Dynamic Power Control for Volatile Memory Cache Flush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face challenges in efficiently transferring data from volatile memory to persistent memory before power is removed, especially when operating on battery power, as the time required increases with cache size, potentially draining battery life.
Innovation Solution
An embedded controller dynamically assesses the amount of information in volatile memory and adjusts the power supply time to ensure data is moved to persistent memory before power is removed, minimizing power consumption and extending battery run time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the cache size in volatile memory is increased to store more information, then the amount of information that can be processed is improved, but the time required to transfer data to persistent memory increases and battery power is depleted faster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power control that adjusts the power supply duration based on the actual cache size. The embedded controller continuously monitors the amount of data in volatile memory and dynamically determines the optimal time to maintain power for flushing cache to persistent memory, making the power consumption adaptive rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the time parameter of power supply based on cache size measurements. When cache contains minimal data, power is removed quickly; when cache is full, power is maintained longer. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by matching power consumption to actual data transfer requirements
2Quantity of substance
If the cache size increases, then more information can be stored in volatile memory, but the time needed to move information to persistent memory increases
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded controller implements a feedback mechanism that measures the actual cache size and uses this information to determine the appropriate power maintenance duration. This closed-loop control ensures that power is supplied for exactly the time needed to flush the current cache contents, preventing both premature power removal and unnecessary extended power supply
3Use of energy by moving object
If power is removed quickly to preserve battery life, then energy consumption is reduced, but data in volatile memory may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of cache contents before power removal. The embedded controller evaluates whether volatile memory contains critical unflushed data and uses this preliminary information to make an informed decision about whether to extend power supply temporarily, thus preventing data loss while avoiding unnecessary power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for ensuring information present in volatile memory is moved to persistent memory before power is removed. An information handling system stores a time value corresponding to an amount of time for power to be supplied to the information handling system after a signal is received to power down the information handling system. An embedded controller determines the amount of information present in volatile memory, determines an amount of time needed to move the information to persistent memory, and adjusts the time value as needed to ensure power is supplied to the system until the information has been moved to persistent memory.