Mobile data storage device with predicted temperature management via command time delay

A mobile data storage device (102) may be housed in a mobile computing device (142) without an active cooling feature. The mobile data storage device (102) can have at least a controller (122) configured to delay command execution in response to a predicted mobile data storage device (102) temperature. The controller (122) can insert a plurality of delays into a command queue to prevent the mobile data storage device (102) from reaching the predicted mobile data storage device (102) temperature.

SUMMARY

Assorted embodiments a mobile data storage device housed in a mobile computing device without an active cooling feature. The mobile data storage device can have at least a controller configured to delay command execution in response to a predicted mobile data storage device temperature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The proliferation of mobile electronics into smaller form factors and greater computing capabilities, higher amounts of data are created, processed, and stored in local data storage devices, such as a rotating hard drive, solid state memory array, and hybrid data drive. Increasing network bandwidth and advances in streaming data has further increased the amounts of data being accessed by a data storage device and consequently the amount of heat being produced and power being consumed. While a data storage device can satisfy such increased data accesses without approaching operational limits by employing convective cooling via a fan, mobile electronics like tablet computers and smartphones do not have air moving capabilities. Thus, increased data usage in a mobile electronics device can threaten a data storage device's function and accuracy when a temperature management scheme is not implemented.

Accordingly, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a temperature management scheme that can optimize heat production and power consumption in a data storage portion of a mobile electronics device that doesn't have a means to provide convective cooling. That is, a data storage device housed in a mobile computing environment can have at least a controller configured to selectively adjust power consumption of the data storage device to alter a temperature of the data storage device. The ability to adjust temperature of the data storage device without the use of moving air allows rotating data storage devices like a hard disk drive to be used in mobile electronics to provide large data capacity with greater long-term integrity than solid state memory like dynamic random access (DRAM) memory and flash memory.

It is contemplated that a data storage device employing a temperature management scheme can be utilized in an unlimited variety of data storage environments that may or may not have convective cooling capabilities. However, assorted embodiments utilize a temperature managing data storage device in the example data storage system100ofFIG. 1that is displayed as a block representation. The data storage system100can engage one or more data storage devices102.FIG. 1illustrates a block representation of a portion of an example data storage device102that is equipped with a transducing head104that can respectively be positioned over selected locations on a magnetic storage medium106, such as over one or more stored data bits108organized in data tracks110.

The storage medium106can be attached to one or more spindle motors112that rotate the medium108to produce an air bearing114on which the transducing head104flies to access predetermined portion of the medium106. In this way, one or more local116processors and remote hosts118can provide controlled motion of the transducing head104and spindle112to adjust and align the transducing head104with selected data bits108. With the advent of network computing has allowed remote hosts118and storage arrays120access to a controller122through a network124via appropriate protocol.

The remote host118and local processor116can act independently or concurrently to monitor and control one or more sensors126that continuously or sporadically read operating conditions of the data storage medium106, like vibration and temperature, as well as the spindle112, such as rotational speed and power consumption. The local processor116and remote host118may further populate, organize, and execute command requests in a memory buffer128that can be configured as volatile and non-volatile memory cells to provide temporary storage of data and data information that are pending for execution by the data storage device102and controller122.

The minimization of the physical dimensions of the data storage components, like the transducing head104, can allow for implementation into mobile electronics that are continually striving for smaller form factors and greater computing capabilities.FIGS. 2A and 2Brespectively illustrate different representations of an example mobile computing system140that can be used in the data storage system ofFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 2A, the mobile computing system140may comprise one or more mobile computing devices142that can communicate data via wired and wireless pathways to static and virtual mobile devices. For example, the mobile computing device142may have a serial bus capable of wired connection to a stationary desktop and server as well as a network protocol allowing wireless connection with a virtual cloud node, server, and other mobile computing devices.

While not required or limiting, a mobile computing device142can consist of a battery144that provides power and may, or may not, be rechargeable. A cache memory146can provide short-term storage for data that may be processed by a processor148, graphically shown on a display150, and moved to a hard disk drive152for long-term storage. While the mobile computing device142can function without means for cooling the constituent components, operation of the various mobile computing components individually and collectively can serve to produce heat through the consumption of power provided by the battery144.

