Method and apparatus for controlling operating parameters in a computer system

A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for controlling one or more operating parameters in a computer system, wherein the method comprises:

• until specified values for one or more operating parameters are achieved, performing the following operations:
• operating the computer system using a specified load profile;
• determining whether the specified load profile produces the specified values for the one or more operating parameters;
• and
• if the specified load profile does not produce the specified values for the one or more operating parameters, adjusting the specified load profile, which involves using a pulse-width modulation technique to adjust a duty cycle between a first workload and a second workload.

An apparatus that controls one or more operating parameters in a computer system, comprising:

• a load-generation mechanism configured to operate the computer system using a specified load profile;
• an analysis mechanism configured to determine whether the specified load profile produces the specified values for the one or more operating parameters;
• and
• an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the specified load profile if the specified load profile does not produce the specified values for the one or more operating parameters, wherein while adjusting the specified load profile, the adjustment mechanism is configured to use a pulse-width modulation technique to adjust a duty cycle between a first workload and a second workload;
• wherein the load-generation mechanism, the analysis mechanism, and the adjustment mechanism are configured to be operated until specified values for one or more operating parameters are achieved.