Trimming voltage provided by a power supply unit to an information handling system to reduce power consumption at the information handling system

Controlling power consumption at an IHS, including receiving electrical power associated with an initial voltage at a first time; determining that the IHS is to enter a low-power state, and in response: adjusting an UVP parameter for the electrical power from a first voltage to a second voltage, the second voltage less than the first voltage, the second voltage based on the low-power state; adjusting an OCP parameter for the electrical power from a first amperage to a second amperage, the second amperage less than the first amperage, the second amperage based on the low-power state; trimming the initial voltage of the electrical power to a trimmed voltage, the trimmed voltage less the initial voltage and greater than the second voltage; adjusting the power state of the IHS to the low-power state; receiving the electrical power having the trimmed voltage at a second time after the first time.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates generally to an information handling system, and in particular, controlling power consumption at an information handling system.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, energy conservation and carbon reduction have become an important policy in the world by enhancement of environmental protection consciousness and global climate warming problem.

SUMMARY

Innovative aspects of the subject matter described in this specification may be embodied in a method of controlling power consumption at an information handling system, the method comprising: receiving, at a voltage regulator module of the information handling system, electrical power from a power supply unit (PSU), the electrical power associated with an initial voltage at a first time; determining that the information handling system is to enter a low-power state; in response to determining that the information handling system is to enter the low-power state: adjusting, by a voltage regulator module at the information handling system, an undervoltage protection (UVP) parameter for the electrical power provided to the voltage regulator module from a first voltage to a second voltage, the second voltage less than the first voltage, the second voltage based on the low-power state; adjusting, by the PSU, an overcurrent protection (OCP) parameter for the electrical power from a first amperage to a second amperage, the second amperage less than the first amperage, the second amperage based on the low-power state; trimming, by the PSU, the initial voltage of the electrical power to a trimmed voltage, the trimmed voltage less the initial voltage and greater than the second voltage; adjusting the power state of the information handling system to the low-power state; and receiving, at the voltage regulator module and when the information handling system is in the low power state, the electrical power having the trimmed voltage at a second time after the first time.

Other embodiments of these aspects include corresponding systems and apparatus.

These and other embodiments may each optionally include one or more of the following features. For instance, the low-power state is an advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) S3 state. The low-power state is an advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) S5 state. The trimmed voltage is less than the first voltage. Adjusting the power state of the information handling system includes adjusting the information handling system from an advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) S0 state to the low-power state. After adjusting the power state of the information handling system, further comprising: determining that the information handling system is to enter a working power state; in response to determining that the information handling system is to enter the working power state: adjusting, by the PSU, the OCP parameter for the electrical power from the second amperage to the first amperage, the first amperage based on the working power state; adjusting, by the voltage regulator module, the UVP parameter for the electrical power from the second voltage to the first voltage, the first voltage based on the working power state; adjusting, by the PSU, the trimmed voltage of the electrical power to the initial voltage, the initial voltage based on the working power state; adjusting the power state of the information handling system to the working power state; and receiving, at the voltage regulator module, the electrical power having the initial voltage at a third time after the second time. After adjusting the OCP parameter, comparing a duty cycle of a signal representing the power state of the information handling system to a time threshold; and determining, based on the comparing, that the duty cycle of the signal is greater than the time threshold, and in response, adjusting the UVP parameter for the electrical power from the second voltage to the first voltage. Determining, based on the comparing, that the duty cycle of the signal is less than or equal to the time threshold, and in response, maintaining the low-power state of the information handling system.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT(S)

This disclosure discusses methods and systems for controlling power consumption of an information handling system. In short, parameters such as an undervoltage protection (OVP) and overcurrent protection (OCP) associated with the information handling system and a power supply unit (PSU) providing power to the information handling system can be adjusted. As such, the voltage provided by the PSU to the information handling system can be trimmed, leading to a reduction in power consumption of the information handling system for enhancing efficiency at the information handling system.

Specifically, this disclosure discusses a system and a method for controlling power consumption at an information handling system, including receiving, at a voltage regulator module of the information handling system, electrical power from a power supply unit (PSU), the electrical power associated with an initial voltage at a first time; determining that the information handling system is to enter a low-power state; in response to determining that the information handling system is to enter the low-power state: adjusting, by a voltage regulator module at the information handling system, an undervoltage protection (UVP) parameter for the electrical power provided to the voltage regulator module from a first voltage to a second voltage, the second voltage less than the first voltage, the second voltage based on the low-power state; adjusting, by the PSU, an overcurrent protection (OCP) parameter for the electrical power from a first amperage to a second amperage, the second amperage less than the first amperage, the second amperage based on the low-power state; trimming, by the PSU, the initial voltage of the electrical power to a trimmed voltage, the trimmed voltage less the initial voltage and greater than the second voltage; adjusting the power state of the information handling system to the low-power state; and receiving, at the voltage regulator module and when the information handling system is in the low power state, the electrical power having the trimmed voltage at a second time after the first time.

