DE102006035037B4 - Method and arrangement for protecting at least one component of a computer system against overheating - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for protecting at least one component of a computer system with a processor (12) against overheating,
in which a device temperature limit value is determined for the component (42) of the computer system, in which the component (42) still operates reliably, and
the processor temperature actual value of the processor (12) of the computer system is determined upon reaching the component temperature limit value of the component (42),
the determined processor temperature actual value of the processor (12) is preset as the processor temperature limit value when the component temperature limit value of the component (42) is reached,
and in which, when the processor temperature limit value is reached and / or when the processor temperature limit value is exceeded by the processor temperature actual value, the clock frequency of the processor (12) is reduced.

Description

The The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for protection at least a device of a computer system against overheating.

at known computer systems, the processor temperature of a processor unit with the aid of a temperature sensor integrated in the processor unit continuously detected and with the processor temperature limit compared. Such processor units are z. B. main processors of computer systems, also called Central Processing Unit (CPU) be designated. The temperatures of other components, such. As memory devices, diodes, transistors, resistors, inductors and capacitors and other integrated circuits, but are not detected. At least some of these components are sensitive to heat and can be exceeded one for the respective component permissible maximum limit temperature is impaired in their function or destroyed become.

at passive components, especially in capacitors, leads to an excess a permissible one maximum operating temperature to faster aging, in particular the dielectric of these capacitors, thereby increasing the life the capacitors in question is considerably shortened. When using these capacitors in switching power supplies and in conjunction with Voltage transformers and voltage regulators can cause this the supplied operating voltages exceed permissible tolerances, which can lead to malfunction and / or destruction of components, in particular arranged on the motherboard of the computer system are.

From the document DE 695 04 816 T2 For example, a temperature control apparatus for a central processing unit is known in which a thermal sensor is provided for determining the temperature of the central processing unit and for generating a signal proportional to the temperature. Depending on this signal, a controller changes the operating frequency of the central unit. In this case, a programmable memory is provided for storing a programmable critical temperature value and a comparator for comparing the temperature value mapped by the signal with the preset value.

From the document DE 103 40 393 A1 An adjusting device is known for adjusting the clock pulse for a central processing unit as a function of the detected temperature of the processing unit by means of a logic circuit. A compromise between work efficiency and energy consumption is achieved.

From the document DE 202 12 071 U1 is a notebook computer with temperature control function is known in which using a temperature sensor, the temperature of a microprocessor of the notebook computer is detected. If it is determined that the temperature of the microprocessor has exceeded a predetermined temperature, the external clock and the operating voltage is lowered, so that the power consumption of the microprocessor is reduced.

From the document DE 199 55 033 A1 For example, a device for detecting the temperature within a notebook computer is known. In this case, a temperature sensor is arranged in the notebook computer, with the aid of which the temperature of peripheral devices in the notebook computer is detected. The temperature value is supplied to the notebook computer via a voltage input. The voltage is compared with a reference voltage and if exceeded, appropriate measures are taken to cool the respective peripheral device.

task The invention is a method and an arrangement for protection at least one component of a computer system against overheating specify.

These The object is achieved by a method having the features of the patent claim 1 and by an arrangement having the features of the claim 10 solved. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

By the method having the features of claim 1 is the protection a component of a computer system in a simple manner possible. there The invention is based on the recognition that a component limit temperature of the device reached or exceeded when a certain processor temperature is reached or exceeded is. This finding is used in the invention in that the value of the processor temperature when reaching the component temperature limit is determined and stored as the processor temperature limit. This storage preferably takes place in the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of the computer system, which is usually a processor temperature limit is adjustable. The component is in particular one from the processor different component.

The BIOS then compares the actual temperature of the processor unit detected with the aid of a temperature sensor arranged in the processor unit with the preset processor temperature limit value. When reaching and / or exceeding the preset temperature limit by the actual temperature, for example, an error signal output, reduces the clock frequency of the processor unit of the computer system, activates a fan, increases the air flow rate of a fan, activates another cooling element and / or the cooling capacity of a cooling element can be increased.

By This method is achieved that exceeding the device temperature limit and thus a deterioration the function of the relevant component is prevented. It is it is beneficial for that different components of the computer system each have a component temperature limit is determined. This component temperature limit can be, for example by the manufacturer's technical information about the permissible component temperature be set, the computer system at least as a test so is operated, that the current device temperature, the device temperature limit reached. The processor temperature of the processor unit is reached when it reaches determines the component limit temperature of the respective component, the lowest determined processor temperature for different devices is preset as the processor temperature limit.

