US 7,574,321 B2 · Model predictive thermal management

Abstract

Electrical components which substantially dissipate the power provided them in the form of heat will change temperature in response to self heating, heat transfer to their surroundings, and heat transferred from one component to another. A method is disclosed for calculating the temperature of a component(s) using a thermal model. In one embodiment the power dissipation of each component is controlled to limit the temperature of the component. In one embodiment the temperature of a component is modified by changing the power dissipation of another component. In some embodiments the power dissipation of a component is modified by modifying its performance. In another embodiment power dissipation is modified by selecting one or more programs for modified execution.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A method for determining the temperature of any of a plurality of electrical components, wherein the electrical components dissipate substantially all of their received power in the form of heat, the method comprising:

(a) monitoring a power source wherein the power source provides power to each of the electrical components independently, obtaining a power parameter value for each of the electrical components therefrom;
(b) calculating the power dissipated by each of the electronic components;
(c) calculating a temperature parameter value for each of the electrical components, using a thermal model and predetermined coefficients comprising the steps of:
calculating a self-heating parameter value;
subtracting a parameter value representing heat loss;
and
adding a parameter value representing the net heat transfer between the certain one electrical component and each of the remaining electrical components;
and
(d) calculating an instant temperature of each electrical component by combining the calculated temperature parameter value of said electrical component to a previously stored temperature value of said electrical component.

6 more elements

A method for controlling the temperature of any of a plurality of electrical components, wherein the electrical components dissipate substantially all of their received power in the form of heat, the method comprising:

(a) monitoring a power source wherein the power source provides power to each of the electrical components independently, obtaining a power parameter value for each of the electrical components therefrom;
(b) calculating the power dissipated by each of the electronic components;
(c) calculating a temperature parameter value for each of the electrical components, using a thermal model and predetermined coefficients comprising the steps of:
calculating a self-heating parameter value;
subtracting a parameter value representing heat loss;
and
adding a parameter value representing the net heat transfer between the certain one electrical component and each of the remaining electrical components;
(d) calculating an instant temperature of each electrical component by combining the calculated temperature parameter value of said electrical component to a previously stored temperature value of said electrical component;
(e) comparing the instant temperature of each electrical component to a corresponding predetermined value;
and
(f) reducing the power dissipation of any one or more of the electrical components wherein the calculated temperature exceeds a predetermined value by a step selected from the group of actions consisting of:
reducing the voltage applied to the electrical component,
reducing the clocking frequency of the electrical component,
reducing the performance of the electrical component, and
controlling a cooling means.

12 more elements

(a) monitoring a power source wherein the power source provides power to each of the electrical components independently, obtaining a power parameter value for each of the electrical components therefrom;
(b) calculating the power dissipated by each of the electronic components;
(c) calculating a temperature parameter value for each of the electrical components, using a thermal model and predetermined coefficients comprising the steps of:
calculating a self-heating parameter value;
subtracting a parameter value representing heat loss;
and
adding a parameter value representing the net heat transfer between the certain one electrical component and each of the remaining electrical components;
(d) calculating a future temperature for each electrical component by combining the calculated temperature parameter value of said electrical component to a previously stored temperature value of said electrical component, wherein the previously stored temperature value is obtained by monitoring a temperature sensor;
(e) comparing the future temperature of each electrical component to a corresponding predetermined value;
and
(f) according to a rule, modifying the power dissipation of any one or more of the electrical components by a step selected from the group of actions consisting of:
reducing the voltage applied to the electrical component,
reducing the clocking frequency of the electrical component,
reducing the performance of the electrical component, and
controlling a cooling means.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Model predictive thermal management

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Model predictive thermal management

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23