Patents by Inventor James W. Alexander

James W. Alexander has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10037069
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of an apparatus configured for dynamic link width modulation, a system including an apparatus configured for dynamic link width modulation, a method for dynamic link width modulation, and computer-readable media having instructions that, if executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to perform a dynamic link width modulation method. An apparatus configured for dynamic link width modulation may include a first counter for determining a length of a queue of packets at a source of a link, a second counter for determining a rate of utilization of the link, and a power control unit configured to modify a width of the link based at least in part on the length of the queue and the rate of utilization. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neven M. Abou Gazala, James W. Alexander, Devadatta V. Bodas
  • Patent number: 9588823
    Abstract: A system and method for distributed computing, including executing a job of distributed computing on compute nodes. The speed of parallel tasks of the job executing on the compute nodes are adjusted to increase performance of the job or to lower power consumption of the job, or both, wherein the adjusting is based on imbalances of respective speeds of the parallel tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Muralidhar Rajappa, Andy Hoffman, Devadatta V. Bodas, Justin J. Song, James W. Alexander
  • Patent number: 9568978
    Abstract: Since the maximum power consumption is largely a concern at the power supply domain, a limited number of nodes may be allowed to consume their maximum power consumption by preventing other nodes from consuming their maximum power consumption. This approach may be used either instead of or in cooperation with existing maximum power consumption regulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Burns, James W. Alexander, Muralidhar Rajappa
  • Publication number: 20170003730
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of an apparatus configured for dynamic link width modulation, a system including an apparatus configured for dynamic link width modulation, a method for dynamic link width modulation, and computer-readable media having instructions that, if executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to perform a dynamic link width modulation method. An apparatus configured for dynamic link width modulation may include a first counter for determining a length of a queue of packets at a source of a link, a second counter for determining a rate of utilization of the link, and a power control unit configured to modify a width of the link based at least in part on the length of the queue and the rate of utilization. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Neven M. Abou Gazala, James W. Alexander, Devadatta V. Bodas
  • Publication number: 20160188379
    Abstract: A system and method for distributed computing, including executing a job of distributed computing on compute nodes. The speed of parallel tasks of the job executing on the compute nodes are adjusted to increase performance of the job or to lower power consumption of the job, or both, wherein the adjusting is based on imbalances of respective speeds of the parallel tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Muralidhar Rajappa, Andy Hoffman, Devadatta V. Bodas, Justin J. Song, James W. Alexander
  • Patent number: 9292465
    Abstract: Embodiments help dynamically configure the width of PCIe links and also determine how to best configure the appropriate link width. This helps avoid situations where PCIe links are almost always active even at very low traffic rates. Embodiments achieve these benefits based on, for example, run-time monitoring of bandwidth requirement for integrated and non-integrated ports located downstream for the PCIe controller. This provides power savings with little impact on performance. Other embodiments are discussed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Malay Trivedi, Mohan K. Nair, Joseph Murray, Devadatta V. Bodas, James W. Alexander, Vijayendra K. Hoskoti
  • Patent number: 9280194
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of an apparatus configured for dynamic link width modulation, a system including an apparatus configured for dynamic link width modulation, a method for dynamic link width modulation, and computer-readable media having instructions that, if executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to perform a dynamic link width modulation method. An apparatus configured for dynamic link width modulation may include a first counter for determining a length of a queue of packets at a source of a link, a second counter for determining a rate of utilization of the link, and a power control unit configured to modify a width of the link based at least in part on the length of the queue and the rate of utilization. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Neven M. Abou Gazala, James W. Alexander, Devadatta V. Bodas
  • Patent number: 9195404
    Abstract: Mechanisms for exposing a protected memory address are provided. A processing device may store a data value at a protected memory address. The protected memory address may be a control register or a status register. The processing device may identify a mirror relationship between the protected memory address and an unprotected memory address and copy the data value from the protected memory address to the unprotected memory address. The unprotected memory address may be directly accessible via an external interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Alexander, Devadatta V. Bodas, Muralidhar Rajappa, Ramkumar Nagappan, Andy Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20150169224
    Abstract: Mechanisms for exposing a protected memory address are provided. A processing device may store a data value at a protected memory address. The protected memory address may be a control register or a status register. The processing device may identify a mirror relationship between the protected memory address and an unprotected memory address and copy the data value from the protected memory address to the unprotected memory address. The unprotected memory address may be directly accessible via an external interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: James W. Alexander, Devadatta V. Bodas, Muralidhar Rajappa, Ramkumar Nagappan, Andy Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20150089254
    Abstract: Since the maximum power consumption is largely a concern at the power supply domain, a limited number of nodes may be allowed to consume their maximum power consumption by preventing other nodes from consuming their maximum power consumption. This approach may be used either instead of or in cooperation with existing maximum power consumption regulators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: James S. Burns, James W. Alexander, Muralidhar Rajappa
  • Patent number: 8935578
