Processor Peak Power Control for Battery Voltage Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing peak power in System-on-Chip (SoC) generations is limited by IR drop, causing the supply voltage to fall below a minimum threshold, which challenges maintaining performance, especially in battery mode, where battery wear-out, temperature variations, and state of charge complicate maintaining performance without risking system shutdown.
Innovation Solution
A Peak Power Manager (PPM) driver implements power throttling and Intel's Dynamic Tuning Technology to dynamically calculate and set the SoC peak power limit and threshold voltage, optimizing performance by adjusting these parameters based on battery state and system conditions to prevent unexpected shutdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the SoC peak power is increased to improve performance, then the processing speed and capability are enhanced, but the supply voltage drops below the minimum threshold due to IR drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the processor peak power limit based on real-time battery conditions (state of charge, temperature, wear-out level). The PPM driver continuously monitors battery parameters and adjusts the power limit accordingly, allowing the system to operate at higher performance levels when battery conditions permit while maintaining voltage stability when they don't.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by adjusting the peak power limit setting based on battery state of charge, temperature, and wear-out metrics. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the processor to operate at optimal performance levels while preventing voltage droop that would cause shutdowns.
2Productivity
If the processor operates at higher peak power in battery mode, then performance is improved, but the risk of unexpected shutdown increases due to voltage drop
Solution Approach 1:
The PPM driver implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors battery parameters (state of charge, temperature, wear-out level) and adjusts the processor peak power limit accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the processor operates at the maximum safe power level without causing voltage droop that would trigger shutdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of battery conditions before allowing the processor to operate at high power levels. By evaluating battery state of charge, temperature, and wear-out metrics in advance, the system prevents operation that would lead to voltage drop and shutdown, allowing high performance only when battery conditions can support it.
3Productivity
If the peak power limit is set high to maximize performance, then the SoC can operate closer to maximum capability, but the supply voltage falls below minimum threshold during high current draw
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the peak power limit based on real-time battery conditions including state of charge, temperature, and wear-out level. This allows the processor to operate at high performance levels when battery conditions permit while automatically reducing the power limit when battery voltage cannot support high current draw, preventing supply voltage from falling below the minimum threshold.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for higher SoC peak power limits in battery mode without violating minimum system voltage levels, enhancing performance and preventing throttling events from negatively impacting SoC performance, thereby enabling the SoC to operate closer to its maximum capability without risking shutdown.
Implementation Method 1
calculating a processor peak power limit based on battery no-load voltage, battery impedance, and a minimum voltage level of a system power rail
Data Source
AI summary
A driver (e.g., a firmware or software) that improves the performance of the system-on-chip (SoC) in battery mode. The driver is a Peak Power Manager (PPM) which allows drastically higher SoC peak power limit levels (and thus higher Turbo performance) in battery mode. The PPM sets the Vth threshold voltage (the voltage level at which the platform will throttle the SoC) in such a way as to prevent the system from unexpected shutdown (or black screening). The PPM calculates the Psoc,pk SoC Peak Power Limit (e.g., PL4), according to the threshold voltage (Vth). These are two dependent parameters, if one is set, the other can be calculated. The scheme by the PPM is used to optimally set one parameter (Vth) based on the system parameters, and the history of the operation.