Regardless of the type, size, and performance of the data storage in the mobile computing device142, the heat produced from operation can jeopardize the performance of the mobile computing device142. In other words, heat is produced from solid-state memory arrays and hard disk drives and such heat can degrade the ability of those data storage means to read, write, and output data accurately. An example relationship between temperature of a mobile computing device146and power consumption of the device146over time is provided by solid line154and segmented line156. It can be appreciated that heat is retained in the mobile computing device due at least to the operation of constituent components, environmental conditions, and interaction with a user.

FIG. 3is a block representation of a portion of an example mobile computing device160constructed and operated in accordance with assorted embodiments. The mobile computing device160can have at least one data storage device162that has one or more dedicated or distributed controllers164that provide a range of computing capabilities through the execution of drivers. Various embodiments employ at least one driver to communicate with peripheral components to provide data caching166, fall protection,168, power management170, and thermal management172capabilities. These capabilities can operate exclusively, redundantly, and collectively to optimize data storage device162, and consequently mobile computing device160, performance.

While the various capabilities can be utilized in any data storage device162that is part of mobile computing device164that may or may not have cooling means, it is contemplated that the controller164selectively monitors data storage device162conditions to employ one or more capabilities to balance power consumption with heat retention in a mobile computing device that lacks cooling means. For example, the thermal172and power170management schemes may be operating concurrently before data caching166is executed. As another non-limiting example, the fall protection168capability may suspend the power170and thermal172management schemes while conducting predictive and reactive data caching166that moves data to solid-state memory for temporary storage.

The ability to employ a variety of different capabilities may be retrofitted into a data storage device162that did not previously have a controller capable of such capabilities. However, a mobile enablement kit can alternatively be pre-loaded into the data storage device152during manufacture and prior to end-user data being stored to allow the various capabilities to be activated at any time. In an anticipated use, a data storage device162can be used in a desktop computer with cooling means and subsequently installed in a mobile computing tablet without cooling means where the mobile enablement kit recognizes the lack of cooling and establishes the predetermined capabilities through the utilization of a dynamic data driver that establishes communication between the controller164and the peripheral components needed to execute the capabilities. As such, the mobile enablement kit can optimize the implementation of capabilities with minimal need for supplemental software updates.

With or without a mobile enablement kit installed on the data storage device162, the controller164can continually, sporadically, and routinely conduct the thermal management172capability to monitor heat retention in the data storage device162and activate heat dissipation measures.FIG. 4is a flowchart of an example thermal management scheme180that can be carried out by one or more controllers of a data storage device in accordance with some embodiments. Initially, the thermal management scheme180receives at least one command from a host in step182. The received command may be the reading and programming of data to a data storage medium or may be an overhead maintenance operation, like writing of metadata, error correction codes, and servo data.

In the event the commands received in step182are data access requests, the commands are logged and scheduled in a command queue that can be populated for later execution, such as during low processing and system idle times. Step184next proceeds to read the temperature of the data storage device in response to the command queue receiving at least one new command. Step184can utilize any number of temperature sensing equipment and algorithms to read the current temperature as well as predict future temperature. Such predicted temperature may be rendered from a thermal profile derived from previously logged and predicted data storage device operating temperatures. For instance, temperatures can be logged and subsequently computed as part of an algorithm to render trends and typical thermal responses to computing operations like loading an operating system, reading data, and streaming video.

Step186utilizes the derived thermal profile in comparison to the temperature reading of step184to determine how the command received in step182could affect the thermal environment within the data storage device. A measured temperature that is well below the derived thermal profile may advance routine180to the execution of one or more commands present in the command queue. However, an elevated temperature compared to the thermal profile can trigger step188to insert time delays of predetermined duration into the command queue to reduce the amount of work, and consequently the amount of heat, produced by the data storage device. In other words, step188can allow the execution of the command queue, but inserts predetermined time delays, such as 2 seconds, in between commands so that the data storage device is not constantly producing elevated amounts of heat throughout the execution of the command queue.

In some embodiments, step188strategically inserts multiple delays of different times throughout the command queue to enhance heat dissipation in the data storage device despite execution of the constituent commands. Such strategic insertion of delays can be coordinated with respect to the derived thermal profile to provide the highest probability that a stabilized temperature can be reached in step190regardless of whether the command queue has completely been executed. To clarify, step190can be arrive at due to an unlimited variety of actions, such as the use of a single command queue time delay, multiple time delays, and suspension of all data storage device operations.

