Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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. Controlling the temperature of the power supply can involve heating the power supply.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An inkjet pen includes a print head comprising a substrate, a plurality of inkjet nozzles formed into the substrate, integrated circuitry on the substrate for driving the inkjet nozzles, and a proximity interconnect transceiver formed into the substrate for receiving print data. An interconnect chip having a counterpart proximity interconnect transceiver passes the print data to the print head using capacitive coupling.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A test system including a package with interconnect paths. The package may have electrical paths that are electrically connected by the interconnect paths. The electrically connected electrical paths may yield increased data without significantly increasing the required testing hardware.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.