U.S. patent application number 14/455158 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-27 for data storage system with power management and method of operation thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is Promise Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jenhao Ho, Andrew Chi-Te Huang, Cherng-Ren Sue, Lakshmi Narasimhan Sundararajan.
Application Number | 20140351614 14/455158 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44152834 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140351614 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ho; Jenhao ; et al. |
November 27, 2014 |
DATA STORAGE SYSTEM WITH POWER MANAGEMENT AND METHOD OF OPERATION
THEREOF
Abstract
A method of operation of a data storage system includes:
providing a standby power source; detecting activity on a
communication channel with an upstream re-driver powered with the
standby power source; generating a signal-detect output from the
upstream re-driver based on the activity; determining a link status
with a power control unit based on the signal-detect output, the
power control unit powered with the standby power source; and
generating a power output from a power supply unit based on the
link status, the power supply unit controlled by the power control
unit.
Inventors: |
Ho; Jenhao; (Milpitas,
CA) ; Sundararajan; Lakshmi Narasimhan; (San Jose,
CA) ; Huang; Andrew Chi-Te; (San Jose, CA) ;
Sue; Cherng-Ren; (San Jose, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Promise Technology, Inc. |
Milpitas |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
44152834 |
Appl. No.: |
14/455158 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12642755 |
Dec 18, 2009 |
8806230 |
|
|
14455158 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
713/320 ;
713/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02D 10/00 20180101;
G06F 1/3268 20130101; G06F 1/263 20130101; G06F 1/3203 20130101;
G06F 1/3209 20130101; Y02D 10/154 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/320 ;
713/300 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/32 20060101
G06F001/32; G06F 1/26 20060101 G06F001/26 |
Claims
1. A method of operation of a data storage system comprising:
providing a standby power source; detecting activity on a
communication channel with an upstream re-driver powered with the
standby power source; generating a signal-detect output from the
upstream re-driver based on the activity; determining a link status
with a power control unit based on the signal-detect output, the
power control unit powered with the standby power source; and
generating a power output from a power supply unit based on the
link status, the power supply unit controlled by the power control
unit.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising asserting a
power-off control output by the power control unit for powering off
the power supply unit based on the link status as inactive.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising asserting a
power-on control output by the power control unit for powering on
the power supply unit based on the link status as active.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein determining the link
status includes monitoring the signal-detect output with the power
control unit.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: generating
a wake-up command sent by an upstream system; and wherein:
generating the signal-detect output includes asserting the
signal-detect output by the upstream re-driver based on the wake-up
command.
6. A method of operation of a data storage system comprising:
providing a standby power source; detecting activity on a
communication channel with an upstream re-driver powered with the
standby power source; generating a signal-detect output from the
upstream re-driver based on the activity; determining a link status
with a power control unit based on the signal-detect output, the
power control unit having a power-off control unit and a wake-up
control unit powered with the standby power source; and generating
a power output from a power supply unit based on the link status as
active, the power supply unit controlled by the power control
unit.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising asserting a
power-off control output by the power-off control unit for powering
off the power supply unit with the link status determined as
inactive.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising asserting a
power-on control output by the wake-up control unit for powering on
the power supply unit with the link status determined as
active.
9. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein determining the link
status includes monitoring the signal-detect output with the
power-off control unit.
10. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein: generating the
signal-detect output includes: generating a wake-up command sent
from an upstream system to the upstream re-driver, and asserting
the signal-detect output by the upstream re-driver based on the
wake-up command; and determining the link status with the based on
the signal-detect output includes determining in the link status as
active with the assertion of the signal-detect output.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/642,755 filed Dec. 18, 2009.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a data storage
system, and more particularly to a system for a data storage system
with power management.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] All major enterprises (business entities) are currently
trying to remain competitive by implementing new information
technologies (IT) to help them drive their businesses. These
information technologies range from the personal computers (PCs),
which are being placed on every employee's desktop, down to their
new web servers for providing information to their customers. Many
of the requirements of these new technologies require data
processing systems with the storage of more and more data.
[0004] The development of the data processing systems has begun to
focus on the amount of electrical power consumed rather than solely
on more traditional aspects such as the volume of data stored, the
speed at which operations are completed, or the flexibility of the
types of operations which can be performed. The issue of power
management is even more critical in larger scale data processing
systems such as supercomputers, massively parallel processing
systems, server data processing system "farms", and rack
servers.