The Determining the processor temperature when the device temperature limits are reached preferably performed on a fully configured computer system, thereby the processor unit and the at least one further component in a housing are arranged. The housing will then be in a permissible Installation position arranged. Alternatively or additionally, the processor temperature when reaching the component temperature limit also in different potential Arrangement and mounting positions of the housing or of the computer system are determined, with the lowest determined processor temperature value at Reach a device temperature limit as the processor temperature limit is preset.

Advantageous is it when when crossing the Processor temperature limit additionally issued an error message is, the error message preferably via a data network and / or a Transfer data line to another data processing system becomes. The further data processing system gives an error message from and / or redirects these over another communication network on. This can in particular a service technician and / or a service center via the be reported errors. Upon reaching and / or crossing the processor temperature value, the processor clock, d. H. the clock frequency, with which the processor unit is operated, reduced. Thereby becomes the total heat development of the computer system. By reducing the overall heat development Also, the component temperatures of the other components are accordingly reduces, causing the component temperature limit after the reduction the processor clock is not over a longer one Period exceeded becomes. Preferably, the processor clock of the main processor may be continuous or be reduced or increased in several stages, thereby using help the method according to the invention a suitable clock frequency can be set at which the component limit temperature not exceeded becomes.

Same design options and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the arrangement with the Features of claim 10.

Further Embodiments and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the subsequently described in connection with the figures embodiment. The figures show:

1 a schematic representation of a motherboard of a computer system with arranged on the motherboard components; and

2 a diagram with the temperature curves of the CPU and a capacitor on the motherboard after 1 are arranged.

In 1 is a motherboard 10 shown with selected components and components. The motherboard 10 preferably comprises a printed circuit arranged in a plurality of bearings, which interconnects electrical connections of the components and components in a known and required manner. The motherboard 10 includes one in a component socket of the motherboard 10 inserted CPU 12 , other integrated circuits 14 . 16 , a connector assembly 18 for supplying supply voltages provided by a power supply, a post connector 20 for connecting at least one floppy disk drive, post connector assemblies 22 . 24 for providing one IDE bus each for connecting hard disks and optical disk drives, a backup battery 26 for providing the supply voltage of a CMOS memory for storing BIOS settings of the motherboard 10 , several in one block 28 arranged connector assemblies for connecting various peripheral devices, connector assemblies 30a to 30d a PCI bus, can be plugged into the plug-in cards to provide various functions and to connect other peripherals, connector assemblies 32a . 32b , in the boards with RAM memory blocks to provide a memory of the motherboard 10 can be plugged in, post connector 34 for connecting switches and display elements arranged on the housing of the computer system as well as a Ge housing speaker as well as a post connector 36 , whose contact terminals can be connected by means of connecting elements, so-called jumpers, to make required default settings.

On the motherboard 10 are arranged further components, such as diodes, transistors, voltage transformers, rectifiers, capacitors, resistors and inductors. A capacitor 42 and a resistance 40 serve for the preparation of at least one of the connector assembly 18 supplied supply voltage and are in particular associated with a circuit arrangement for limiting and smoothing the supply voltage. Alternatively or additionally, the components 40 . 42 Be elements of a switching power supply or voltage converter for providing a further supply voltage and / or conditioning of a supply voltage. Other components 44 to 58 are on the motherboard 10 arranged distributed. These components 44 to 58 are preferably passive components, such as capacitors, resistors and inductors. Alternatively, these devices may also be integrated circuits, semiconductor devices such as diodes, transistors or integrated circuits.

To the components 44 to 58 To protect against inadmissible heating, no solutions are known in the prior art. It is assumed that with a corresponding exchange of air, for example via a housing fan or a power supply fan of the computer system, an allowable limit temperature of these components is not exceeded. In a fan failure of such a fan, the deposition of dust or other contaminants on the components of the computer system, especially on the motherboard 10 , at an inadmissibly high ambient temperature of the computer system 10 as well as in the closing of ventilation openings of a housing of the computer system at the installation, however, the limit temperatures for these components 40 to 58 are exceeded, resulting in a malfunctioning of these components 40 to 58 can lead. Exceeding the permissible limit temperature can accelerate the aging of individual components. Especially with capacitors 42 can by an impermissibly high heating the dielectric of the condenser 42 Aging faster, and the capacity of the capacitor 42 can be influenced unfavorably.