With the temperature stabilized in step190, step192proceeds to reduce or remove some or all time delays present in the command queue. Such time delay modification can be a result of a data storage device temperature being below a certain threshold, such as 40° C., or the command queue being partially or fully completed. The ability to tune the command queue with time delays allows command execution and seamless user operation while controlling the temperature of the data storage device. Although the insertion of time delays into the command queue can allow heat to dissipate while the data storage device is not engaged in data access operations, the data storage device can consume power and generate heat without data access operations being conducted. For example, the spinning of data storage media can use power and generate heat via a spindle motor. Thus, the thermal management scheme180can be a useful tool to control heat and reach a desired temperature, time delays may be costly in terms of power and the amount of time needed to substantially reduce device temperature.

Accordingly, logic, like the command logic200ofFIG. 5, can be employed by a controller in accordance with various embodiments to reduce power consumption and heat generation in a data storage device. It should be noted that the command logic200is not exclusively conducted and may be partially executed while other controller capabilities, such as the thermal management scheme180, data caching166, and fall protection168, are running. Returning toFIG. 5, the arrival of a command in step202triggers the evaluation of a temperature in the data storage device and a determination if a temperature threshold has been exceeded with decision204. A temperature that exceeds the limit slows the rotational speed of the data storage media while suspending execution of the command queue in step206. The reduction in media speed and suspension of command can allow heat to dissipate quickly while decreasing the amount of power being consumed.

Upon the media rotating at a reduced speed for a predetermined time, such as 30 seconds, decision204is revisited to determine if further rotational speed reductions are in order. If so, the data storage device can experience tiers of rotational speeds that eventually may result in powering the data storage device off. However, if decision204determines that the temperature of the device is safe to conduct command execution, step208then computes a command window based at least in part on a derived thermal profile predicting how the execution of commands will affect device temperature.

As a result of step208, a window of time, power consumption, or amount of temperature fluctuation will be allowed that may, or may not, execute all the commands received in step202or resident in the command queue as step210increases the rotational speed of the data storage device and step212executes at least one command. It is contemplated that step212executes actual data access commands as well as time delays imposed by a thermal management scheme, but such execution is not required. The completion of step212for the designated command window from step208advances the logic200back to decision204where another evaluation of the temperature of the data storage device is conducted. Through the cyclical return to decision204, the logic200can continually be focused on what the temperature of the data storage device is and take actions to reduce the temperature and power consumption of the device without degrading user experience as caching of data can service short term user requests.

The logic200ofFIG. 5can serve to strategically adjust device temperatures by reducing the rotational speed of the data storage media. While the data storage device could be simply powered off at the presence of an elevated temperature, such action would be detrimental to power consumption as it takes more power to spin the media up than is saved from spinning them down. In other words, logic200provides a balance of heat dissipation with power consumption by spinning the data storage media down gradually in response to elevated temperatures. During high volume command queue conditions, such as operating system loading, logic200can provide optimized heat and power balance that maintains system performance. However, in low or sporadic command queue conditions that can correspond with the use of mobile computing devices, logic200may not balance power consumption with heat dissipation as well due to the device spinning and heat being stable below the predetermined threshold.

FIG. 6provides an example command queue profile routine220that may be carried out in accordance with various embodiments to proactively allow at least one controller to maintain optimized mobile computing device performance while conditions, like device temperature and power consumption, change. The routine220can begin by logging at least one command queue activity over time in step222. Such activity logging can be done locally and remotely in temporary or permanent storage locations.

Decision224next evaluates one or more logged command queue activities from step222to determine if a known activity profile is present. That is, decision224can evaluate the timing, situation, and sequence of logged activities to determine if a known activity profile is applicable. If no known profile fits the logged activities, step226starts a new profile that may stand alone or be implemented into another profile at a later time. If a known profile fits the logged activities, step228updates the known profile with the logged events, which may or may not alter the profile.