[0005] Each server data processing system module typically includes
a separate power supply element and consequently, as the number of
modules in a rack server increases, the amount of power consumed
can increase disproportionately as compared with a rack server
including a smaller number of larger modules. Electrical power
consumption in such power-dense rack servers can be so great that a
single power input/source, server farm, or data center can be
unable to provide sufficient power to operate all modules as
needed.
[0006] While power management techniques can result in a reduction
in the amount of power consumed, they either require explicit user
input which may not accurately reflect the power consumption needs
of a data processing system affected or operate completely and
independently of data processing system power requirements based
upon external events. Moreover, such power management techniques
provide no manner to coordinate the power consumption of multiple
data processing systems, which depend on a single power input or
source.
[0007] Thus, a need still remains for a data storage system with
power management. In view of the ever-increasing need to improve
power savings, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to
these problems. In view of the ever-increasing commercial
competitive pressures, along with growing consumer expectations and
the diminishing opportunities for meaningful product
differentiation in the marketplace, it is critical that answers be
found for these problems. Additionally, the need to reduce costs,
improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitive
pressures adds an even greater urgency to the critical necessity
for finding answers to these problems.
[0008] Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior
developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus,
solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the
art.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a method of operation of a
data storage system including: providing a standby power source;
detecting activity on a communication channel with an upstream
re-driver powered with the standby power source; generating a
signal-detect output from the upstream re-driver based on the
activity; determining a link status with a power control unit based
on the signal-detect output, the power control unit powered with
the standby power source; and generating a power output from a
power supply unit based on the link status, the power supply unit
controlled by the power control unit.
[0010] The present invention provides a data storage system,
including: a standby power source; an upstream re-driver, powered
with the standby power source, for detecting activity on a
communication channel and generating a signal-detect output; a
power control unit, coupled to the upstream re-driver, for
determining a link status based on the signal-detect output, the
power control unit powered with the standby power source; and a
power supply unit, coupled to the power control unit, for
generating a power output based on the link status, the power
supply unit controlled by the power control unit.
[0011] Certain embodiments of the invention have other steps or
elements in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. The
steps or element will become apparent to those skilled in the art
from a reading of the following detailed description when taken
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a data
storage system in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the power control
unit.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of operation of a data
storage system in a further embodiment of the present
invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0015] The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail
to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention.
It is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident
based on the present disclosure, and that system, process, or
mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of
the present invention.
[0016] In the following description, numerous specific details are
given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.
However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced
without these specific details. In order to avoid obscuring the
present invention, some well-known circuits, system configurations,
and process steps are not disclosed in detail.
[0017] The drawings showing embodiments of the system are
semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the
dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown
exaggerated in the drawing FIGs. Similarly, although the views in
the drawings for ease of description generally show similar
orientations, this depiction in the FIGs. is arbitrary for the most
part. Generally, the invention can be operated in any
orientation.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown a schematic block
diagram of a portion of a data storage system 100 in an embodiment
of the present invention. The data storage system 100 can include a
Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) controller, a
Just a Bunch of Disks (JBOD) controller, a SAS JBOD controller, or
a storage controller.
[0019] The data storage system 100 can include a standby power
source 102, such as a power supply that powers a component in a
standby or shutdown phase. The standby power source 102 can be
required to always be on. The component powered or supplied with
the standby power source 102 can include a circuit, a chip, a
control unit, or any circuitry that remains active in the standby
or shutdown phase. The standby or shutdown phase can include a
phase in which a portion of a storage system is powered down or off
to conserve energy. The standby power source 102 can be provided
with or through a voltage translator.
[0020] The data storage system 100 can include an upstream system
104, which can represent a system that can provide high level of
data reliability, increased input/output performance, connectivity
between a host system (e.g. a host, an initiator, an server, or a
switch) and a target system (e.g. a target, a storage device, a
disk drive, or a JBOD), or a combination thereof. For example, the
upstream system 104 can include a redundant array of independent
disk (RAID) head, a SAS host bus adapter (HBA), a host controller,
or an upstream JBOD.
[0021] The upstream system 104 can send or initiate a shutdown
request 106, such as a request to inform downstream components to
prepare for an up-coming shutdown mode or a power-down mode. The
upstream system 104 can send or initiate a wake-up command 108,
such as a control to inform the downstream components to prepare
for an upcoming wake-up mode or a power-up mode.
[0022] The upstream system 104 can send or transmit its activity
over a communication channel 110, which can include a differential
signal, an interface wire, a bus, any high-speed signal
transmission protocol, or any combination thereof. The activity is
a form or a state of operation over the communication channel 110.
The activity can represent the shutdown request 106, the wake-up
command 108, or any information sent from the upstream system 104
to a downstream device.