According to the processor temperature of the CPU 12 upon reaching the limit temperature value of the capacitor 42 determined. If the determined temperature value is below the limit temperature value of the CPU 12 , so in the BIOS, the determined temperature value of the CPU 12 upon reaching the temperature limit of the capacitor 42 in the BIOS as the temperature limit of the CPU 12 preset. This will when reaching the set temperature limit, ie when reaching the limit temperature of the capacitor 42 , the clock frequency of the CPU 12 reduces and / or increases the cooling capacity for cooling the computer system, for example by activating one fan, increasing the speed of an activated fan, activating a further cooling element and / or increasing the power of the further cooling element.

The temperature of the CPU 12 is preferably determined under real conditions, ie in a closed housing of the computer system, wherein the computer system is preferably completely configured. A heating of the computer system can be used for test purposes, for. B. take place in that the ambient temperature of the computer system is increased, for example, by arranging the computer system in a climatic chamber and / or elements for cooling the computer system such. B. housing fan, power supply fan and other cooling elements disabled and ventilation openings are at least partially closed.

For every component 14 . 16 , for in the connector 32a . 32b plugged in memory modules, as well as for the components 40 to 58 The processor temperature value can be determined when the limit temperature of the respective component or component is reached. The lowest determined temperature value will then be the limit temperature of the CPU 12 in the BIOS of the motherboard 10 preset as processor temperature limit. This can ensure that no limit temperature of a component 14 . 16 . 32a . 32b . 40 to 58 is exceeded.

In 2 is a diagram that depicts the dependence of the processor temperature of the CPU 12 and the component temperature of the capacitor 42 from the clock frequency of the CPU 12 shows. The graph 70 shows the temperature profile of the CPU 12 and the graph 72 the temperature profile of the component temperature of the capacitor 42 , It is assumed that a constant ambient temperature of the computer system of for example 25 ° C. The CPU 12 has a processor temperature limit GW1 of, for example, 85 ° C. The capacitor 42 has a permissible operating temperature of, for example, 65 ° C, which is shown in the diagram 2 is specified as the temperature limit GW2. The temperature limit GW1 of the CPU 12 is achieved at a clock frequency TF2 of, for example, 3 MHz. Thus, the CPU can 12 be operated with this clock frequency TF2. But this is the permissible limit temperature of the capacitor 42 exceeded, since it is above the permissible temperature limit GW2 at the clock frequency TF2.

This unacceptably high temperature would at least accelerate the aging of the dielectric of the capacitor 42 to lead. However, this should be avoided in order to ensure safe and error-free operation of the computer system. According to the invention, the temperature value of the CPU 12 determined when the temperature of the capacitor 42 reached the temperature limit GW2. This temperature value is shown in the diagram 2 indicated as GW3. As the default processor temperature limit of the CPU 12 in the BIOS of the motherboard 10 then not the possible limit value GW1 but the limit value GW3 is entered. This causes that in the specific cooling of the test setup, the CPU 12 can only be operated with a clock frequency TF1, so that the permissible component temperature of the capacitor 42 is not exceeded. The setting of the clock frequency TF1 is done by the BIOS of the motherboard 10 automatically, whereby the BIOS reduces the processor clock from the value TF2 to the value TF1 or a lower value when the preset processor limit temperature GW3 is exceeded. This ensures that the component temperature of the capacitor 42 is not exceeded. Reducing the clock frequency, however, is only required if the ambient conditions are similarly unfavorable, such as those which have been intentionally generated in the test setup for determining the processor temperature when the component limit temperature is reached.

In the same way limit temperatures of the components can 14 . 16 . 32a . 32b . 40 . 44 to 58 be determined, wherein the lowest determined processor temperature when reaching a component temperature limit of the components 14 . 16 . 32a . 32b . 40 . 44 to 58 as the processor temperature limit in the BIOS of the motherboard 10 is preset. This may also result in improper installation of the computer system, for example, inadequate air supply to the computer system and deposits of heat-insulating materials on the motherboard 10 and individual components 12 . 14 . 16 . 32a . 32b . 40 to 58 the motherboard 10 , through which the component temperatures increase, an inadmissible heating, leading to a malfunction of individual components 12 . 14 . 16 . 32a . 32b . 40 to 58 can be avoided. In this case, preferably, the clock frequency of the CPU 12 so far reduced that the total loss heat output of the computer system and the heat loss performance of the individual components 14 . 16 . 32a . 32b . 40 to 58 of the computer system is reduced, creating a self-healing process.

Even if the permissible ambient temperature of the computer system is exceeded, the computer system or the individual components 14 . 16 . 32a . 32b . 40 to 58 The computer system is protected from overheating because the clock frequency of the CPU 12 is reduced so that the component temperature not only the CPU 12 but also the other components 14 . 16 . 32a . 32b . 40 to 58 is not exceeded. The computer system works slower, but a failure of the computer system and a malfunction of the computer system are thereby avoided.

