Power System Controller for IHS Power Budget Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information handling systems (IHS) face challenges in managing power excursions by processors, leading to the need for larger and costlier Power Supply Units (PSUs) to prevent shutdowns, which is not feasible in dense designs or those requiring redundant PSUs.

Innovation Solution

An IHS configuration system that includes a power system controller to determine a first system power budget based on the maximum load current of processor systems and adjust it to create a second system power budget that does not exceed the power output limit, thereby preventing power system shutdowns by intelligently managing peak power spikes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the PSU is sized to accommodate processor power excursions up to Pmax, then the PSU capacity is sufficient to prevent shutdowns, but the PSU becomes larger and costlier

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePSU shutdown preventionVSAvoidPSU size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The power system controller proactively monitors processor power consumption and predicts upcoming power excursions before they occur. By detecting trends in processor activity and anticipating peak power demands, the controller takes preliminary action to prepare the PSU, allowing it to handle excursions without requiring excessive capacity margin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of processor power consumption, thermal conditions, and PSU output. The controller uses this real-time feedback to dynamically adjust PSU operation, enabling the PSU to respond precisely to actual power needs rather than being sized for worst-case scenarios. This feedback loop allows smaller PSUs to maintain reliability by adapting to actual system conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the PSU is sized to accommodate processor power excursions up to Pmax, then the PSU capacity is sufficient to prevent shutdowns, but the system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePSU shutdown preventionVSAvoidSystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Volume of moving object

If the PSU capacity is reduced for dense IHS designs, then the system density increases, but the PSU may shut down during power excursions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSystem densityVSAvoidPSU shutdown prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The PSU operation is made dynamic rather than static. The power system controller continuously adjusts PSU output based on real-time processor demands, thermal conditions, and predicted power excursions. This dynamic operation allows the PSU to deliver higher peak power when needed despite having lower average capacity, enabling dense system designs to maintain reliability without requiring oversized power supplies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If redundant PSUs are required for reliability, then the system reliability increases, but the system complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSystem reliabilityVSAvoidPSU redundancy configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10365701B2Information handling system configuration for power system output capability

Publication Date: 2019.07.30 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An IHS configuration system includes a plurality of IHS components including a processor system having a first maximum load current. A power system controller is coupled to the plurality of IHS components and operable to couple to a power supply. The power system controller is operable to retrieve a power output limit of the power system and determine a first system power budget for the plurality of IHS components using the first maximum load current of the processor system. The power system controller then determines whether the first system power budget exceeds the power output limit and, in response to the first system power budget exceeding the power output limit, the power system controller provides a second maximum load current for the processor system to create a second system power budget that does not exceed the power output limit.