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to optimize the latency and the power of a link operating inside a processor-based system. The apparatus and method include a latency meter built into a queue that does not rely on a queue-depth threshold. The apparatus and method also include feedback logic that optimizes power reduction around an increasing latency target to react to sluggish re-provisioning behavior imposed by the physical properties of the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Alexander, Buck W. Gremel, Pinkesh J. Shah, Malay Trivedi, Mohan K. Nair
  • Patent number: 8719606
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to optimization of performance and/or power consumption during memory power down state are described. In an embodiment, a memory controller may include logic to cause one or more ranks of a DIMM to enter a clock enable slow mode. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Son H. Lam, James W. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20140095944
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to optimize the latency and the power of a link operating inside a processor-based system. The apparatus and method include a latency meter built into a queue that does not rely on a queue-depth threshold. The apparatus and method also include feedback logic that optimizes power reduction around an increasing latency target to react to sluggish re-provisioning behavior imposed by the physical properties of the link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: James W. Alexander, Buck W. Gremel, Pinkesh J. Shah, Malay Trivedi, Mohan K. Nair
  • Patent number: 8661284
    Abstract: A method and system to improve the operations of a registered memory module. In one embodiment of the invention, the registered memory module allows asynchronous read and write operations when a clock circuit in the registered memory module is being activated. In another embodiment of the invention, the registered memory module allows enabling or disabling of its clock circuit without any interruption of its operation. When the clock circuit in the registered memory module is disabled, the power consumption of the registered memory module can be reduced. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the registered memory module is allowed to enter or exit an asynchronous operation mode without entering or exiting a self-refresh or pre-charge power down operation mode of the registered memory module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Alexander, Kuljit S. Bains, Howard S. David
  • Publication number: 20140019654
    Abstract: Embodiments help dynamically configure the width of PCIe links and also determine how to best configure the appropriate link width. This helps avoid situations where PCIe links are almost always active even at very low traffic rates. Embodiments achieve these benefits based on, for example, run-time monitoring of bandwidth requirement for integrated and non-integrated ports located downstream for the PCIe controller. This provides power savings with little impact on performance. Other embodiments are discussed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Malay Trivedi, Mohan K. Nair, Joseph Murray, Devadatta V. Bodas, James W. Alexander, Vijayendra K. Hoskoti
  • Publication number: 20130346772
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of an apparatus configured for dynamic link width modulation, a system including an apparatus configured for dynamic link width modulation, a method for dynamic link width modulation, and computer-readable media having instructions that, if executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to perform a dynamic link width modulation method. An apparatus configured for dynamic link width modulation may include a first counter for determining a length of a queue of packets at a source of a link, a second counter for determining a rate of utilization of the link, and a power control unit configured to modify a width of the link based at least in part on the length of the queue and the rate of utilization. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Neven M. Abou Gazala, James W. Alexander, Devadatta V. Bodas
  • Publication number: 20130145197
    Abstract: A method and system to improve the operations of a registered memory module. In one embodiment of the invention, the registered memory module allows asynchronous read and write operations when a clock circuit in the registered memory module is being activated. In another embodiment of the invention, the registered memory module allows enabling or disabling of its clock circuit without any interruption of its operation. When the clock circuit in the registered memory module is disabled, the power consumption of the registered memory module can be reduced. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the registered memory module is allowed to enter or exit an asynchronous operation mode without entering or exiting a self-refresh or pre-charge power down operation mode of the registered memory module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: James W. Alexander, Kuljit S. Bains, Howard S. David
  • Patent number: 8438410
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for dynamic memory frequency/voltage scaling to augment existing memory power management techniques and further improve memory power efficiency. Each operating point is defined as an operational state for the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Howard S. David, Ulf R. Hanebutte, Eugene Gorbatov, James W. Alexander, Suneeta Sah
  • Patent number: 8429367
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for clock enable (CKE) coordination. In some embodiments, a memory controller includes logic to predict whether a scheduled request will be issued to a rank. The memory controller may also include logic to predict whether a scheduled request will not be issued to the rank. In some embodiments, the clock enable (CKE) is asserted or de-asserted to a rank based, at least in part, on the predictions. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Alexander, Son H. Lam, Devadatta V. Bodas, Krishna Kant, Kai Cheng, Ian M. Steiner, Gopikrishna Jandhyala
  • Patent number: 8375241
    Abstract: A method and system to improve the operations of a registered memory module. In one embodiment of the invention, the registered memory module allows asynchronous read and write operations when a clock circuit in the registered memory module is being activated. In another embodiment of the invention, the registered memory module allows enabling or disabling of its clock circuit without any interruption of its operation. When the clock circuit in the registered memory module is disabled, the power consumption of the registered memory module can be reduced. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the registered memory module is allowed to enter or exit an asynchronous operation mode without entering or exiting a self-refresh or pre-charge power down operation mode of the registered memory module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Alexander, Kuljit S. Bains, Howard S. David