The Invention is advantageous in computer systems without forced ventilation, in particular without CPU fan used. Such computer systems are particularly advantageous since Fan are prone to failure due to their mechanical components. Also, such Computer systems like for Applications such as POS systems, self-service terminals, information terminals, ATMs, statement printers, etc. used since these devices no or only a low noise level to have. In such computer systems, the heat dissipation is preferably via a free convection of the alternative over one over a power supply fan forced convection in the housing of the computer system.

In particular, in unfavorable conditions of use, dirt particles, such as dust and other particles in the air at the site, on components 12 to 16 . 40 to 58 , are deposited and form a heat insulating layer, whereby the heat dissipation of these components 12 to 16 . 40 to 58 is lower and at the same computing power of the computer system, a higher component temperature is expected. Occurs this increase in component temperatures also in the CPU 12 and in the other components 14 . 16 . 40 to 58 On, so are these other components 14 . 16 . 40 to 58 Protected against excessive heating when, as described, a processor temperature limit for the CPU 12 in the BIOS of the computer system 10 is preset.

To lower the component temperatures, the clock frequency of the CPU 12 reduces, so that the power loss of the other components 14 . 16 . 40 to 58 is reduced and in the case of the computer system by a reduction of that of the CPU 12 given heat a lower temperature is present and that of the other components 14 . 16 . 40 to 58 generated heat loss can be dissipated better. In addition, a service control center, preferably a service company commissioned with the maintenance of the computer system, can be informed automatically or after prior interaction by the user after issuing a corresponding error and information message on an output unit of the computer system via a data line.

The described procedure thus reduces only the processing speed of the computer system, the function of the Computer system continues to be preserved and the components 12 to 18 . 40 to 58 are protected against excessive heating.

10

motherboard

12

CPU

14 16

integrated circuits

18 20, 22, 24 and 30a to 30d, 32a, 32b, 34, 36

connector assemblies

40 to 58

passive Components (capacitors, resistors, inductors)

70 72

temperature gradients

LV1 to GW3

temperature limits

TF1, TF2

clock speed

Claims (11)

Method for protecting at least one component of a computer system with a processor ( 12 ) against overheating, in which for the component ( 42 ) of the computer system, a component temperature limit is determined at which the component ( 42 ) is still working reliably, and the processor temperature actual value of the processor ( 12 ) of the computer system upon reaching the device temperature limit of the device ( 42 ), the determined processor temperature actual value of the processor ( 12 ) upon reaching the device temperature limit of the device ( 42 ) is preset as the processor temperature limit value, and when the processor temperature limit value is reached and / or when the processor temperature limit value is exceeded by the processor temperature actual value, the clock frequency of the processor ( 12 ) is reduced. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the processor temperature actual value of the processor ( 12 ) of the computer system is preferably determined continuously. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that that upon reaching and / or exceeding the processor temperature limit an error message is output by the processor temperature actual value is, the error message preferably via a data network and / or transfer a data line to another data processing system is, with the other data processing system an error message spend and / or over forwards another communication network. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component is a passive component, preferably a capacitor ( 42 ) is. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component ( 42 ) together with the processor ( 12 ) on the motherboard ( 10 ) of the computer system is arranged. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for several further components ( 14 . 16 . 40 . 44 to 58 ) of the computer system, a component temperature limit value is determined in each case, and that the processor temperature actual value is determined upon reaching the respective component temperature limit value, wherein the lowest determined processor temperature actual value upon reaching a component temperature limit value of the components ( 14 . 16 . 40 . 44 to 58 ) is preset as the processor temperature limit. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processor ( 12 ) has no processor cooling unit. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processor temperature limit value preferably in a basic input-output system (BIOS) of the computer system for the processor ( 12 ) is the preset limit temperature. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processor ( 12 ) is a main processor of the computer system. Arrangement for protecting at least one component of a computer system against overheating, with a processor ( 12 ) and at least one further component ( 42 ), comprising means for determining a processor temperature actual value of the processor ( 12 ), wherein the processor system compares the determined processor temperature actual value with the stored processor temperature limit value, and when the processor temperature limit value is reached and / or when the processor temperature limit value is exceeded by the determined processor temperature actual value, the processor clock frequency ( 12 ), where the processor temperature limit value is preset by the processor ( 12 ) upon reaching a device temperature limit of the device ( 42 ) Has. Arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for determining the Pro temperature value in the processor ( 12 ) arranged temperature sensor comprises.