Method and apparatus to modify power requirements for a system

• US 7,155,625 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2001
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Child, Ronald J., Meredith, Christopher A., Cohen, Paul M.
• Primary Examiner(s): DU, THUAN N
• Application Number:
  US09/852,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20020194517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,057 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/321, 713/323, 713/324, 713/340, 323/234, 323/304, 323/318, 324/522, 324/771
• US Class Current: 713/340
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C

Abstract

A method and apparatus to modify power levels for devices in a system in response to changes in power conditions is described. A power level of a power supply providing power to a plurality of devices is monitored. A change in the power level of the power supply is detected, a modification signal is created to modify the operating power level of at least one of the plurality of devices and the modification signal is sent to the device.

Claims

1. A method to modify power to a system, comprising:

monitoring a power level for a power supply providing power to a plurality of devices stored in a physical rack, with each device having an operating power level and a priority factor;

detecting a change in said power level for said power supply;

creating a modification signal, based on a change in said power level of said power supply, to modify an operating power level of at least one of said plurality of devices from a first operating power level to a second operating power level, said second operating level based on an amount of change in said power level and said priority factor; and

sending said modification signal to said at least one of said plurality of devices.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving said modification signal at said at least one of said plurality of devices; and

modifying said operating power level for said at least one of said plurality of devices in accordance with said modification signal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said modifying comprises reducing said operating power level for said at least one of said plurality of devices in accordance with said modification signal.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said modifying comprises increasing said operating power level for said at least one of said plurality of devices in accordance with said modification signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said creating comprises:

selecting said at least one of said plurality of devices;

determining an amount to modify said operating power level of said at least one of said plurality of devices; and

creating said modification signal to modify said operating power level for said at least one of said plurality of devices using said amount.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said detecting comprises detecting a current power level for said power supply.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said selecting comprises retrieving said at least one of said plurality of devices from a power table using said current power level.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said determining said amount to modify comprises retrieving said amount to modify from said power table associated with said at least one of said plurality of devices.

9. A method to modify power to a system, comprising:

receiving a modification signal, based on a change to a power level of a power supply, to modify an operating power level for a device of a plurality of devices stored in a physical rack and connected to a power supply from a first operating power level to a second operating power level, said second operating level based on an amount of change in said power level and a priority factor of said device;

determining an amount to modify said device; and

modifying said operating power level in accordance with said determination.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said determining comprises retrieving said amount from a power table.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said determining comprises retrieving said amount from said modification signal.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a power supply to provide power at a power supply power level;

a plurality of devices stored in a physical rack and connected to said power supply, said plurality of devices to operate at an operating power level; and

a system power modification unit connected to said power supply and said plurality of devices, said power modification unit to detect a change in said power supply power level and to modify said operating power level of at least one of said plurality of devices from a first operating power level to a second operating power level, said second operating level based on an amount of change in said power level and a priority factor of said device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said system power modification unit comprises:

a power sensor to detect said change; and

a power modification signal generator connected to said power sensor to generate said modification signal when said power sensor detects said change.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said power modification signal generator generates said modification signal to indicate an amount to modify said operating power levels.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said power modification signal generator generates said modification signal to indicate a reduction in said operating power levels.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said power modification signal generator generates said modification signal to indicate an increase in said operating power levels.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a device power modification unit to receive said modification signal, and to modify said operating power levels in accordance with said modification signal.

18. An article comprising:

a storage medium;

said storage medium including stored instructions that, when executed by a processor, result in modifying power to a system by monitoring a power level for a power supply providing power to a plurality of devices stored in a physical rack, with each device having an operating power level and a priority factor, detecting a change in said power level for said power supply, creating a modification signal, based on said change in said power level, to modify an operating power level of at least one of said plurality of devices from a first operating power level to a second operating power level, said second operating level based on an amount of change in said power level and said priority factor, and sending said modification signal to said at least one of said plurality of devices.

19. The article of claim 18, wherein the stored instructions, when executed by a processor, further result in receiving said modification signal at said at least one of said plurality of devices, and modifying said operating power level for said at least one of said plurality of devices in accordance with said modification signal.