latency Thermal Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power management systems in portable computing devices suffer from communication latency issues between processor subsystems and power controllers, leading to inefficient thermal mitigation due to unpredictable latencies in detecting over-current conditions, which can result in either premature or delayed thermal management.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a power controller that modulates the supply voltage with a distinguishable modulation signal and uses adaptive clock distribution circuitry to compensate for voltage fluctuations, allowing for precise timing of thermal mitigation by integrating an interrupt signal from the adaptive clock distribution circuitry with a timer to ensure timely reduction of processing load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power controllers are placed far from the power distribution unit to reduce voltage drop, then voltage stability is improved, but communication latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments communication into two paths: a control communication path for critical power control signals and a data communication path for non-critical data. This segmentation allows critical control signals to use dedicated hardware interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART) with guaranteed timing, while non-critical data can use higher-layer protocols, thereby resolving the latency issue without compromising voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication architecture with multiple layers (physical layer, data link layer, network layer, application layer) that mediates between the power controllers and the host system. This intermediary structure enables different communication protocols to coexist and allows critical control signals to bypass higher-layer processing delays, thus reducing latency while maintaining stable power control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If higher-layer communication protocols are used for flexibility and functionality, then adaptability is improved, but communication latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication protocol is segmented into multiple layers with different priorities. The physical layer and data link layer handle time-critical control signals with deterministic timing, while upper layers (network layer, application layer) provide flexible data communication. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both adaptability through higher-layer protocols and low latency through dedicated lower-layer control paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system dynamically selects different protocols and paths based on the nature of the data being transmitted. Critical power control signals use hardware-based protocols (SPI, I2C, UART) with guaranteed timing, while non-critical data uses higher-layer protocols with greater flexibility. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between flexibility and latency.
Data Source
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AI summary
In controlling power in a portable computing device ("PCD"), a power supply input to a PCD subsystem may be modulated with a modulation signal when an over-current condition is detected. Detection of the modulation signal may indicate to a processing core of the subsystem to reduce its processing load. Compensation for the modulation signal in the power supply input may be applied so that the processing core is essentially unaffected by the modulation signal.