[0023] The communication channel 110 can include a physical medium,
such as a cable or a point-to-point transmission channel that
provides a high-speed serial communication link between devices.
Data can be transmitted via the communication channel 110 with a
storage interface, such as SAS or an interface for interconnecting
a storage controller and a storage device.
[0024] The data storage system 100 can include an upstream
re-driver 112, such as a re-driver chip, a repeater, a physical
layer (PHY) chip, or a transceiver. The upstream re-driver 112 can
recover, boost, or a combination thereof a signal received from a
long trace or cable.
[0025] The upstream re-driver 112 can be coupled to the upstream
system 104 by connecting the communication channel 110 to the
upstream system 104 and the upstream re-driver 112. The upstream
re-driver 112 can be powered or supplied with the standby power
source 102.
[0026] The upstream re-driver 112 can receive or transmit data from
or to the upstream system 104, respectively, via the communication
channel 110. The upstream re-driver 112 can detect activity of the
upstream system 104 on the communication channel 110.
[0027] The upstream re-driver 112 can preserve or recover the
integrity of the activity by boosting or re-establishing full
output levels before re-transmitting the activity. The upstream
re-driver 112 can compensate for a jitter or an insertion loss
caused by the trace or the cable, thereby providing the integrity
of the activity received via the communication channel 110 at an
end of the long trace or the cable.
[0028] The upstream re-driver 112 can generate a signal-detect
output 114 based on the activity on the communication channel 110,
for indicating that the activity received via the communication
channel 110 is detected. The activity can be detected with the
upstream re-driver 112 having an amplitude detection mechanism.
[0029] The activity can be detected as off. For example, the
activity having an amplitude less than or equal to a predetermined
peak-to-peak amplitude is detected as off. With the activity
detected as off, the signal-detect output 114 can be de-asserted or
changed to an inactive state.
[0030] The activity can be detected as on. For example, the
activity having the amplitude more than the predetermined
peak-to-peak amplitude is detected as on. With the activity
detected as on, the signal-detect output 114 can be asserted or
changed to an active state.
[0031] The data storage system 100 can include a power control unit
116 for controlling a system power. The system power can supply
power to a portion of the data storage system 100 in a normal
operation. The power control unit 116 can be coupled to the
upstream re-driver 112. The power control unit 116 can be powered
or supplied with the standby power source 102.
[0032] The power control unit 116 can determine a link status 118
of the upstream system 104. The power control unit 116 can monitor
the signal-detect output 114 to determine the link status 118. With
the signal-detect output 114 de-asserted, the power control unit
116 can determine or detect that the link status 118 is inactive.
With the signal-detect output 114 asserted, the power control unit
116 can determine or detect that the link status 118 is active.
[0033] The power control unit 116 can generate a power-off control
output 120 for disabling or powering off the system power. With the
link status 118 being inactive, the power control unit 116 can
assert the power-off control output 120. The power control unit 116
can generate a power-on control output 122 for enabling or powering
on the system power. With the link status 118 being active, the
power control unit 116 can assert the power-on control output
122.
[0034] The data storage system 100 can include a power supply unit
124 for providing the standby power source 102, a power output 126,
or a combination thereof. The power output 126 can represent a
direct current (DC) output. The power output 126 can supply power
to a portion of the data storage system 100 in a normal operation.
The power output 126 can be different than the standby power source
102. The power supply unit 124 can be coupled to the power control
unit 116.
[0035] The power output 126 can be generated with the power supply
unit 124. The power-off control output 120 can be sent to the power
supply unit 124. With the power-off control output 120 asserted,
the power supply unit 124 can de-assert or change a state of the
power output 126 to off, thereby disabling the system power. The
power-on control output 122 can be sent to the power supply unit
124. With the power-on control output 122 asserted, the power
supply unit 124 can assert or change the state of the power output
126 to on, thereby enabling the system power.
[0036] The data storage system 100 can include a storage switch
component 128, such as a SAS expander or a switch device, that
facilitates communication between an initiator and a target or a
storage device. The storage switch component 128 can be powered or
supplied with the power output 126. The storage switch component
128 can be coupled to the upstream re-driver 112 and the power
control unit 116.
[0037] The storage switch component 128 can receive or send data
from or to the upstream system 104, respectively, via the upstream
re-driver 112 in the normal operation. The storage switch component
128 can monitor the signal-detect output 114 or receive a state of
the signal-detect output 114 through the power control unit
116.
[0038] The data storage system 100 can include a storage unit 130,
such as a SAS drive, a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)
drive, a mass storage device, a hard disk drive, an optical drive,
a solid state disk drive, or a combination thereof. The data
storage system 100 can include any number of the storage unit 130.
