Abstract: Embodiments support establishing an embedded controller comprised within an Information Handling System (IHS) as a hardware root of trust. With the booting of the IHS paused and based on instructions encoded in a ROM (Read-Only Memory) of the embedded controller, the firmware of the embedded controller is read from a flash memory, such as a SPI Flash, and stored to a RAM (Random Access Memory) of the embedded controller. The firmware is then authenticated based on instructions encoded in the ROM. Based on instructions included in the authenticated firmware, the embedded controller reads SBIOS (Startup Basic Input Output System) instructions from the flash memory and stores them to RAM where they are authenticated based on instructions included in the authenticated embedded controller firmware. If the SBIOS instructions are authenticated, the embedded controller authorizes booting of the IHS to resume using the authenticated SBIOS instructions.

Abstract: A wireless adapter front end system and method for an information handling system including a wireless adapter for communicating on a plurality antenna systems for connection to a plurality of wireless links and an antenna configurable to have a plurality of antenna radiation patterns via an antenna pattern steering control interface, wherein the antenna is operating in a first antenna radiation pattern.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that may be implemented to detect and capture information related to host system hang events which may occur during booted and in-band operation of an information handling system, e.g., for further analysis such as debugging. The disclosed methods and systems may be employed to monitor for behavior that is indicative of the occurrence of a host processing device system hang event that occurs while a host operating system is booted and running on the host processing device. Information regarding the nature and/or cause of a detected system hang event may be captured and stored for further analysis and/or for identifying a corrective action.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for receiving, by an embedded controller (EC), an EC firmware update from a central processing unit (CPU); storing the EC firmware update into a buffer region of a flash memory medium via a first bus, the first bus communicatively coupling the EC and the flash memory medium; verifying the EC firmware update stored in the buffer region of the flash memory medium; and in response to verifying the EC firmware update: storing the verified EC firmware update into a primary region of the flash memory medium; and loading the verified EC firmware update from the primary region into an EC memory medium of the EC via the first bus.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a BIOS ROM that stores a first firmware volume of BIOS code. A non-volatile memory device includes a first boot partition that stores a second firmware volume of the BIOS code. A processor executes the first and second firmware volumes during a Pre-EFI Initialization phase of a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface boot process.

Abstract: A system for secure processing of intra-processor data comprising firmware configured to operate on a processor. An operating system configured to operate on the processor. Payload configured to operate on the processor. An embedded controller coupled to the firmware, the operating system and the payload, wherein the embedded controller is configured to enable messaging between the firmware, the operating system and the payload.

Abstract: An IHS (Information Handling System) may be charged via a wireless power coupling between components of a charging pad and components of the IHS. An IHS may be vulnerable to malicious and unsupported charging pad operations that may result in unsafe conditions or damage. Embodiments provide for authentication of wireless charging systems. A first token is transmitted to a wireless power reception unit (PRU) where it is encrypted using a private key of the wireless PRU. The wireless PRU is authenticated if decryption of a response from the PRU results in recovery of the first token. A second token is transmitted to a wireless power transmission unit (PTU) where it is encrypted using a private key of the wireless PTU. The wireless PTU is authenticated if decryption of a response from the PTU results in recovery of the second token.

Abstract: An information handling system receives power from plural power sources by managing bi-directional power transfer at plural cable ports to maintain matched impedance across plural power sources. A power manager of an information handling system exchanges power characteristics with the plural power sources to coordinate power transfer in proportion to current capability of the power sources so that voltage droop at the different external power sources remains the same during variable power draws.

Abstract: A feedback line to an embedded controller from a component that intermittently sends data not distinguishable by the embedded controller initiates an error if data expected at the embedded controller is not distinguishable, such as with low cooling fan speed tachometer feedback. The embedded controller has a resistor divider circuit associated with the component that provides a high or low pin value at the embedded circuit based upon whether a component interfaces with a pin, such as a pulse width modulation output. The embedded controller checks for presence of the component in the absence of feedback as a reference to know whether an error exists relating to component feedback.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securely sharing a memory between an Embedded Controller (EC) and a Platform Controller Hub (PCH). In some embodiments, an IHS may include: a chipset; a flash device coupled to the chipset; and an EC coupled to the flash device via a first bus and to the chipset via a second bus, wherein the EC comprises a Read-Only Memory (ROM) portion and a Random Access Memory (RAM) portion, the EC configured to: retrieve EC firmware from the flash device via the first bus; store the retrieved EC firmware in the RAM portion; and prior to the execution of any instruction stored in the RAM portion, relinquish access to the flash device via the first bus.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for receiving, by an embedded controller (EC), an EC firmware update from a central processing unit (CPU); storing the EC firmware update into a buffer region of a flash memory medium via a first bus, the first bus communicatively coupling the EC and the flash memory medium; verifying the EC firmware update stored in the buffer region of the flash memory medium; and in response to verifying the EC firmware update: storing the verified EC firmware update into a primary region of the flash memory medium; and loading the verified EC firmware update from the primary region into an EC memory medium of the EC via the first bus.

