Managing a system's performance state

Details Managing a system's performance state Managing a system's performance state

1998-12-03

2001-08-07

Etienne, Ario (Department: 2155)

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support

Computer power control

C713S320000, C713S322000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06272642

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
The invention relates to managing a system's performance state.
Portable systems, such as portable computers, have steadily become more powerful with improved technology. Still, the processing, storage, and other capabilities of portable systems are limited due to power consumption and heat dissipation constraints. A portable system relies on a battery as its power source when it is not connected to an external power supply such as an AC outlet. As battery life is limited, power consumption in the system is reduced typically by lowering voltage levels of certain components (e.g., the processor) and reducing clock frequencies of these components. For example, the core clock speed of a processor as well as its voltage levels may be reduced to lower the processor's power consumption. This, however, also reduces processor performance.
Portable systems have become increasingly popular as replacements for desktop systems. When used in the office or at a location with access to an external power supply, the portable systems are plugged into the external power supply, either by use of an AC adapter or through a docking station. However, because conventional portable systems typically operate at reduced performance levels due to limitations of the battery and thermal dissipation requirements, performance of portable systems generally lag the typical desktop system. Consequently, a need arises for a solution that would allow portable systems to operate at higher performance levels to approach the performance of desktop systems.
SUMMARY
In general, according to an embodiment, a system includes a component and a detector adapted to detect generation of a power management event. A controller is adapted to, in response to the power management event, transition the component from a first performance mode to a reduced activity state and to change a setting of the component to a second, different performance mode while the component is in the reduced activity state.
Other features will become apparent from the following description and from the claims.


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