System and method for reduction of information handling system power state transition of audible noise

• US 7,747,878 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2005
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Bui, Vinh X., Vyssotski, Nikolai V., Kehoe, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bae; Ji H
• Application Number:
  US11/221,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20070053525A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,757 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/320, 713/323, 323/371
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/02 Reducing interference from electric apparatus by means located at or near the interfering apparatus

Abstract

Audible noise related to power state transitions of an information handling system processing component, such as the central processing unit, is reduced by randomizing the time between power state transitions. Random power state transitions are managed by an operating system module that tracks the transitions and selects random times for subsequent transitions within a predetermined time range. Alternatively, an arbitrating circuit intercepts power state transition commands and arbitrates their communication at random times. Random power state transitions reduces audible noise by spreading the frequency of the noise-causing power transition events over a wider band.

Claims

1. An information handling system comprising:

a central processing unit;

a power source operable to power the central processing unit at plural power settings;

a power manager interfaced with the central processing unit and the power source, the power manager operable to adjust the power setting of the central processing unit at periodic intervals; and

an audible noise reduction module interfaced with the power manager and operable to alter the periodic interval to adjust the power setting at irregular intervals;

wherein the periodic intervals comprise intervals of substantially 1 mS.

2. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the irregular intervals comprise random values of between 0.8 and 2 mS.

3. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the power manager comprises an operating system and the audible noise reduction module comprises a module of instructions associated with the operating system and operable to alter the periodic interval to random time intervals.

4. An information handling system comprising:

a central processing unit;

a power source operable to power the central processing unit at plural power settings;

a power manager interfaced with the central processing unit and the power source, the power manager operable to adjust the power setting of the central processing unit at periodic intervals; and

an audible noise reduction module interfaced with the power manager and operable to alter the periodic interval to adjust the power setting at irregular intervals;

wherein the power manager comprises an operating system and the audible noise reduction module comprises a module of instructions associated with the operating system and operable to;

track the time of a previous power state adjustment;

determine a time for the next power state adjustment, the determined time different than the time of the previous power state adjustment; and

direct the power state adjustment at the determined time.

5. An information handling system comprising:

a central processing unit;

a power source operable to power the central processing unit at plural power settings;

a power manager interfaced with the central processing unit and the power source, the power manager operable to adjust the power setting of the central processing unit at periodic intervals; and

an audible noise reduction module interfaced with the power manager and operable to alter the periodic interval to adjust the power setting at irregular intervals;

wherein the audible noise reduction module comprises an arbitration circuit disposed between the power manager and the central processing unit, the arbitration circuit arbitrating power adjustment commands to have random communication to the central processing unit;

wherein the arbitration circuit comprises;

a flip flop arbitrator that selectively allows or denies a power adjustment; and

a time window circuit allowing a chosen-percentage chance of allowing a flip-flop arbitrator to allow or deny a power adjustment.

6. The information handling system of claim 5 further comprising an extended allowed time window circuit interfaced with the flip flop arbitrator and operable to selectively override a denied power adjustment.

7. A method for reducing audible noise associated with power state transitions of an information handling system processing component, the method comprising:

initiating a first power state transition;

determining a random time, the random time within predetermined range; and

initiating a second power state transition at the random time;

wherein initiating a first power state transition further comprises initiating a power state transition of a central processing unit;

wherein determining a random time further comprises;

intercepting commands to initiate a power state transition; and

selectively allowing or denying communication of the commands;

wherein intercepting commands further comprises communicating the commands through a flip flop and wherein selectively allowing or denying communication further comprises setting a random allowed time window during which the flip flop allows communication of the commands.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein:

initiating a first power state transition further comprises managing power state transitions with an operating system running on the information handling system; and

determining a random time further comprises using the operating system to determine random times to initiate power state transitions.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein determining a random time further comprises:

selectively delaying communication of the commands.

10. A system for reducing audible noise associated with power state transitions of an information handling system processing component, the system comprising:

a power manager operable to transition the processing component between plural power states over an operating time; and

an audible noise reduction module interfaced with the power manager and operable to randomize the time between the transitions of the processing component to the power states;

wherein the audible noise reduction module comprises an operating system module operable to track the time of a power state transition, select a random time for the next power state transition to occur within a predetermined time range, and manage the power state transition at the random time.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the information handling system processing component comprises a central processing unit.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the predetermined time range is approximately 0.8 to 2 mS.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the audible noise reduction module comprises an arbitration circuit operable to intercept a power state transition command and selectively communicate the command at a random time.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the arbitration circuit comprises a flip flop that allows communication of the power state transition during random allowed time windows.