Patent Abstract:
Systems and methods for controlling power usage of devices in information handling systems are provided. A device for use in an information handling system may include a connector and an auxiliary power connector. The connector may be configured to electrically couple to a device connector such that the device transmits and receives data via the device connector and receives electrical current from a power supply via the device connector. The auxiliary power connector may be configured to electrically couple the device to the power supply such that the device receives electrical current from the power supply via the device connector, the auxiliary power connector including at least one sense line, the at least one sense line configured to receive at least one power control signal. The device may be configured to establish its power usage in response to receiving the at least one power control signal.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates in general to information handling systems, and more particularly to power control of information handling system devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
         [0003]    During operation of an information handling system, numerous events may occur in which the available power from power supplies delivering electrical current to the information handling system and its components may decrease. To ensure effective operation of an information handling system after such a decrease in available power, it may be desired to reduce the power requirements (“throttle”) of one or more components of the information handling system, particularly such components that require higher levels of power during normal operation. When throttled, a component may enter a lower-power state in which it decreases functionality (e.g., processing and transfer of data at slower rates) but consumes less power. 
         [0004]    Traditionally, throttling of information handling system components has been performed by software. However, software-based throttling often requires significant time between the time a throttling stimulus is received and a throttling occur due to processing overhead associated with software. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the disadvantages and problems associated with controlling power usage of devices in information handling systems, and in particular throttling of devices in information handling systems, have been reduced or eliminated. 
         [0006]    In accordance with teachings of the present disclosure, a device for use in an information handling system may include a connector and an auxiliary power connector. The connector may be configured to electrically couple to a device connector such that the device transmits and receives data via the device connector and receives electrical current from a power supply via the device connector. The auxiliary power connector may be configured to electrically couple the device to the power supply such that the device receives electrical current from the power supply via the device connector, the auxiliary power connector including at least one sense line, the at least one sense line configured to receive at least one power control signal. The device may be configured to establish its power usage in response to receiving the at least one power control signal. 
         [0007]    In accordance with additional teachings of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a processor, a power supply, power control logic, and a device. The power control logic may be configured to determine whether a stimulus has been received indicative of a power availability of the power supply and transmit at least one power control signal in response to receiving the stimulus. The device may be electrically coupled to the power supply via a device connector such that the device transmits data to and receives data from the processor via the device connector and receives electrical current from a power supply via the device connector, the device comprising an auxiliary power connector configured to electrically couple the device to the power supply such that the device receives electrical current from the power supply via the device connector. The auxiliary power connector may include at least one sense line, the at least one sense line configured to receive the at least one power control signal. The device may be configured to establish its power usage in response to receiving the at least one power control signal. 
         [0008]    In accordance with further teachings of the present disclosure, a method may include transmitting and receiving data at a device via a device connector. The method may also include receiving electrical current at the device from a power supply via the device connector. The method may additionally include receiving electrical current at the device from a power supply via the auxiliary power connector. The method may further include receiving at least one power control signal at the device via at least one sense line of the auxiliary power connector. Moreover, the method may include establishing power usage for the device in response to receiving the at least one power signal. 
         [0009]    Other technical advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following specification, claims, and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of an example information handling system, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a flow chart of an example method for controlling power usage of device of an information handling system, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein like numbers are used to indicate like and corresponding parts. 
         [0014]    For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components or the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communication between the various hardware components. 
         [0015]    For the purposes of this disclosure, information handling resources may broadly refer to any component system, device or apparatus of an information handling system, including without limitation processors, busses, memories, input-output devices and/or interfaces, storage resources, network interfaces, motherboards, electro-mechanical devices (e.g., fans), displays, and power supplies. 