Particular embodiments are best understood by reference toFIGS.1-4wherein like numbers are used to indicate like and corresponding parts.

Turning now to the drawings,FIG.1illustrates a block diagram depicting selected elements of an information handling system100in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, information handling system100may represent different types of portable information handling systems, such as, display devices, head mounted displays, head mount display systems, smart phones, tablet computers, notebook computers, media players, digital cameras, 2-in-1 tablet-laptop combination computers, and wireless organizers, or other types of portable information handling systems. In one or more embodiments, information handling system100may also represent other types of information handling systems, including desktop computers, server systems, controllers, and microcontroller units, among other types of information handling systems. Components of information handling system100may include, but are not limited to, a processor subsystem120, which may comprise one or more processors, and system bus121that communicatively couples various system components to processor subsystem120including, for example, a memory subsystem130, an I/O subsystem140, a local storage resource150, and a network interface160. System bus121may represent a variety of suitable types of bus structures, e.g., a memory bus, a peripheral bus, or a local bus using various bus architectures in selected embodiments. For example, such architectures may include, but are not limited to, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, PCI-Express bus, HyperTransport (HT) bus, and Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus.

In information handling system100, I/O subsystem140may comprise a system, device, or apparatus generally operable to receive and/or transmit data to/from/within information handling system100. I/O subsystem140may represent, for example, a variety of communication interfaces, graphics interfaces, video interfaces, user input interfaces, and/or peripheral interfaces. In various embodiments, I/O subsystem140may be used to support various peripheral devices, such as a touch panel, a display adapter, a keyboard, an accelerometer, a touch pad, a gyroscope, an IR sensor, a microphone, a sensor, or a camera, or another type of peripheral device.

Local storage resource150may comprise computer-readable media (e.g., hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, CD-ROM, and/or other type of rotating storage media, flash memory, EEPROM, and/or another type of solid state storage media) and may be generally operable to store instructions and/or data. Likewise, the network storage resource may comprise computer-readable media (e.g., hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, CD-ROM, and/or other type of rotating storage media, flash memory, EEPROM, and/or other type of solid state storage media) and may be generally operable to store instructions and/or data.

InFIG.1, network interface160may be a suitable system, apparatus, or device operable to serve as an interface between information handling system100and a network110. Network interface160may enable information handling system100to communicate over network110using a suitable transmission protocol and/or standard, including, but not limited to, transmission protocols and/or standards enumerated below with respect to the discussion of network110. In some embodiments, network interface160may be communicatively coupled via network110to a network storage resource170. Network110may be a public network or a private (e.g. corporate) network. The network may be implemented as, or may be a part of, a storage area network (SAN), personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a virtual private network (VPN), an intranet, the Internet or another appropriate architecture or system that facilitates the communication of signals, data and/or messages (generally referred to as data). Network interface160may enable wired and/or wireless communications (e.g., NFC or Bluetooth) to and/or from information handling system100.

In particular embodiments, network110may include one or more routers for routing data between client information handling systems100and server information handling systems100. A device (e.g., a client information handling system100or a server information handling system100) on network110may be addressed by a corresponding network address including, for example, an Internet protocol (IP) address, an Internet name, a Windows Internet name service (WINS) name, a domain name or other system name. In particular embodiments, network110may include one or more logical groupings of network devices such as, for example, one or more sites (e.g. customer sites) or subnets. As an example, a corporate network may include potentially thousands of offices or branches, each with its own subnet (or multiple subnets) having many devices. One or more client information handling systems100may communicate with one or more server information handling systems100via any suitable connection including, for example, a modem connection, a LAN connection including the Ethernet or a broadband WAN connection including DSL, Cable, Ti, T3, Fiber Optics, Wi-Fi, or a mobile network connection including GSM, GPRS, 3G, or WiMax.

The information handling system100can also include a power consumption computing module190. The power consumption computing module190can be included by the memory subsystem130. The power consumption computing module190can include a computer-executable program (software). The power consumption computing module190can be executed by the processor subsystem120.

In short, the power consumption computing module190can facilitate adjustment of such parameters as an undervoltage protection (OVP) and overcurrent protection (OCP) associated with the information handling system100and a power supply unit (PSU) providing power to the information handling system100. As such, the voltage provided by the PSU to the information handling system100can be trimmed, leading to a reduction in power consumption of the information handling system100for enhancing efficiency at the information handling system100.

