Method and apparatus for sensing and controlling fan speed
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorsKenny C. Gross, Aleksey M. Urmanov
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that determines fan speeds for a set of fans in a computer system. During operation, the system receives time-series data collected by a vibration transducer associated with the computer system, wherein the vibration transducer is configured to record mechanical vibrations from the set of fans. Next, the system performs a spectral analysis on the time-series data to obtain frequency peaks associated with fan speeds for individual fans in the set of fans. The system then identifies fan speeds for the individual fans in the set of fans from the frequency peaks.
Claims26
A method for determining fan speeds for a set of fans in a computer system, comprising:
- receiving time-series data collected by a vibration transducer associated with the computer system, wherein the vibration transducer is configured to record mechanical vibrations from the set of fans;
- performing a spectral analysis on the time-series data to obtain frequency peaks associated with fan speeds for individual fans in the set of fans;
- and
- identifying fan speeds for the individual fans in the set of fans from the frequency peaks.
A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for determining fan speeds for a set of fans in a computer system, comprising:
- receiving time-series data collected by a vibration transducer associated with the computer system, wherein the vibration transducer is configured to record mechanical vibrations from the set of fans;
- performing a spectral analysis on the time-series data to obtain frequency peaks associated with fan speeds for individual fans in the set of fans;
- and
- identifying fan speeds for the individual fans in the set of fans from the frequency peaks.
An apparatus that determines fan speeds for a set of fans in a computer system, comprising:
- a vibration transducer associated with the computer system, wherein the vibration transducer is configured to record mechanical vibrations from the set of fans;
- a receiving mechanism configured to receive time-series data collected by the vibration transducer;
- a computing mechanism configured to perform a spectral analysis on the time-series data to obtain frequency peaks associated with fan speeds for individual fans in the set of fans;
- and
- an identification mechanism configured to identify fan speeds for the individual fans in the set of fans from the frequency peaks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.