Storage Power Management for SSDs in Information Handling Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

The power consumption of multiple solid state drive (SSD) cards in information handling systems is a significant issue that needs to be managed effectively, as they consume substantial energy when used in conjunction.

Innovation Solution

A storage device power consumption management module that intelligently allocates data sets across multiple physical storage devices based on application focus and historical usage, maintaining a low power state for out-of-focus applications and adjusting to an active state only when necessary, thereby minimizing overall power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple SSD cards are used to increase storage capacity and data accessibility, then the storage system's capability is improved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the storage system into multiple independent SSD cards, each capable of operating independently. The system segments data across multiple storage devices and allows selective activation, where only the necessary number of SSD cards are powered on at any given time based on system needs, rather than all cards being continuously active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes the operational state parameter of SSD cards between active and low-power states. The system monitors data access patterns and application focus status to determine when to transition SSD cards between power states, optimizing power consumption while maintaining required performance levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If SSD cards remain in active state to ensure quick data access, then data accessibility is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management where SSD cards transition between active and low-power states based on real-time system conditions. The system continuously monitors application focus status and data access patterns, adjusting the operational state of SSD cards dynamically to balance performance and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic monitoring of application focus status and data access patterns to determine when SSD cards should be activated or placed in low-power state. The system uses time-based thresholds and periodic checks to make power state transitions, ensuring that SSD cards are active only when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If all SSD cards are activated to handle multiple applications simultaneously, then application support capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication support capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the storage system universally adaptable to multiple applications by implementing a monitoring mechanism that tracks application focus status. The system can dynamically allocate storage resources to support different applications as they become active, allowing the same SSD cards to serve multiple applications sequentially rather than requiring dedicated cards for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11675413B2Reducing power consumption of memory devices at an information handling system

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Reducing power consumption at an information handling system (IHS), including identifying a first data set associated with a first application, and a second data set associated with a second application; storing the first data set at a first physical storage device, and storing the second data set at a second physical storage device; reducing a power consumption of a storage device system, including: determining that the first and second applications are out-of-focus with respect to an operating system (OS) of the IHS, and in response, maintaining a low power state of the first and the second physical storage devices; detecting that the first application is in-focus with respect to the OS of the IHS, and in response, adjusting a power state of the first physical storage device from the low power state to an active power state while maintaining the low power state of the second physical storage device.