Pre-Runtime Fan Control Using Stored Safe Startup Speeds
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computing systems, especially edge servers, the initial thermal management before the thermal monitoring system is fully initialized leads to fans running at maximum speed, causing excessive noise, which is annoying and potentially harmful due to noise levels exceeding 87 dB for several minutes.
Innovation Solution
A pre-runtime fan control system that sets safe fan speeds based on a recorded high-water value, stored in non-volatile memory, allowing fans to operate at a previously safe speed within seconds of system events like reboot or startup, and adjusts this value based on temperature and enclosure changes, ensuring noise reduction and thermal safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fans run at maximum speed during system initialization before thermal monitoring is fully initialized, then thermal safety is ensured, but excessive noise is generated exceeding 87 dB
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining safe fan speeds based on historical thermal data before the thermal monitoring system is fully initialized. The system uses previously collected thermal information to set appropriate fan speeds in advance, avoiding the need to run fans at maximum speed during initialization while still ensuring thermal safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using historical thermal monitoring data to inform fan speed decisions during system initialization. The system feeds back previously safe operating conditions to the fan control mechanism, allowing it to operate at optimized speeds rather than defaulting to maximum speed, thus reducing noise while maintaining safety.
2Reliability
If fans are set to preset maximum speed during pre-runtime, then component protection is achieved, but noise annoyance and potential harm occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by preparing optimized fan speed settings based on historical thermal data before runtime begins. This allows the fan control system to start with pre-calculated safe speeds rather than maximum speeds, protecting components while avoiding excessive noise during the critical initialization period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the fan speed parameter from the default maximum value to optimized values derived from historical thermal monitoring data. This parameter adjustment maintains component protection while significantly reducing noise levels during system startup and pre-runtime operations.
3Measurement precision
If thermal monitoring system waits for full initialization before controlling fan speeds, then accurate thermal management is achieved, but fans run at maximum speed causing noise for several minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by using historical thermal monitoring data to establish safe fan speed settings before the thermal monitoring system completes full initialization. This allows accurate thermal management to begin immediately with optimized speeds rather than waiting for full system initialization, reducing noise exposure time while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the fan control system to autonomously determine appropriate speeds using previously stored thermal data during the initialization period. The system serves itself by leveraging its own historical measurements to make control decisions, eliminating the need to wait for external thermal monitoring initialization while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein relate to initializing a fan speed of a computing device using a high-water value when a pre-runtime event occurs. A management controller (MC) receives sensor data from sensors of the computing device. A fan speed of a fan is controlled using a fan control value based on the sensor data. The fan control value is monitored to determine a high-water value of the fan control value. The high-water value is stored in a location that is accessible by a pre-runtime fan control engine of the computing device. In response to a pre-runtime event, the fan speed is initialized to a speed using the high-water value.