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Embedded controller
please note:
- the content below is remote from Wikipedia
- it has been imported raw for GetWiki
{{multiple issues|{{more footnotes needed|date=June 2014}}{{unreliable sources|date=June 2014}}}}An Embedded Controller (EC) is a microcontroller in computers that handles various system tasks. Now it is usually merged with Super I/O, especially on mobile platforms (such as laptop).- the content below is remote from Wikipedia
- it has been imported raw for GetWiki
Tasks
An embedded controller can have the following tasks:- Receiving and processing signals from the keyboardWEB,weblink The PS/2 Keyboard Interface,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304080022weblink">weblink 2016-03-04, and the touchpad (including touchpad disable)
- Other buttons and switches (e.g., power button, laptop lid switch (received from hall sensor))WEB,weblink AMI Embedded Controller (EC) Firmware Solution, 2014-12-28, 2016-03-04,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304032338weblink">weblink dead,
- Controlling access to the A20 lineWEB,weblink A20 - a pain from the past,
- Thermal measurement (CPU, GPU, Motherboard) and response including fan control, CPU and GPU throttling, and emergency shutdown in response to rising temperatures
- Controlling indicator LEDs (e.g. caps lock, scroll lock, num lock, battery, ac, power, wireless LAN, sleep)
- Managing the battery charger and the battery
- Allowing remote diagnostics and remediation over the network
- Performing software-requested CPU reset
- Controlling the watchdog timer
- System Management Interrupt (entry to System Management Mode)
- Bluetooth toggle
- Display backlight toggle
- USB OC (overcurrent) (USB disable)
- Display power toggle
- Controls RGB lighting
- eSATA toggle
- Wake-on-LAN
- Debug Card Interface (Enables repair centers to monitor the boot process with a special device in an attempt to fix problems)
- SCI from the Embedded Controller to inform the ACPI driver (in the {{abbr|OS|Operating system}}) of an ACPI Event
Ergonomics
Although the embedded controller is very "deep" in the system, it is important to the user because it performs functions such as fan control and thermal management. Computer systems such as laptops often produce large amounts of heat which must be dissipated. This is typically done by activating a fan to blow air over the components that are producing heat; the fan is not simply turned on or off, but is driven at high speed by the embedded controller for a short time and then left running at low speed until the temperature has decreased sufficiently. Such a control scheme can be uncomfortable from an ergonomic point of view, as the change in fan speed is noticeable to the user, especially if this occurs regularly and if the fan is clearly audible.To prevent this, some embedded controllers are designed to run the fans at a constant speed over a larger range of temperatures and will only increase fan speed when the system is close to overheating. In this case, the ergonomics of the system are improved because the fan is quieter, as it is controlled to rotate at a lower speed and does not change speed as often. However, when the temperature does cross the controller's threshold, it will take much longer to reduce the temperature to safe levels.To change the fan control policy, updates to the embedded controller's firmware are usually necessary.Common Brands
- NuvotonWEB, EC (Embedded Controller),weblink Nuvoton, 19 October 2023,
- ITE tech. Inc.
- Microchip TechnologyWEB, Embedded Controllers and Keyboar Controllers,weblink Microchip Technology, 19 October 2023,
See also
- Super I/O
- Low Pin Count (LPC)
- Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)
References
{{reflist}}External links
- Matthew Garrett: The ACPI Embedded Controller
- coreboot: List of embedded controllers as they are used in laptops
- content above as imported from Wikipedia
- "Embedded controller" does not exist on GetWiki (yet)
- time: 5:02am EDT - Sat, May 18 2024
- "Embedded controller" does not exist on GetWiki (yet)
- time: 5:02am EDT - Sat, May 18 2024
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