Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080252441 | Method and apparatus for performing a real-time root-cause analysis by analyzing degrading telemetry signals - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that performs a real-time root-cause-analysis for a degradation event associated with a component under test. During operation, the system monitors a telemetry signal collected from the component, and while doing so, attempts to detect an anomaly in the telemetry signal. If an anomaly is detected in the telemetry signal, the system performs a failure analysis on the telemetry signal in real-time while the telemetry signal is degrading. Next, the system identifies a failure mechanism for the component based on the failure analysis. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252481 | Method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting the resolution of telemetry signals - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that dynamically adjusts data resolution during proactive-fault-monitoring in a computer system. During operation, the system temporarily stores high-resolution data for a telemetry signal from the computer system in a buffer. The system then generates low-resolution data for the telemetry signal from the high-resolution data. Next, the system monitors the low-resolution data, and while doing so, determines if an anomaly exists in the low-resolution data. If an anomaly exists in the low-resolution data, the system records the high-resolution data from the buffer on a storage device. | 10-16-2008 |
20090125467 | Proactive detection of metal whiskers in computer systems - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that proactively monitors and detects metal whisker growth in a target area within a computer system. During operation, the system collects target electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals using one or more antennas positioned in the vicinity of the target area. Next, the system analyzes the target EMI signals to proactively detect the onset of metal whisker growth in the target area. | 05-14-2009 |
20090135514 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING COUPLED HARD DISK DRIVE VIBRATION - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that includes a first hard disk drive (HDD) and a second HDD. Within this system, the first HDD is coupled to the second HDD in a non-parallel configuration, which reduces rotational vibration transmitted between the first HDD and the second HDD. | 05-28-2009 |
20090204839 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE TEMPERATURE OF A POWER SUPPLY IN A COMPUTER SYSTEM - A system that controls the temperature of a power supply in a computer system is presented. A state of the computer system is monitored. Next a signal is generated in response to the state of the computer system. The signal is then used to control the temperature of the power supply. | 08-13-2009 |
20090234484 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING MULTIPLE ANOMALIES IN A CLUSTER OF COMPONENTS - A system that detects multiple anomalies in a cluster of components is presented. During operation, the system monitors derivatives obtained from one or more inferential variables which are received from sensors in the cluster of components. The system then determines whether one or more components within the cluster have experienced an anomalous event based on the monitored derivatives. If so, the system performs one or more remedial actions. | 09-17-2009 |
20090271145 | DETERMINING A CENTER OF ROTATION FOR A COMPONENT IN A COMPUTER SYSTEM - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that determines a center of rotation for a component in a computer system. During operation, the system measures a first acceleration of a first location on the component and a second acceleration of a second location on the component, wherein the first location and the second location are separated by a predetermined distance. Then, the system determines the center of rotation using the first acceleration, the second acceleration, and the predetermined distance. | 10-29-2009 |
20090292490 | DETERMINING A TOTAL LENGTH FOR CONDUCTIVE WHISKERS IN COMPUTER SYSTEMS - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that determines a total whisker length for conductive whiskers on a circuit in a computer system. During operation, a target electromagnetic signal radiating from the computer system is monitored. Then, the target electromagnetic signal is analyzed to determine the total whisker length for conductive whiskers on the circuit in the computer system. | 11-26-2009 |
20090326864 | DETERMINING THE RELIABILITY OF AN INTERCONNECT - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that determines the reliability of an interconnect. During operation, connectors in the interconnect are categorized into a set of predetermined groups. Next, the reliability for selected groups in the set of predetermined groups is determined. Then, a reliability model for the interconnect is generated based on the selected groups and the reliability of the selected groups to determine the overall reliability of the interconnect. | 12-31-2009 |
20100004900 | ROTATIONAL VIBRATION MEASUREMENTS IN COMPUTER SYSTEMS - Embodiments of a mechanical device to facilitate in-situ measurements of vibration associated with a corresponding component in a computer system are described. This mechanical device includes a housing that has approximately a same mass as the component, approximately a same distribution of mass about a geometric center of the component, and approximately a same form factor as the component. Moreover, the mechanical device includes one or more vibration sensors, which are mechanically coupled to the housing, and which are configured to perform the in-situ vibration measurements. | 01-07-2010 |
