Lower Energy Lower Energy Computer SystemComputer System

-- Operation System running -- Operation System running on USB Flash driveon USB Flash drive

IanIan

Feasibility StudyFeasibility Study

Business Problem:Business Problem:• Now the modern computer consume a Now the modern computer consume a

lot of energy. Desk top computer lot of energy. Desk top computer usually are 300w – 400w, even more. usually are 300w – 400w, even more.

• But in a emergency condition, we But in a emergency condition, we need limited power to support as long need limited power to support as long as possible to make the computer as possible to make the computer even the internet work. even the internet work.

• ..

Feasibility StudyFeasibility Study

Current Situation:Current Situation:• A desktop (or laptop) computer with A desktop (or laptop) computer with

the ability to boot from USB flash the ability to boot from USB flash drive.drive.

Feasibility StudyFeasibility Study

Approach Overview:Approach Overview:

One way is to running One way is to running

system from USB flash system from USB flash

drive, it works same to RAM, it can drive, it works same to RAM, it can save 10% power than running OS save 10% power than running OS from hard disk. When read data from from hard disk. When read data from hard disk, it normally use 15% hard disk, it normally use 15% power of total, and RAM only 5%.power of total, and RAM only 5%.

Feasibility StudyFeasibility Study

Potential Solutions:Potential Solutions:• Boot windows xp Operation System froBoot windows xp Operation System fro

m USB flash drive.m USB flash drive.• Boot linux Operation System from USB Boot linux Operation System from USB

flash drive.flash drive.

Windows VS Linux Windows VS Linux --- ---power power

consumptionconsumption Frequency(MHz)

LinuxIdle

LinuxMax

WindowsIdle

WindowsMax

600 14.31 16.54 11.24 14.85

800 15.69 20.98

1000 15.88 22.71

1200 16.47 25.71

1300 16.9 27.45 12.84 25.53

Windows VS LinuxWindows VS Linux

Windows XPWindows XP Linux Linux UBUNTUUBUNTU

priceprice $238$238 freefree

Office Office include?include?

NONO yesyes

Easy to make Easy to make boot from boot from USB?USB?

Very hardVery hard hardhard

Can drive all Can drive all the the component ?component ?

NoNo YesYes

Easy to use?Easy to use? yesyes Need trainingNeed training

Can working Can working on any PC?on any PC?

Some times Some times notnot

YesYes

Hard drive VS USB flash Hard drive VS USB flash drivedrive

• Hard drive power consumption Hard drive power consumption round 10watts, depend on capacity round 10watts, depend on capacity and brand. when it is start is and brand. when it is start is consume more power than idle time, consume more power than idle time, up to 30 watts. up to 30 watts.

• Flash drive using is a special Ram, Flash drive using is a special Ram, power consumption under 1 watts.power consumption under 1 watts.

Cost EstimateCost Estimate

- USB Flash Drive with bootable function. - USB Flash Drive with bootable function. 4-8GMB price: $1004-8GMB price: $100

- Operation system that will install on USB:- Operation system that will install on USB:– Windows XP professional Windows XP professional – Office work on USBOffice work on USB– Linux operation system (Ubuntu 7.10)Linux operation system (Ubuntu 7.10)

price :$500price :$500

Sketch Sketch

Installation and TestInstallation and Test

• Windows XP Windows XP

Instruction: install windows in Instruction: install windows in USB trail 5 USB trail 5

Result: Result: failfail• Linux OS (UBUNTU 7.10) Linux OS (UBUNTU 7.10)

Instruction: install UBUNTU Instruction: install UBUNTU desktop version 7.10 in USB desktop version 7.10 in USB

Result: Result: passpass