Turning toFIG.2,FIG.2illustrates an environment200including an information handling system202. The information handling system202can include a power consumption computing module210, a voltage regulator module212, a power supply unit (PSU)204, and a computing device214. In some examples, the information handling system202is similar to, or includes, the information handling system100ofFIG.1. In some examples, the power consumption computing module210is the same, or substantially the same, as the power consumption computing module190ofFIG.1.

The power consumption computing module210can be in communication with the voltage regulator module212and the PSU204. The PSU204can provide power to the information handling system202, and in particular, the voltage regulator module212. The voltage regulator module212can provide power to the computing device216. In some examples, the power consumption computing module210can be an embedded controller (EC), or include by the EC. The computing device216can include any device requiring power.

FIG.3illustrates a flowchart depicting selected elements of an embodiment of a method300for controlling power consumption at the information handling system202. The method300may be performed by the information handling system100, the information handling system202, the power consumption computing module210, the voltage regulator module212, and/or the PSU204, and with reference toFIGS.1-2. It is noted that certain operations described in method300may be optional or may be rearranged in different embodiments.

The information handling system202is in the working-power state, at301. In some examples, the working power state is a normal (nominal) state. In some examples, the working power state is an advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) S0 state.

The voltage regulator module212receives electrical power from the PSU204, at302. The electrical power provided by the PSU204to the voltage regulator module212is associated with an initial voltage at a first time. In some examples, the initial voltage is 12 volts. In some examples, the initial voltage is 19.5 volts.

The power consumption computing module210can determine that the information handling system202is to enter a low-power state, at304. That is, the power consumption computing module210can determine that the information handling system202is to enter a low-power state from a working power state. For example, a pin associated with the power consumption computing module210can be disabled (voltage level high) indicating the low-power state. In some examples, the low-power state is a sleep and/or standby state. In some examples, the low-power state is an advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) S3 state. In some examples, the low-power state is a ACPI S5 state.

In response to determining that the information handling system202is to enter the low-power state, the voltage regulator module212adjusts an undervoltage protection (UVP) parameter for the electrical power provided to the voltage regulator module212from a first voltage to a second voltage, at306. In some examples, the second voltage is less than the first voltage. For example, the first voltage can be 8.6 volts. For example, the first voltage can be 9.5 volts. For example, the second voltage can be 6 volts.

In some examples, the second voltage is based on the low-power state. That is, the value of the second voltage for the UVP is based on the voltage that the low-power state is associated with. That is, the low-power state can be associated with a respective voltage to maintain the low-power state. For example, the voltage associated with the low-power state can be 5.5 volts. The second voltage can be based on the low-power state to be greater than 5.5 volts.

Further in response to determining that the information handling system202is to enter the low-power state, the PSU204adjusts an overcurrent protection (OCP) parameter for the electrical power provided to the voltage regulator module212from a first amperage to a second amperage, at308. In some examples, the second amperage is less than the first amperage.

In some examples, the second amperage is based on the low-power state. That is, the low-power state can be associated with a respective amperage to maintain the low-power state. For example, the second amperage can be 100% to approximately 140% of a required amperage to maintain the low-power state.

Further in response to determining that the information handling system202is to enter the low-power state, the PSU204trims the initial voltage of the electrical power provided to the voltage regulator module212to a trimmed voltage, at310. That is, the PSU204trims the initial voltage of the electrical power to the trimmed voltage less than the initial voltage. For example, the trimmed voltage is 6.5 volts and the initial voltage is 12 volts. For example, the trimmed voltage is 6.5 volts and the initial voltage is 19.5 volts.

The PSU204trims the initial voltage of the electrical power to the trimmed voltage to reduce power consumption for enhancing efficiency at the information handling system202.

In some examples, the trimmed voltage is greater than the second voltage. For example, the trimmed voltage is 6.5 volts and the second voltage is 6 volts.

In some examples, the trimmed voltage is less than the first voltage. For example, the trimmed voltage is 6.5 volts and the first voltage is 8.6 volts. For example, the trimmed voltage is 6.5 volts and the first voltage is 9.5 volts.

Further in response to determining that the information handling system202is to enter the low-power state, the power consumption computing module210adjusts the power state of the information handling system202to the low-power state, at312. That is, the power consumption computing module210adjust the power state of the information handling system202from a ACPI S0 state to the low power state. For example, the power consumption computing module210adjust the power state of the information handling system202from a ACPI S0 state to a ACPI S3 state. For example, the power consumption computing module210adjusts the power state of the information handling system202from a ACPI S0 state to a ACPI S5 state.