20100005237 | SCHEDULING READ OPERATIONS DURING DRIVE RECONSTRUCTION IN AN ARRAY OF REDUNDANT DISK DRIVES - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that schedules read operations for disk drives in a set of disk drives. During operation, the system monitors a write rate for write operations to a given disk drive in the set of disk drives, wherein vibrations generated by the read operations directed to disk drives in the set of disk drives are transmitted to the given disk drive. Then, the read operations for disk drives in the set of disk drives are scheduled based on the write rate for the given disk drive, thereby limiting interference between the write operations and the vibrations generated by the read operations. | 01-07-2010 |
20100020438 | MULTI-DIMENSIONAL HARD DISK DRIVE VIBRATION MITIGATION - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that includes a drive carrier for a hard disk drive (HDD) and one or more vibration control clips affixed to the drive carrier. Within this system, a mode of vibration of the HDD is modulated by contact between each of the vibration control clips and a surface within the computer system. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023280 | Characterizing the response of a device in a computer system to vibration over a frequency range - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that characterizes a response of a device in a computer system to vibration over a frequency range. During operation, the device is vibrated at each frequency in a set of frequencies in the frequency range, wherein the device is vibrated at each frequency, one frequency at a time, until a stabilized response of the device is determined. The response of the device to vibration over the frequency range is then characterized based on information related to the stabilized response at each frequency in the set of frequencies. | 01-28-2010 |
20100036621 | Characterizing the response of a computer system component to vibrations - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that characterizes a response of a component in a computer system to vibrations generated by the computer system. First, the system measures the response of the component to vibrations in a frequency range while the component is located outside of the computer system. The system also measures vibrations generated by the computer system in the frequency range during operation of the computer system, wherein the vibrations are measured at a location in the computer system which is configured to receive the component. The system then characterizes the response of the component to vibrations generated by the computer system based on the measured response of the component to vibrations in the frequency range and the measured vibrations in the frequency range at the location. | 02-11-2010 |
20100070210 | DETECTING CONSTRAINED MOTION OF A COMPONENT IN A COMPUTER SYSTEM - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that detects the presence of constrained motion in one or more components in a computer system. First, a vibrational spectrum of the computer system is monitored while the computer system operates. Then, the vibrational spectrum is analyzed using a pattern-recognition model to detect constrained motion in one or more components in the computer system, wherein the pattern-recognition model classifies the vibrational spectrum as indicating constrained motion or as not indicating constrained motion. | 03-18-2010 |
20100110857 | CHARACTERIZING THE PERFORMANCE OF A DISK DRIVE ACROSS A RANGE OF VIBRATION FREQUENCIES - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that characterizes the performance of a disk drive at frequencies in a set of frequencies in a frequency range. First, the disk drive is vibrated at each frequency in the set of frequencies, one frequency at a time. During this process, a disk drive performance metric is monitored. Next, the performance of the disk drive is characterized by determining the parameter related to acceleration due to the vibrations for each frequency at which a disk drive performance metric degrades by a predetermined amount from a baseline. | 05-06-2010 |
20100121593 | IN-SITU CHARACTERIZATION OF A SOLID-STATE LIGHT SOURCE - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system for in-situ characterization of a solid-state light. First, a voltage and a current of the solid-state light source are monitored. Then, the health of the solid-state light source is characterized based on an analysis of the monitored voltage and current. | 05-13-2010 |
20100131120 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS IN A COMPUTER SYSTEM - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that controls a temperature variation in a computer system. First, a performance parameter of the computer system is monitored. Next, a future temperature of the computer system is predicted based on the performance parameter. Then, a pitch of one or more blades in a cooling device in the computer system is adjusted based on the future temperature to control the temperature variation in the computer system. | 05-27-2010 |
20100142136 | METHOD AND APPARATUS THAT ISOLATES A COMPUTER SYSTEM FROM VIBRATIONS GENERATED BY INTERNAL FANS - Some embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus that isolates a computer system from vibrations generated by one or more fans inside the computer system. The apparatus includes a fan deck upon which the one or more fans are mounted inside the computer system, and three spring assemblies. Each spring assembly includes: a pin that extends through a clearance hole in the fan deck, wherein a first end of the pin is rigidly coupled to the computer system; a lower spring that extends between a first side of the fan deck and a lower spring mount coupled to the pin; and an upper spring that extends between a second side of the fan deck and a upper spring mount coupled to the pin. | 06-10-2010 |
20100217543 | GENERATING A VIBRATION PROFILE FOR A ROTATING COOLING DEVICE IN A COMPUTER SYSTEM - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that generates a vibration profile for a rotational device in a computer system. During operation, the system sequentially sweeps a rotation speed of a rotational device over a range of rotation speeds. While driving the rotational device at each rotation speed, the system collects a time-domain vibration signal produced by the rotational device and subsequently computes a frequency spectrum of the time-domain vibration signal. In this way, the system generates a set of frequency spectra associated with the range of rotation speeds. Next, the system combines the set of frequency spectra to generate a composite vibration profile for the rotational device. | 08-26-2010 |
