Abstract: A fan system is described for cooling a heat dissipating component within an electronic system. The fan system includes a fan that is controllable to a desired operating speed and operatively connected to the heat dissipating component. The fan system further includes a fan manager that determines an operating parameter indicative of the heat dissipated by the heat dissipating component, calculates a control signal indicative of the desired speed of the fan based upon the value of the operating parameter, and communicates the control signal to the fan to control its speed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention recites a lightpipe having a major axis, a first end, and a second end. A light emitting feature having a defined surface is located along the length of the lightpipe. The light emitting feature is adapted to transmit electromagnetic energy of a specific visible wavelength of light from inside the lightpipe to outside the lightpipe.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to an apparatus for supplying redundant power to a plurality of computer systems. The apparatus includes at least one bus bar, a plurality of power supplies each supplying power at a same voltage level, a plurality of power switches, and a power supply management controller. Power inputs of the computer systems are connected to the at least one bus bar. The power supplies are selectively connected to the at least one bus bar using the power switches. The power supply management controller controls the power switches such that the power is supplied redundantly to the computer systems.

Abstract: A RF-linked computer system comprises a radio tight enclosure that contains a plurality of cavities capable of accepting multiple function modules. The function modules have radio frequency communication systems that intercommunicate in multiple parallel channels and wide bandwidth within the enclosure. The RF-linked computer system further comprises an optical communication link capable of communicating to devices and systems exterior to the enclosure.

Abstract: In a system and method for managing the operating frequency of processors in a blade-based computer system, a circuit receives a signal with instructions relating to the desired operating frequency of the processors or blades. The circuit then generates a control signal based upon the specific frequency designated by the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for terminating a transmission line includes a terminating circuit coupled to a first connector portion. A second connector portion mates with the first connector portion. The second connector portion is coupled in electrical contact with the transmission line and includes one or more components, such as pins, that can radiate unwanted electromagnetic interference (EMI) when the transmission line is not terminated. The terminating circuit includes components, such as one or more resistors, that substantially match the impedance of the transmission line. The terminating circuit can also be configured to terminate other conductive lines that can pick up signal noise in a system. The terminating apparatus can be utilized on operational boards that plug into devices such as backplanes or mid-planes. Alternatively, the terminating circuit can be included on a null device or built into the first connector portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing electromagnetic interference in an electronic system, comprises a switch coupled to a conductive line, and a system management device that can be coupled to the electronic system. The system management device detects whether a device is connected in a particular location in the system, and opens the switch to disable data transmission a long the conductive line to the particular location when the device is not connected. Noise signals are thus prevented from being propagated on transmission lines that are not terminated, and EMI that can be generated by signal reflections on the unterminated conductive line is substantially reduced, if not eliminated.

Abstract: In a system and method for managing the performance of a bladed computer system, a management blade identifies one or more individual blades in a chassis. The management blade then automatically determines an optimal performance configuration for each of the individual blades and provides information about the determined optimal performance configuration for each of the individual blades to a service manager. Within the service manager, the information about the determined optimal performance configuration is processed and an individual frequency is set for at least one of the individual blades using the information processed within the service manager.

Abstract: A method includes modulating a first voltage level of a first processor and a second voltage level of a second processor within a multi-processor computer system. The first processor operates at a first performance level and the second processor operates at a second performance level. The first performance level is higher than said second performance level. A system includes means for modulating a first voltage level of a first processor, which operates at a first performance level, and means for modulating a second voltage level of a second processor, which operates at a second performance level, with a multi-processor computer system.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an input signal, which contains instructions for modulating a voltage of a blade, generating a control signal, which is determined by the instructions contained in the input signal, generating an output voltage, and providing the output voltage to the blade. A system includes receiving means for receiving an input signal, first generating means for generating a control signal, second generating means for generating an output voltage, and first providing means for providing the output voltage to the blade.

Abstract: In a system and method for the frequency management of processors or blades to allow capacity on demand a requestor of the computer system develops a need for an increased performance from the computer system. The requester then sends a request to the grantor of the computer for an increase in the computer performance. If the grantor authorizes the request, the grantor sends the requestor the requisite information needed to increase the frequency associated with blades or processors in the computer system. The computer system is then operated at an increased frequency to satisfy the demand.

Abstract: A method of optimizing performance of a memory subsystem in a computer system. This method including the step of informing the computer system of what type of memory module loading is present in the memory subsystem. The method also includes operating the memory subsystem at a first frequency that is at a chosen ratio to a second frequency at which a frontside bus (FSB) operates. Further, the method includes optimizing the performance of the memory subsystem by changing the ratio.

Abstract: A method includes modulating a first voltage level of a first processor and a second voltage level of a second processor within a processor-based system. The first processor processes applications at a first performance level and the second processor processes applications at a second performance level. The first performance level is higher than said second performance level. A system includes means for modulating a first voltage level of a first processor, which processes applications at a first performance level, and means for modulating a second voltage level of a second processor, which processes applications at a second performance level, with a processor-based system.

Abstract: In a system, method and apparatus for the frequency management of processors in a multi-processor (MP) computer system, a first processor requiring a first level of performance is operated at a specific frequency and consumes a portion of the thermal and power budget. A second processor requiring a second level of performance is operated at a second specific frequency and consumes a portion of the thermal and power budget. The overall power and thermal budget in the multi-processor computer system is maintained under the different operating frequencies.

Abstract: In a system, method and apparatus for managing the operating frequency of blades in a blade-based computer system based upon performance requirements, a first blade that requires a specific power allocation is operated at a specific frequency and consumes a portion of the thermal and power budget for the blade-based computer system. A second blade that requires a specific power allocation is operated at a specific frequency and consumes a portion of the thermal and power budget for the blade-based computer system. Additionally, the overall power and thermal budget of the blade-based computer system is maintained.

Abstract: A method includes modulating a first voltage level of a first blade and a second voltage level of a second blade within a bladed architecture system. The first blade hosts applications that require a first performance level and the second blade hosts applications that require a second performance level. The first performance level is higher than said second performance level. A system includes means for modulating a first voltage level of a first blade, which hosts applications that require a first performance level, and means for modulating a second voltage level of a second blade, which hosts applications that require a second performance level, with a bladed architecture system.

Abstract: In a blade-based computer system, the number of loaded blades in the system is determined. Next, an optimal performance configuration for each of the individual blades is determined. The optimal performance configuration is based at least in part on the number of the blades loaded in the chassis and the overall thermal and power envelope. Then an individual frequency for at least one of said individual blades is set creating a more efficiently run system.