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 (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: 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: 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: Methods, systems, and computer programs encoded on computer storage medium, for identifying, for a power source, a lookup table (LUT) that includes, for each condition of the power source, i) a maximum power (p-max) of the power source for the condition and ii) a sustained power (p-sus) of the power source for the condition; examining the LUT to define calibration triggers associated with the conditions; identifying an event that satisfies a particular calibration trigger of the calibration triggers; in response to identifying the event, creating a workload for the power source; in response to the workload, determining for a particular condition associated with the particular calibration trigger, an updated p-max value for the particular condition and an updated p-sus value of the power source for the particular condition; and updating the LUT, for the particular condition, based on the updated p-max value and the updated p-sus value.

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: A method and an information handling system comprising a processor executing instructions of a basic input/output system (BIOS) module operatively connected to a network interface device standard absorption rate (SAR) antenna power control register via a bus interface and the processor executing code instructions for a power management command for altering a power level of a transmission by an operably connected transmitting antenna according to SAR requirements in response to detection at a sensor indicating a change to transmission power levels is required, where the bus interface is secured by implementing a challenge/response cryptographic system between the BIOS module and the network interface device before allowing the read/write command to access the standard absorption rate control register.

Abstract: Battery status information may be provided to an information handling system, such as a laptop computer, through the same cable as the power. The transfer of battery status information may be facilitated by a power delivery (PD) controller in the external battery that communicates with a power delivery (PD) controller in the laptop computer. One cable type that can support the transfer of battery status information is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C cable. Battery status information may be transferred as packetized data according to a vendor-defined messaging (VDM) protocol from the external battery to the laptop computer. An embedded controller within the laptop computer may decode the packets and report the battery status information to components within the laptop computer. The battery status may be accessed through application programming interfaces (APIs) by third-party applications or displayed through the operating system.

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: In one or more embodiments, one or more systems, methods, and/or processes may receive, independently of a processor of the information handling system (IHS), first credential management information and may modify, independently of the processor and based on the first credential management information, credential information stored via a secure object store of the IHS. For example, modifying the credential information may include modifying the credential information such that the IHS denies access to at least a portion of the IHS based on the credential information. In one instance, denying access to at least the portion of the IHS may include disabling at least one of password, biometric information associated with a user, and an encryption key. In another instance, denying access to at least the portion of the IHS may include remapping, independently of the processor, at least one human interface device.

Abstract: An information handling system with a touchscreen is disclosed. When the operating system has not been loaded or a driver of the touchscreen is absent, an embedded controller of the information handling system receives and presents touch input information from the touchscreen to a host processor by emulating the touchscreen as a legacy PS2 device. After the operating system is loaded and a driver for the touchscreen is running, the legacy PS2 device emulation is terminated and touch input information from the touchscreen is presented through an I/O interface to the host processor and processed by the operating system.

Abstract: Operating parameters for an information handling system may be calculated based on known and desired power consumption to quickly limit the power consumption to a desired level. When the operating parameters are calculated the amount of time wasted transitioning from one power level to another power level may be reduced. A controller for the information handling system may determining that a current drawn from a power supply exceeds a threshold level for longer than a threshold duration, calculate a throttle rate for the processor based on the current drawn from the power supply and a target current level, and control the processor to operate based on the throttle rate to reduce the current drawn from the power supply to the target current level.

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 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: 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 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 USB Type-C secondary data channel communication system includes a controller system coupled to a first USB Type-C connector. The controller system determines a second USB Type-C connector orientation when a second USB Type-C connector is connected to the first USB Type-C connector. The controller system then communicates with a connected system through a first data channel available through the second USB Type-C connector and determines that the connected system provides a second data channel mode. In response to determining the connected system provides the second data channel mode, the controller system uses the second USB Type-C connector orientation to configure the provisioning of first data through the first data channel and second data through a second data channel that is available through the second USB Type-C connector. Different data communications may then be provided to the connected system using the first and second data channels.

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: 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 system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for detecting when a lower power adapter is coupled with an information handling system having higher power requirements. More specifically, in certain embodiments, a circuit (such as an embedded controller (EC)) detects an adapter wattage when an adapter plug-in is detected. If a lower wattage power adapter is detected (e.g., a 45 W power adapter), the embedded controller activates a signal (e.g., an AC_DISABLE signal) to stop powering the information handling system from the adapter. In certain embodiments, the information handling system is powered from a battery associated with the information handling system when the power adapter power capacity does not satisfy the power requirements of the information handling system. In certain embodiments, the circuit substantially simultaneously generates a low power warning. In certain embodiments, the adapter wattage may be detected via an adapter identifier (e.g.