Power Consumption Estimation by IIR digital filter for Computer Power Supply Efficiency Improvement

Energy conservation of information and communications technology (ICT) systems has become a top priority issue. Since processors loads tend to be light when running practical applications, the concept of adaptive power efficiency control using processor performance counter has been proposed to improve power efficiency over a wide range of computer workloads. However, the most appropriate ways to implement this concept have not yet been sufficiently clarified. This study examines the use of infinite impulse response (IIR) digital filters as a method for estimating processor power consumption. Herein, this paper reports on the development of a IIR filter test board, and shows how it properly replicates the real processor power loads. It also reports on the results of efficiency improvement by an adaptive power efficiency control integrating the IIR filter, which show that the system is effective for reducing processor power supply losses.