Processor Power Limit Dynamic Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for specifying a performance limit for processors in computer systems often result in overly conservative settings, leading to unnecessary performance limitations due to the need to account for additional system loads, causing performance issues and inefficient power management.

Innovation Solution

A method that records the overall system performance and processor performance, determines the difference to account for other system components' power consumption, and dynamically adjusts the processor's performance limit based on this difference, allowing for optimal operation without overloading the power supply or cooling system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the performance limit is set conservatively to account for additional system loads, then the power supply and cooling solution are protected from overloading, but the processor performance is unnecessarily limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply and cooling solution protectionVSAvoidprocessor performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The performance limit is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of additional system loads. The system continuously monitors the actual power consumption of other components and modifies the processor's performance limit accordingly, transitioning from a static conservative limit to a dynamic adaptive limit that matches actual system conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the actual power consumption of additional system loads is detected and fed back to the performance management unit. This feedback information is used to adjust the processor's performance limit, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes performance while ensuring power supply and cooling solutions are not overloaded.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the performance limit is set high to maximize processor performance, then the processor can operate at full capacity, but the power supply and cooling solution may be overloaded by additional system loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessor performanceVSAvoidpower supply and cooling solution stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of additional system loads before they can cause overloading. By monitoring the power consumption of other components in advance, the performance management unit can proactively adjust the processor's performance limit to prevent potential overloading of the power supply and cooling solutions, rather than reacting after overloading occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting the power consumption of additional system loads and preemptively reducing the processor's performance limit before the combined load can exceed the power supply and cooling solution capacity. This preventive measure counteracts the potential harmful effect of overloading before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Device complexity

If a fixed performance limit is used to simplify power management, then the implementation is straightforward, but the system cannot adapt to varying load conditions and performance is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower management implementationVSAvoidsystem performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static fixed performance limit to a dynamic adaptive limit that automatically adjusts based on detected load conditions. The performance management unit continuously monitors the power consumption of additional system loads and modifies the processor's performance limit in real-time, enabling the system to adapt to varying operational conditions without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The power management system performs self-service by automatically detecting the power consumption of additional system loads and autonomously adjusting the processor's performance limit. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for complex external control systems or manual configuration, achieving adaptability through intrinsic system capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4045999B1Method for specifying a power limit of a processor
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 FUJITSU CLIENT COMPUTING LTD
  • EP4045999B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4045999B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for specifying a power limit of a processor (2) of a computer system (1). The total power of the computer system (1) or a variable (II) which corresponds to the total power of the computer system (1) is acquired as a total power variable. Furthermore, the power of the processor (2) or a variable corresponding to the power of the processor (2) is acquired as a processor power variable. The difference between the total power variable and the processor power variable is determined, and a power limit of the processor (2) is ascertained using the difference between the total power variable and the processor power variable. The ascertained power limit of the processor (2) is set in the processor (2). In this manner, a dynamic adaptation of the power limit of the processor (2) is made possible on the basis of the additional power consumption in the computer system (1).