20100250158 | ENHANCED CHARACTERIZATION OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTION DEGRADATION - One embodiment provides a system that analyzes an electrical connection in a computer system. During operation, the system monitors a reflection coefficient associated with the electrical connection and applies a sequential-analysis technique to the reflection coefficient to determine a statistical deviation of the reflection coefficient. Next, the system assesses the integrity of the electrical connection based on the statistical deviation of the reflection coefficient. Finally, the system uses the assessed integrity to maintain the electrical connection. | 09-30-2010 |
20100305892 | NEAR-ISOTROPIC ANTENNA FOR MONITORING ELECTROMAGNETIC SIGNALS - One embodiment provides a system that analyzes a target electromagnetic signal radiating from a monitored system. During operation, the system monitors the target electromagnetic signal using a near-isotropic antenna that includes a set of receiving surfaces arranged in a regular polyhedron. Next, the system obtains a set of received target electromagnetic signals from the receiving surfaces. Finally, the system assesses the integrity of the monitored system by separately analyzing each of the received target electromagnetic signals. | 12-02-2010 |
20100306165 | RADIO FREQUENCY MICROSCOPE FOR AMPLIFYING AND ANALYZING ELECTROMAGNETIC SIGNALS - One embodiment provides a technique for analyzing a target electromagnetic signal radiating from a monitored system. During the technique, the monitored system is positioned at a first locus of an ellipsoidal surface to amplify the target electromagnetic signal received at a second locus of the ellipsoidal surface. Next, the amplified target electromagnetic signal is monitored using an antenna positioned at the second locus of the ellipsoidal surface. Finally, the integrity of the monitored system is assessed by analyzing the amplified target electromagnetic signal monitored by the antenna. | 12-02-2010 |
20100324882 | ESTIMATING BALL-GRID-ARRAY LONGEVITY IN A COMPUTER SYSTEM - A method for generating a service action for a computer system is described. During the method, a longevity index value for a packaging technology (such as solder joints in a BGA) in the computer system is calculated using thermal and vibration telemetry data (which is collected in the computer system) and a longevity model. This longevity model may be based on accelerated failure testing of the packaging technology, field failures of the packaging technology in a group of computer systems (which includes the computer system) and/or thermal and vibration telemetry data for the group of computer systems. Furthermore, using the longevity index value, the service action for the computer system is determined. Based on the longevity index value, remedial action (such as repairs to the computer system) may be scheduled and performed. | 12-23-2010 |
20100326193 | System and Method for Characterizing Vibration of a Rack Structure - A system for characterizing vibration of a rack structure having at least one hard disk drive disposed therein and a vibration exciter operatively associated with the rack structure includes one or more computers. The one or more computers are configured to command the vibration exciter to provide vibration input to the rack structure and to command a plurality of reads from the at least one hard disk drive such that, for each of the plurality of reads, data stored on the at least one hard disk drive is retrieved from the at least one hard disk drive. The one or more computers are also configured to obtain read rate information related to the plurality of reads and to identify at least one resonant frequency of the rack structure based on the read rate information. | 12-30-2010 |
20110169522 | FAULT-TOLERANT MULTI-CHIP MODULE - A multi-chip module (MCM) is described. This MCM includes multiple sites, where a given site in the multiple sites includes multiple chips with proximity connectors that communicate information through proximity communication within the MCM via multiple components associated with the given site. Note that the MCM includes global redundancy and local redundancy at the given site. In particular, the global redundancy involves providing one or more redundant sites in the multiple sites. Furthermore, the local redundancy involves providing one or more redundant chips in the multiple chips and one or more redundant components in the multiple components. | 07-14-2011 |
20110208678 | MECHANICAL SHOCK FEATURE EXTRACTION FOR OVERSTRESS EVENT REGISTRATION - An electronic system includes an accelerometer. A method for excessive mechanical shock feature extraction for overstress event registration and cumulative tracking includes obtaining a sample from the accelerometer. Feature extraction is performed on the sample using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) to produce a plurality of modes. A pattern classifier is utilized for processing the plurality of modes to determine if the sample classifies as a shock event. If the sample classifies as a shock event, a shock event counter is incremented. If the shock event counter reaches a specified count, an indication to a user is generated. | 08-25-2011 |
