Virtual Temperature Sensor for Dynamic Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer systems face challenges in accurately managing temperature due to non-uniform temperature distribution and the dynamic nature of component configurations, leading to reduced performance and excessive cooling noise, as traditional thermal management systems struggle to optimally place temperature sensors and account for varying thermal loads.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a virtual temperature sensor system that uses mathematical models and operating parameters to derive system temperature, incorporating power sensors, configuration information, and ambient temperature sensors to provide accurate temperature representation across different configurations, allowing for dynamic thermal management and throttle settings to maintain optimal performance within thermal limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temperature sensors are placed in fixed locations, then the system can maintain stable thermal monitoring, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates when component configurations change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic temperature sensor placement that adapts to changing component configurations. The system automatically determines optimal sensor locations based on real-time configuration data, ensuring measurement accuracy is maintained regardless of whether components are added or removed from the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual temperature sensor readings by interpolating data from multiple physical sensors. This virtual sensor approach provides accurate temperature measurements for dynamic configurations without requiring physical sensors to be moved or reinstalled, maintaining both stability and precision.
2Reliability
If the system assumes worst-case thermal scenarios, then thermal safety is ensured, but system performance is reduced due to excessive cooling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop thermal management system that continuously monitors actual temperature measurements from optimally placed sensors and adjusts cooling operations accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to operate at optimal performance levels while maintaining thermal safety, avoiding the excessive cooling required by worst-case assumptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts thermal management parameters based on real-time configuration and temperature data. By changing cooling operational parameters (such as fan speed or liquid coolant flow rate) according to actual thermal conditions rather than worst-case scenarios, the system achieves both safety and performance optimization.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are installed to cover all configurations, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal temperature monitoring approach where a fixed set of physical sensors serves multiple measurement purposes across different configurations. By using mathematical models and interpolation techniques, the same physical sensors provide accurate temperature data for various system configurations, eliminating the need for configuration-specific sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent generates virtual temperature sensor readings through computational interpolation from a limited set of physical sensors. This copying approach creates additional measurement points without adding physical sensors, maintaining comprehensive temperature coverage while minimizing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a data processing system includes a virtual temperature sensor to provide system temperature for different system configurations, and a controller coupled to the sensor to control operations of the data processing system according to the virtual temperature. The virtual temperature sensor typically derives the temperature of a particular configuration of the data processing system using mathematical models or one or more operating parameters of the data processing system. In one example, the mathematical models include a characterization table which provides the measured temperature data from various system configurations. These measurements are performed with temperature sensors positioned in ideal locations for different configuration, and are preprocessed to provide the virtual temperature computation. The characterization table also includes thermal characteristics, such as thermal time constant and thermal resistance, of the critical components at multiple thermal control states.