         [0016]    For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may include any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retain data and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable media may include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; as well as communications media such wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/or any combination of the foregoing. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of an example information handling system  100 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, information handling system  100  may comprise a computer chassis or enclosure (e.g., a server chassis holding one or more server blades). In other embodiments, information handling system  100  may comprise a storage enclosure. In yet other embodiments, information handling system  100  may be a personal computer (e.g., a desktop computer or a portable computer). As depicted in  FIG. 1 , information handling system  100  may include a processor  103 , a memory  104 , a power supply  106 , a device connector  108 , a device  110 , information handling resources  116 , and power control logic  118 . 
         [0018]    Processor  103  may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, and may include, without limitation a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. In some embodiments, processor  103  may interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data stored in memory  104  and/or another component of information handling system  100 . Although  FIG. 1  depicts information handling system  100  as including one processor  103 , information handling system  100  may include any suitable number of processors  103 . 
         [0019]    Memory  104  may be communicatively coupled to processor  103  and may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain program instructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). Memory  104  may include random access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a PCMCIA card, flash memory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitable selection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retains data after power to information handling system  100  is turned off. Although  FIG. 1  depicts information handling system  100  as including one memory  104 , information handling system  100  may include any suitable number of memories  104 . 
         [0020]    Power supply  106  may be electrically coupled to various components of information handling system  100  and may include any device, system, or apparatus operable to supply electrical energy to one or more components of information handling system  100 . Although  FIG. 1  depicts information handling system  100  as including one power supply  106 , information handling system  100  may include any suitable number of power supplies  106 . 
         [0021]    Device connector  108  may be communicatively coupled to processor  103  and electrically coupled to power supply  106 , and may be configured to receive a device  110 . In some embodiments, device connector  108  may be an integral portion of a motherboard upon which other components of information handling system (e.g., processor  103 , connectors for memory  104 , etc.) are mounted. In these and other embodiments, device connector  108  may comprise a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) expansion slot. 
         [0022]    Device  110  may be a printed circuit board or other device that may be inserted or otherwise mechanically and electrically coupled to device connector  108  in order to add functionality to information handling system  100 . Device connector  108  may establish electrical contact between device  110  and other components of information handling system  100  (e.g., processor  103  and power supply  106 ) such that device  110  may receive electrical current from power supply  106  via device connector  108  and/or may transmit and/or receive data from processor  103  via device connector  108 . For example, in embodiments in which device  110  comprises a printed circuit board, one edge of the printed circuit board may include an edge connector having electrically conductive contacts that fit into device connector  108  which establish electrical contact between electronics (e.g., integrated circuits) on device  110  and electronics on a motherboard. In some embodiments, device  110  may comprise a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) expansion card. In the same or alternative embodiments, device  110  may include a general purpose graphics processing unit (GPGPU). 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , device  110  may include one or more auxiliary power connectors  112 . An auxiliary power connector  112  may be configured to receive corresponding connectors via which electrical current may be supplied from power supply  106 , thus allowing device  110  to draw current from power supply  106  via device connector  108  and auxiliary power connectors  112 . A power connector  112  may also be associated with a sense line  114 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, power drawn via device connector  108  may remain available regardless of the available power of power supply  106 , while the maximum power drawn via auxiliary power connectors  112  may be variable and/or may be adjusted based on the available power of power supply  106 , as described in greater detail below. 
         [0024]    Sense lines  114  may be communicatively coupled to power control logic  118 , thus permitting device  108  to receive control signals from power control logic  118 , as described in greater detail below. 
         [0025]    Information handling resources  116  may be communicatively coupled to processor  103  and may include any component system, device or apparatus of an information handling system, including without limitation processors, busses, memories, input-output devices and/or interfaces, storage resources, network interfaces, motherboards, electro-mechanical devices (e.g., fans), displays, and power supplies. 
         [0026]    Power control logic  118  may be communicatively coupled to various components of information handling system  100  and may comprise any system, device, or apparatus configured to receive one or more stimuli indicative of a power availability for power supply  106  and adjust the power usage of device  110  in response to such stimuli. Examples of stimuli are described below in connection with the discussion of method  200 . In some embodiments, power control logic  118  may include a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). 