Abstract: A location multi-factor verification method may comprise initiating a boot process of a client device via firmware of the client device, receiving, via a network interface device, an access point (AP) beacon frame identifying a nearby AP, transmitting the AP beacon frame to a location determination service via the network interface device, receiving a geographic location estimation from the location determination service, based on the AP beacon frame, transmitting the geographic location estimation to the nearby AP, and granting a user of the client device access to an operating system of the client device if a boot process authorization instruction is received at the client device via the network interface device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs encoded on computer storage medium, for polling a battery management unit (BMU) that is coupled to a battery power source, the polling including identifying parameters associated with the battery power source and are stored by registers; determining that an AC power source is not actively providing power to the IHS; determining that the battery power source does not support dynamic battery power technology (DBPT); determining that the RSoC of the battery power source is greater than a first threshold percentage and less than a second threshold percentage; determining an updated processor peak power (PPP) value based on i) the RSOC, ii) a minimum PPP of the processor at the first threshold percentage, and iii) a maximum PPP of the processor at the second threshold percentage; and updating the registers based on the updated PPP.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a tamper-proof, dual-boot Information Handling System (IHS) having Operating System (OS)-specific hardware and/or firmware components. In some embodiments, a method may include: producing, by an Embedded Controller (EC) of an IHS, a Real-Time Clock (RTC) battery-powered General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) control or external latch; applying the RTC battery-powered GPIO control to a chip select circuit; and selecting, via the chip select circuit: (i) a first flash memory configured to boot the IHS into a diagnostic mode or first OS, or (ii) a second flash memory configured to boot the IHS into a native OS.

Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) may include a platform controller hub (PCH), an embedded controller (EC) configured to execute a boot block stored in ROM to initiate a boot process for the IHS, a Flash memory device configured to store EC application firmware, boot firmware and backup boot firmware, which is substantially identical to the boot firmware, and an SPI bus that directly connects the EC to the Flash memory device during a portion of the boot process when the PCH is in reset. The EC uses the SPI bus to access the Flash memory device, retrieve the EC application firmware stored therein, store a local copy of the EC application firmware in internal RAM and execute the local copy of the EC application firmware while the PCH is in reset. The EC application firmware stored in RAM includes boot recovery firmware, which may be executed by the EC to restore the boot firmware if the boot firmware is damaged or corrupt.

Abstract: A power-subsystem-monitoring-based computing system includes a power subsystem coupled to a first computing component. A throttling engine throttles the first computing component when the power subsystem exceeds its maximum power consumption, and de-throttles the first computing component when the power subsystem no longer exceeds its maximum power consumption. The throttling engine also throttles the first computing component when the power subsystem exceeds its rated power consumption for a first time period, and de-throttles the first computing component when the power subsystem no longer exceeds its rated power consumption.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a graphics processing unit and an embedded controller. The embedded controller is communicatively coupled to the graphics processing unit, and executes instructions to perform one or more operations. The embedded controller to set an active count associated with a graphics processing unit to a predetermined value. The embedded controller to monitor an active pin of the graphics processing unit. The embedded controller to receive the temperature of the graphics processing unit from the temperature sensor. In response to the determination that the temperature of the graphics processing unit satisfies a first temperature threshold: the embedded controller to change a state in a power state table to a high power state based on the temperature of the graphics process unit and the active count, wherein the state of the power state table is associated with a central processing unit of the information handling system.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a BIOS ROM that stores a first firmware volume of BIOS code. A non-volatile memory device includes a first boot partition that stores a second firmware volume of the BIOS code. A processor executes the first and second firmware volumes during a Pre-EFI Initialization phase of a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface boot process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing pre-boot services in an Information Handling System (IHS) having Operating System (OS)-specific hardware and/or firmware components. In some embodiments, an IHS may include an Embedded Controller (EC), a first Operating System (OS)-specific chip coupled to the EC, and a second OS-specific chip coupled to the EC, where the EC is configured to cause the IHS to: in a first mode of operation, perform a first boot procedure using the first OS-specific chip; and in a second mode of operation, perform a second boot procedure using the second OS-specific chip.

Abstract: A mobile device receives a request for diagnosis from an information handling system in a service mode, diagnoses the information handling system in response to the request, and executes a routine to troubleshoot the information handling system based on results of the diagnosing the information handling system. The mobile device accesses the information handling system at a basic input/output system level while executing the routine to troubleshoot.