Processor-Calibrated Fan Control for Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information Handling Systems (IHS) face challenges in efficiently cooling internal components, leading to increased energy consumption and noise due to the need for high airflow velocities to manage heat generated during high-power operations, which can result in unnecessary energy use and distracting noise in personal devices and inefficient cooling in data centers.

Innovation Solution

The method involves measuring turbo frequencies at progressively lower temperature margins to identify the optimal temperature at which the rate of increase in turbo frequencies falls below a threshold, using this information to provide calibrated airflow cooling, allowing for efficient cooling while minimizing energy consumption and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If airflow velocity is increased to cool the processor during high-power operations, then heat dissipation is improved, but energy consumption and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessor temperatureVSAvoidcooling system energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration during manufacturing to determine the specific processor temperature threshold for each individual processor. This pre-determined threshold is stored and used during operation to control fan speed, eliminating the need for continuous complex measurements while maintaining optimal cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the control parameter from continuous temperature monitoring to a discrete threshold-based control system. By using a predetermined temperature threshold specific to each processor, the system simplifies the control logic and reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If airflow velocity is increased to support high-power operations, then cooling capacity is improved, but noise levels become distracting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessor temperatureVSAvoidcooling system noise

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the predetermined temperature threshold to control fan operation. When the processor temperature approaches the calibrated threshold, the fan speed is adjusted accordingly, providing noise-efficient cooling while maintaining processor temperature within safe operating parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If a single cooling fan is used to ventilate heated air, then device simplicity is maintained, but cooling efficiency is insufficient for high-power operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling system structureVSAvoidprocessor temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If continuous cooling is applied to maintain low temperatures, then processor performance is maximized, but energy is wasted when cooling is unnecessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessor performanceVSAvoidunnecessary cooling energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous cooling, the system uses periodic or on-demand cooling triggered by temperature thresholds. The fan operates only when necessary to maintain the processor below its calibrated temperature threshold, reducing energy waste during low-load operations while ensuring performance during high-power operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11755082B2Methods and systems for processor-calibrated fan control

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

In IHSs (Information Handling Systems), cooling is provided by increasing the airflow generated by cooling fans. However, unnecessary airflow cooling results in noise and wasted energy. An IHS processor may support faster operating frequencies when cooled below an upper threshold, but these operating frequencies drop at temperatures below a lower threshold. Embodiments provide techniques for calibrating the cooling of an IHS to the thermal characteristics of a specific processor since manufacturing variances result in processors having differing responses to cooling. A turbo frequency supported by a processor is measured at a series of temperature margins that are progressively lower than the processor's specification temperature. A rate of increase in the measured turbo frequencies is determined at each of the temperature margins. A first temperature margin is identified at which the rate of increase in turbo frequencies falls below a threshold. This margin is used in providing airflow cooling.