The registration of logged command queue activities in a new or known profile allows step230to predict future command queue activities based on the activities observed in step222. As a non-limiting example, one or more algorithms can identify trends and situations from the activity profile that have a high probability of reoccurring, which is manifested in a prediction in step230of a reduction or increase in command queue activity volume. It is noted that a command queue may have a fixed execution rate and step190can predict the volume of unexecuted and partially executed commands, such as data reads, servo data maintenance, metadata updates, cache storage maintenance, and data writes.

Although sophisticated and simple algorithms may be employed in step230, unexpected and previously non-encountered activities may occur. Decision232determines if the command queue activity predicted in step230is correct in an effort to validate, evolve, and maintain the accuracy of the activity profile as well as the algorithms used to predict future activity. A correct activity prediction triggers step234to note the command queue activity and the timing of the activity to allow the profile and associated algorithms to subsequently predict other future command queue events. If the predicted activity is wrong, decision232prompts step230to predict a new activity, which effectively deletes wrong predictions from inclusion into the activity profile or prediction algorithm.

With the ability to predict future command queue activities, like command volume and urgency, a controller can conduct measures to manage temperatures in a mobile computing device without an active cooling means, such as a fan, vacuum, or vent. The use of the thermal management scheme180ofFIG. 4, command logic200ofFIG. 5, and command queue profile routine220ofFIG. 6can be used individually and concurrently to balance power consumption with temperature control. In some embodiments, the controller of a data storage device intelligently executes the various schemes and logic to adapt to how the mobile computing device is being used. The example temperature management routine240ofFIG. 7can be carried out in accordance with various embodiments to selectively utilize a variety of different power and heat conscious schemes and logic.

Step242begins by populating a command queue while the data storage device is powered off, which is defined by no rotation of the constituent data storage media and the transducing heads being parked. It is noted that while routine240begins while a data storage device is powered off, such condition is not required or limiting as the routine240can be active while a device is in use. A populated command queue advances to step244where the power consumption and temperature of executing some or all of the command queue are predicted in relation to a derived temperature profile based on a thermal mass and previously logged power and temperature conditions. For example, the temperature alteration as a result of a data programming operation for a 5 mm data storage medium can follow a profile predicted by a performance algorithm.

The prediction of the temperature and power consumption in step244is followed by an evaluation of the temperature of the data storage device in decision246. If the temperature is too high to sustain the execution of at least some of the command queue commands, step248holds any command queue execution and returns to a temperature evaluation in decision246. A device temperature that can sustain command execution then spins up the data storage media in step250and subsequently executes command queue command for a predetermined command window. Some embodiments maintain the operational speed of the data storage media for a selected time, such as 1 minute, but such waiting is not required before step254slows the rotational speed of the media to a predetermined intermediate speed. For example, a 1000 rpm reduction and parking of the transducing heads can correspond to step254along with a significant reduction in power consumption from 1.6 W to 0.6 W.

Step254may further involve the gradual or abrupt reduction in media rotational speed depending on how and when commands populate the command queue in step256. Once the command queue does receive a prerequisite number of command queues, which may be measured in power consumed, timed to execute, or predicted heat generation, decision258again senses if the data storage device is hotter than a threshold temperature or will be hotter at the conclusion of command execution. In the event the temperature is too hot, step260flushes cache and powers the drive off while the command queue is suspended. In contrast, a cool device temperature increases the media rotational speed and executes at least one command in accordance with a command window in step262before powering the device off in step260.

It can be appreciated that routine240can provide sophisticated power and heat management through the utilization of one or more schemes and logic. However, the various aspects of routine240are not required or limiting as any portion of the routine240can be changed, added, and removed at will. For example, a step can be inserted that generates a command window, computes temperature trends via a temperature algorithm, and predictively caches operating system data while the media are at an operational speed.

Through the assorted embodiments described herein, a mobile computing device can experience temperature management despite not having cooling means. The selective and intelligent use of the thermal management scheme and command logic allows temperature to be controlled without degrading system responsiveness. Moreover, the use of the power management scheme can efficiently control data storage device operation to complement the dissipation of heat while minimizing the amount of power being consumed, which is increasingly stressed by the reduced form factor of batteries in mobile computing devices.

It will be appreciated that the technology described above can readily be utilized in any number of applications, including computing environments with cooling means. It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics of various embodiments of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, this detailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangements of parts within the principles of the present technology to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, the particular elements may vary depending on the particular application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.