Server Power Management Subsystem Dynamic Current Throttling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power management systems in datacenters suffer from 'stranded power' due to oversized power supply units, voltage sag issues, and inability to support newer generation server devices with higher power requirements, leading to inefficient power utilization and reduced fault tolerance.

Innovation Solution

An Information Handling System (IHS) with a power management subsystem that monitors input current draw, determines if it exceeds a set limit, and throttles system components to reduce the current below the limit, allowing for dynamic power allocation and redundancy across multiple power grids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If power supply units are oversized to meet peak power demands, then fault tolerance and availability are improved, but stranded power occurs leading to inefficient power utilization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidstranded power

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power capping that adjusts power limits in real-time based on actual system conditions. The power management subsystem continuously monitors power consumption and dynamically modifies power caps for different server devices, allowing oversized PSUs to operate efficiently without causing stranded power. This resolves the contradiction by making the power allocation flexible rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes power limit parameters dynamically based on monitored conditions. By adjusting power cap values in response to actual power consumption patterns and system state, the patent enables oversized power supply units to deliver power efficiently without creating stranded power, while maintaining the reliability benefits of having excess capacity available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If power capping is applied to reduce stranded power, then power utilization efficiency is improved, but indirect protection mechanism becomes complex requiring current limit to power limit conversion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower utilization efficiencyVSAvoidprotection mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional hardware-based current limiting mechanisms with a software-based power management subsystem. This subsystem uses firmware to implement power capping and protection logic, eliminating the need for complex hardware conversion circuits and simplifying the overall protection mechanism while maintaining power utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The power management subsystem automatically performs power limit conversions and enforcement without requiring external intervention. The system self-manages the conversion from current limits to power limits and dynamically adjusts caps based on monitored conditions, reducing the complexity of manual configuration and management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If power limits are set based on lowest operable voltage to protect against voltage sag, then circuit breaker protection is ensured, but significant stranded power occurs reducing available power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit breaker protectionVSAvoidstranded power

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the power management subsystem continuously monitors actual voltage levels and power consumption. Based on this real-time feedback, the system dynamically adjusts power caps to match actual operating conditions, ensuring circuit breaker protection is maintained while avoiding the excessive conservatism of static low-voltage-based limits that cause stranded power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If single per-server-device power limit levels are used, then configuration simplicity is maintained, but newer generation server devices cannot operate at full capacity and fault tolerance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoidserver device power capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different power cap values to different server devices based on their individual characteristics and requirements. Instead of a uniform power limit, the system configures device-specific power caps that match the actual power needs of each server device, enabling newer generation devices to operate at full capacity while maintaining simplified centralized configuration management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11520396B2Power management system

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A power management system includes a first power grid coupled to a first circuit breaker, and a first power distribution unit coupled to the first circuit breaker. A server device includes server components, and at least one first power supply unit coupled to the first power distribution unit. A power management subsystem in the server device is coupled to the server components and the at least one first power supply unit. The power management subsystem monitors a first input current draw of each first power supply unit, and determines whether the first input current draw exceeds a first input current limit that is based on the first circuit breaker. In response the first input current draw exceeding the first input current limit, the power management subsystem throttles the server components to reduce the first input current draw below the first input current limit.