The storage unit 130 can be coupled or connected to the storage
switch component 128 with a storage interface, such as SAS, SATA,
or an interface for interconnecting a storage controller and a
storage device.
[0039] The data storage system 100 can optionally include a
downstream system 132, such as a JBOD, a downstream JBOD, a JBOD
system, or a storage system, for providing storage capacity. The
downstream system 132 can include any number of the JBOD, the
downstream JBOD, or the JBOD system. The storage switch component
128 can facilitate communication between the upstream system 104
and the downstream system 132 or the storage unit 130.
[0040] The data storage system 100 can include a downstream
re-driver 134, such as a re-driver chip, a SAS re-driver, a
repeater, a physical layer (PHY) chip, or a transceiver. The
downstream re-driver 134 can recover, boost, or a combination
thereof a signal received from a long trace or cable. The
downstream re-driver 134 can be coupled to the storage switch
component 128 and the downstream system 132. The downstream
re-driver 134 can be powered or supplied with the power output
126.
[0041] The downstream re-driver 134 can receive or transmit data
from or to the downstream system 132, respectively. The storage
switch component 128 can receive or send data from or to the
downstream system 132, respectively, via the downstream re-driver
134 in the normal operation.
[0042] The downstream re-driver 134 can preserve or recover the
integrity of an activity by boosting or re-establishing full output
levels before transmitting the activity via a trace or a cable. The
downstream re-driver 134 can compensate for a jitter or an
insertion loss caused by the trace or the cable, thereby providing
the integrity of the activity at an end of the long trace or the
cable.
[0043] A shutdown procedure can be started with the upstream system
104 sending the shutdown request 106 to the storage switch
component 128 as well as the downstream system 132. The shutdown
request 106 can be sent via the upstream re-driver 112 to the
storage switch component 128 or via the upstream re-driver 112, the
storage switch component 128, and the downstream re-driver 134.
With the storage switch component 128 prepared for the shutdown
mode, the power control unit 116 can be instructed to monitor the
signal-detect output 114.
[0044] With the link status 118 being active, the power control
unit 116 can monitor the link status 118 to look for a state
transition in the link status 118 changed from active to inactive.
The power control unit 116 can assert the power-off control output
120 to de-assert the power output 126, thereby disabling or
powering off the system power. At this point, the upstream
re-driver 112 and the power control unit 116 can remain to be
powered or supplied with the standby power source 102. The shutdown
procedure can be completed with the system power disabled or
powered off
[0045] A wake-up procedure can be started with the upstream system
104 sending the wake-up command 108 downstream when it wakes up,
causing the signal-detect output 114 of the upstream re-driver 112
to be asserted. For example, the wake-up command 108 includes an
out-of-band (OOB) sequence, which can be represented by a series or
intervals of on/off periods at a frequency that is different than a
typical transmission frequency. Detecting that the signal-detect
output 114 is asserted due to an active state of the link status
118, the power control unit 116 can assert the power-on control
output 122 to re-enable or re-assert the power output 126, thereby
enabling or powering on the system power.
[0046] The upstream system 104 can automatically send the wake-up
command 108. Alternatively, the upstream system 104 can be
controlled or commanded by a host system to send the wake-up
command 108. The wake-up procedure can be completed with the system
power enabled or powered on.
[0047] The downstream system 132 can include functions that are
substantially the same or similar to the data storage system 100 or
a subset thereof. The downstream system 132 can be provided with
its own standby power source. The shutdown procedure or the wake-up
procedure can be applied or repeated for shutting down or waking
up, respectively, the downstream system 132.
[0048] The shutdown procedure can be initiated with the upstream
system 104. To power down the downstream system 132, the upstream
system 104 can inform the downstream system 132 to prepare for an
upcoming shut-down. Then, the upstream system 104 can power down
itself, resulting in no activity detected over the communication
channel 110.
[0049] The wake-up procedure can be initiated with the upstream
system 104. To power up the downstream system 132, the upstream
system 104 can be powered up with a wake-up protocol. The wake-up
protocol can include Wake-on Local-Area-Network (WoL) or a
procedure that allows a computer, a computing system, or a storage
system to be turned on or woken up by a network message.
[0050] It has been discovered that the present invention provides
the wake-up procedure with low complexity. The wake-up procedure
simply allows users or the upstream system 104 to remotely send the
shutdown request 106 or the wake-up command 108 to the downstream
system 132 that is to be powered down or woken up from a suspended
state, respectively.