20110246093 | PREDICTING REMAINING USEFUL LIFE FOR A COMPUTER SYSTEM USING A STRESS-BASED PREDICTION TECHNIQUE - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for predicting a remaining useful life (RUL) for a component in a set of components within a computer system. The system starts by collecting values of at least one degradation-related parameter associated with the operation of a monitored component within the computer system. Note that the degradation-related parameter is a direct measurement of a degree of degradation of the monitored component. The system additionally collects values of at least one stress-based parameter from the computer system. Note that the stress-based parameter measures an accumulative stress in the operating environment of the set of components which can cause degradation of the set of components. The system then uses the values of the at least one degradation-related parameter and the values of the at least one stress-based parameter to predict an RUL for a component in the set of components. | 10-06-2011 |
20110255768 | Method and System for Automated Ball-Grid Array Void Quantification - A method and system for identifying voids in solder balls in a ball-grid array (BGA) using an image of the BGA include localizing an image of a solder ball on the BGA image, the solder ball image having a radius and having multiple points each having an image intensity, and producing a void-free model image of the solder ball based on the radius of the solder ball image, the void-free model image having multiple points each having an image intensity. The method and system also include computing a difference between the image intensities of the points of the solder ball image and the image intensities of the points of the void-free model image to produce a residual image, and identifying a void using the residual image. | 10-20-2011 |
20120232843 | METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZING VIBRATION OF A RACK STRUCTURE - A system for characterizing vibration of a rack structure having at least one hard disk drive disposed therein and a vibration exciter operatively associated with the rack structure includes one or more computers. The one or more computers are configured to command the vibration exciter to provide vibration input to the rack structure and to command a plurality of reads from the at least one hard disk drive such that, for each of the plurality of reads, data stored on the at least one hard disk drive is retrieved from the at least one hard disk drive. The one or more computers are also configured to obtain read rate information related to the plurality of reads and to identify at least one resonant frequency of the rack structure based on the read rate information. | 09-13-2012 |
20120272019 | SCHEDULING READ OPERATIONS DURING DRIVE RECONSTRUCTION IN AN ARRAY OF REDUNDANT DISK DRIVES - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that schedules read operations for disk drives in a set of disk drives. During operation, the system monitors a write rate for write operations to a given disk drive in the set of disk drives, wherein vibrations generated by the read operations directed to disk drives in the set of disk drives are transmitted to the given disk drive. Then, the read operations for disk drives in the set of disk drives are scheduled based on the write rate for the given disk drive, thereby limiting interference between the write operations and the vibrations generated by the read operations. | 10-25-2012 |
20130090889 | DYNAMIC REGULATION OF TEMPERATURE CHANGES USING TELEMETRY DATA ANALYSIS - The disclosed embodiments provide a system that analyzes telemetry data from a computer system. During operation, the system obtains the telemetry data as a set of telemetric signals using a set of sensors in the computer system. Next, the system uses a regularization technique to calculate a temperature derivative with respect to time for a component in the computer system from the telemetric signals. Finally, the system controls a subsequent value of the temperature derivative with respect to time by modulating a fan speed in the computer system based on the calculated temperature derivative with respect to time and the telemetric signals. | 04-11-2013 |
20130138419 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF COMPUTER SYSTEM RELIABILITY USING QUANTITATIVE CUMULATIVE STRESS METRICS - The disclosed embodiments provide a system that analyzes telemetry data from a computer system. During operation, the system obtains the telemetry data as a set of telemetric signals using a set of sensors in the computer system. Next, for each component or component location from a set of components in the computer system, the system applies an inferential model to the telemetry data to determine an operating environment of the component or component location, and uses the operating environment to assess a reliability of the component. Finally, the system manages use of the component in the computer system based on the assessed reliability. | 05-30-2013 |
20130230272 | CHIP ASSEMBLY CONFIGURATION WITH DENSELY PACKED OPTICAL INTERCONNECTS - A chip assembly configuration includes an substrate with an integrated circuit on one side and a conversion mechanism on the other side. The integrated circuit and the conversion mechanism are electrically coupled by a short electrical transmission line through the substrate. Moreover, the conversion mechanism converts signals between an electrical and an optical domain, thereby allowing high-speed communication between the integrated circuit and other components and devices using optical communication (for example, in an optical fiber or an optical waveguide). | 09-05-2013 |
20140109674 | METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZING VIBRATION OF A RACK STRUCTURE - A system for characterizing vibration of a rack structure having at least one hard disk drive disposed therein and a vibration exciter operatively associated with the rack structure includes one or more computers. The one or more computers are configured to command the vibration exciter to provide vibration input to the rack structure and to command a plurality of reads from the at least one hard disk drive such that, for each of the plurality of reads, data stored on the at least one hard disk drive is retrieved from the at least one hard disk drive. The one or more computers are also configured to obtain read rate information related to the plurality of reads and to identify at least one resonant frequency of the rack structure based on the read rate information. | 04-24-2014 |