The voltage regulator module212receives electrical power from the PSU204after the information handling system202has entered the low-power state, at314. That is, the voltage regulator module212receives electrical power from the PSU204when the information handling system202is in the low power state, having the trimmed voltage at a second time after the first time. In some examples, the trimmed voltage is 6.5 volts.

The information handling system202is in the low-power state, at315. In some examples, the low-power state is an ACPI S3 state. In some examples, the low-power state is an ACPI S5 state.

FIG.4illustrates a flowchart depicting selected elements of an embodiment of a method400for controlling power consumption at the information handling system202. The method400may be performed by the information handling system100, the information handling system202, the power consumption computing module210, the voltage regulator module212, and/or the PSU204, and with reference toFIGS.1-2. It is noted that certain operations described in method400may be optional or may be rearranged in different embodiments.

The information handling system202is in the low-power state, at401. In some examples, the low-power state is an ACPI S3 state. In some examples, the low-power state is an ACPI S5 state.

The power consumption computing module210can determine that the information handling system202is to enter a working-power state, at402. That is, the power consumption computing module210can determine that the information handling system202is to enter a working power state from a low-power state. For example, a pin associated with the power consumption computing module210can be enabled (voltage level low) indicating the working power state. In some examples, the working power state is a normal (nominal) state. In some examples, the working power state is an advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) S0 state.

In response to determining that the information handling system202is to enter the working power state, the PSU204adjusts the OCP parameter for the electrical power provided to the voltage regulator module212from the second amperage to the first amperage, at404. In some examples, the first amperage is based on the working power state. That is, the working power state can be associated with a respective amperage to maintain the working power state. For example, the first amperage can be 100% to approximately 140% of a required amperage to maintain the working power state.

Further in response to determining that the information handling system202is to enter the working power state and after adjusting the OCP parameter, the power consumption computing module210compares a duty cycle of a signal representing the power state of the information handling system202to a time threshold, at406. In some examples, the time threshold is 1 second. In some examples, the time threshold is 2 seconds.

In some cases, the power consumption computing module210determines, based on the comparing, that the duty cycle of the signal is greater than or equal to the time threshold. For example, the power consumption computing module210determines that the duty cycle of the signal is greater than or equal to two seconds.

In response to determining that the duty cycle of the signal is greater than or equal to the time threshold, the voltage regulator module212adjusts the UVP parameter for the electrical power provided to the voltage regulator module212from the second voltage to the first voltage, at408. In some examples, the first voltage is based on the working power state. That is, the value of the first voltage for the UVP parameter is based on the voltage that the working power state is associated with. That is, the working power state can be associated with a respective voltage to maintain the working power state.

Further in response to determining that the duty cycle of the signal is greater than the time threshold, the PSU204adjusts the trimmed voltage of the electrical power provided to the voltage regulator module212to the initial voltage, at410. That is, the PSU204adjusts the trimmed voltage of the electrical power back to the initial voltage.

In some examples, the initial voltage is based on the working power state. That is, the value of the initial voltage for the information handling system is based on the voltage that the working power state is associated with. That is, the working power state can be associated with a respective voltage to maintain the working power state.

Further in response to determining that the duty cycle of the signal is greater than the time threshold, the power consumption computing module210adjusts the power state of the information handling system202to the working power state, at412. That is, the power consumption computing module210adjust the power state of the information handling system202from a ACPI S3 or S5 state to the working power state. For example, the power consumption computing module210adjust the power state of the information handling system202from a ACPI S3 state to a ACPI S0 state. For example, the power consumption computing module210adjusts the power state of the information handling system202from a ACPI S5 state to a ACPI S0 state.

Further in response to determining that the duty cycle of the signal is greater than the time threshold, the voltage regulator module212receives electrical power from the PSU204after the information handling system202has entered the working power state, at414. That is, the voltage regulator module212receives electrical power from the PSU204when the information handling system302is in the working power state, having the initial voltage at a third time after the second time.

The information handling system202is in the working-power state, at415. In some examples, the working power state is a normal (nominal) state. In some examples, the working power state is the ACPI S0 state.

In some cases, the power consumption computing module210determines, based on the comparing, that the duty cycle of the signal is less than the time threshold. For example, the power consumption computing module210determines that the duty cycle of the signal is less than two seconds.

In response to determining that the duty cycle of the signal is less than the time threshold, the power consumption computing module210maintains the low-power state of the information handling system, at416.

For example, the power consumption computing module210maintains the power state of the information handling system202as the ACPI S3 state. For example, the power consumption computing module210maintains the power state of the information handling system202as the ACPI S5 state.