[0051] It has also been discovered that the present invention
provides improved power savings. Power savings can be improved by
powering off portions of the data storage system 100 that are not
used or not required for service. System power can be managed by
controlling the power output 126 with the upstream re-driver 112,
the power control unit 116, and the power supply unit 124, which
supplies the standby power source 102 to the upstream re-driver 112
and the power control unit 116. The system power can be managed
based on the signal-detect output 114 and the link status 118 of
the upstream system 104. De-asserting the power output 126 disables
the system power until service is required.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 2, therein is shown a schematic block
diagram of the power control unit 116. The data storage system 100
can include the power control unit 116 for controlling the power
supply unit 124 that provides the system power, which can be
supplied by the power output 126.
[0053] The power control unit 116 can include a power-off control
unit 202, such as a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a
programmable array logic (PAL), or a field-programmable gate array
(FPGA), for providing power control functions. The power-off
control unit 202 can include on-board non-volatile memory,
programmable logic, or a combination thereof.
[0054] The power-off control unit 202 can determine the link status
118 of the upstream system 104 of FIG. 1. The power-off control
unit 202 can monitor the signal-detect output 114 driven by the
upstream re-driver 112.
[0055] With the signal-detect output 114 de-asserted, the power-off
control unit 202 can determine that the link status 118 is
inactive. With the signal-detect output 114 asserted, the power-off
control unit 202 can determine that the link status 118 is
active.
[0056] The power-off control unit 202 can generate the power-off
control output 120 sent to the power supply unit 124 for disabling
or powering off the system power. With the link status 118
inactive, the power-off control unit 202 can assert the power-off
control output 120. The storage switch component 128 can monitor
the signal-detect output 114 or receive a state of the
signal-detect output 114 through the power-off control unit
202.
[0057] For illustrative purposes, the power-off control unit 202 is
described with functions for determining the link status 118 and
generating the power-off control output 120, although it is
understood that the power-off control unit 202 can include other
logic or circuitry. For example, the other logic or circuitry can
include additional functions for power management.
[0058] The power control unit 116 can include a wake-up control
unit 204, such as a wake-up circuit, a wake-up control circuit, or
any circuitry for controlling the system power. The wake-up control
unit 204 can generate the power-on control output 122. The power-on
control output 122 can be sent to the power supply unit 124 for
enabling or powering on the system power. With the signal-detect
output 114 active, the wake-up control unit 204 can assert the
power-on control output 122. The wake-up control unit 204 can be
powered or supplied with the standby power source 102.
[0059] With the link status 118 being inactive in a shutdown
preparation mode, the power-off control unit 202 can generate an
enable wake-up control 206 based on the link status 118. With the
link status 118 inactive, the power-off control unit 202 can assert
the enable wake-up control 206. The power-off control unit 202 can
then assert the power-off control output 120.
[0060] The enable wake-up control 206 can be sent to the wake-up
control unit 204. With the enable wake-up control 206 asserted, the
wake-up control unit 204 can monitor the signal-detect output
114.
[0061] Detecting that the signal-detect output 114 changes from a
de-asserted state to an asserted state in the shutdown mode, the
wake-up control unit 204 can assert the power-on control output 122
to enable or power on the system power. Enabling or powering on the
system power can wake up a portion of the data storage system 100
that has been shut down or powered down.
[0062] Referring now to FIG. 3, therein is shown a flow chart of a
method 300 of operation of a data storage system in a further
embodiment of the present invention. The method 300 includes:
providing a standby power source in a block 302; detecting activity
on a communication channel with an upstream re-driver powered with
the standby power source in a block 304; generating a signal-detect
output from the upstream re-driver based on the activity in a block
306; determining a link status with a power control unit based on
the signal-detect output, the power control unit powered with the
standby power source in a block 308; and generating a power output
from a power supply unit based on the link status, the power supply
unit controlled by the power control unit in a block 310.
[0063] The resulting method, process, apparatus, device, product,
and/or system is straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated,
highly versatile, accurate, sensitive, and effective, and can be
implemented by adapting known components for ready, efficient, and
economical manufacturing, application, and utilization.
[0064] Another important aspect of the present invention is that it
valuably supports and services the historical trend of reducing
costs, simplifying systems, and increasing performance.
[0065] These and other valuable aspects of the present invention
consequently further the state of the technology to at least the
next level.
[0066] While the invention has been described in conjunction with a
specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives,
modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in
the art in light of the aforegoing description. Accordingly, it is
intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and
variations that fall within the scope of the included claims. All
matters hithertofore set forth herein or shown in the accompanying
drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting
sense.
* * * * *