         [0027]    The operation of components of information handling system  200  may be illustrated by  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a flow chart of an example method  200  for controlling power usage of device (e.g., device  110 ), in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. According to one embodiment, method  200  may begin at step  202 . As noted above, teachings of the present disclosure may be implemented in a variety of configurations of system  100 . As such, the preferred initialization point for method  200  and the order of the steps  202 - 212  comprising method  200  may depend on the implementation chosen. 
         [0028]    At step  202 , power control logic  118  may receive stimulus indicative of a power availability for power supply  106  and/or power usage of components of information handling system  100 . In some embodiments, such stimulus may be received at startup or power on of information handling system  100  or as part of an initialization of power control logic  118  and/or another component of information handling system  100 . Among the stimuli that may be received by power control logic  118  include, without limitation:
       temperature conditions of power supply  106  or its components (e.g., voltage regulators);   events associated with memory (e.g., temperature conditions associated with memory);   commands from node manager management engine or a datacenter manager;   alerts associated with power supply  106  (e.g., output overcurrent warning, overtemperature warning, undervoltage warning);   parameters from current monitors and/or power monitors for components of information handling system  100  indicative of power draw/power requirements of such components;   commands received from an access controller (e.g., Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller); and   commands received from a chassis management controller).       
 
         [0036]    At step  204 , power control logic  118  may communicate one or more control signals to device  110  via sense lines  114  in response to receipt of the stimulus. In some embodiments, such control signals may be indicative of the amount of power (e.g., a maximum power availability) to be used by device  110 . In these embodiments, such amount may be determined based on the power availability of power supply  106 , the power usage and/or power requirements of other components of information handling system  100 , and/or any other parameters. 
         [0037]    At step  206 , device  110  may set its power usage in response to receipt of the one or more control signals. For example, based on the received control signal(s), device  110  may set a maximum amount of power to be drawn by the device  110  via auxiliary power connectors  112 . 
         [0038]    At step  208 , power control logic  118  may determine whether a stimulus has been received indicative of a change in power availability for power supply  106  and/or power usage of components of information handling system  100 . In some embodiments, such change may be a reduction in the power availability of power supply  106 . If a stimulus indicative change has been received, method  200  may proceed to step  210 . Otherwise, if such a stimulus has not been received, step  208  may repeat until such stimulus is received. The stimuli indicative of a change in power availability or power usage may be the same or similar to those described above in reference to step  202 . 
         [0039]    At step  210 , power control logic may communicate one or more control signals to device  110  via sense lines  114  in response to stimulus indicating a change in power availability. As in step  204 , such control signals may be indicative of the amount of power (e.g., a maximum power availability) to be used by device  110  and such amount may be determined based on the power availability of power supply  106 , the power usage and/or power requirements of other components of information handling system  100 , and/or any other parameters. 
         [0040]    At step  212 , device  110  may adjust its power usage in response to receipt of the one or more control signals. In instances in which the control signals arise as a result of a reduction in available power of power supply  106 , device  110  may reduce its power usage. For example, based on the received control signal(s), device  110  may adjust a maximum amount of power to be drawn by the device  110  via auxiliary power connectors  112 . In some embodiments, such reduction in power usage and/or reduction in maximum power to be drawn via auxiliary power connectors  112  may be substantially instantaneous. After completion of step  212 , method  200  may proceed again to step  208 . 
         [0041]    Although  FIG. 2  discloses a particular number of steps to be taken with respect to method  200 , method  200  may be executed with greater or lesser steps than those depicted in  FIG. 2 . In addition, although  FIG. 2  discloses a certain order of steps to be taken with respect to method  200 , the steps comprising method  200  may be completed in any suitable order. In addition, the steps comprising method  200  may be repeated, independently and/or collectively, as often as desired or required by a chosen implementation. 
         [0042]    Method  200  may be implemented using information handling system  100  or any other system operable to implement method  200 . In certain embodiments, method  200  may be implemented partially or fully in software and/or firmware embodied in computer-readable media. 
         [0043]    Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8