Talk Proposal: Linux Smart PC Solution Builder

[Patil Rajesh]

[AMD Official Use Only - AMD Internal Distribution Only]

Hi Team,

 

Please find below talk proposal for the upcoming Linux kernel meetup bangalore-2026.

 

Talk Title: Linux Smart PC Solution Builder

 

ABSTRACT

==========

 

The Linux Smart PC Solution Builder is an innovative power management framework

designed for AMD APU-based systems, enabling OEMs to define custom PMF (Platform

Management Framework) policies for optimized power and performance management.

A policy is a rule that combines input conditions (such as battery level, user

presence, or ambient light) with output actions (like adjusting display brightness

or entering low-power mode) - for example, "if user is away, activate screen lock"

or "if battery is below 15%, reduce system power limits." Traditional power

management routines in AMD APUs and Linux OS, while functional, often fail to

achieve optimal power utilization within available power/performance budgets.

Applications frequently consume more power than necessary, leading to excessive

battery drain.

 

The Smart PC Builder addresses these challenges by providing a centralized

framework that dynamically manages APU performance, power, and system thermals

based on sensor inputs, OS hints, platform states, and APU metrics. OEMs can

create custom policies using logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) with parenthesis

support, enabling complex conditions such as adjusting display brightness based

on ambient light, or transitioning to low-power states when battery levels are

critical.

 

This talk will focus on the architecture, implementation details

within the Linux kernel, policy evaluation mechanisms using Trusted Execution

Environment (TEE), and real-world results showing improved battery life without

compromising user experience.

 

 

OUTLINE OF KEY POINTS

=====================

 

1. Introduction

   - Overview of PMF (Platform Management Framework) capabilities

   - What is Smart PC Builder and its purpose

   - Role in the Linux kernel ecosystem

 

2. Problem Statement

   - Current limitations of native power management in Linux

   - OEM challenges with power control mechanisms

   - Lack of application-level power awareness

   - Absence of intelligent activity monitoring

 

3. Proposed Solution

   - Architecture Overview

   - Policy Builder Mechanism

   - Security & Trusted Execution

   - Policy Loading Mechanisms

 

4. Q&A

    -Open discussion with audience

    -Implementation clarifications

 

 

SPEAKER BIO

============

 

I am a senior Linux kernel developer at AMD, specializing in platform drivers

for x86 systems. As a key contributor to the AMD PMF (Platform Management Framework)

driver and I have contributed to enable advanced power management and Smart PC

solutions for AMD's mobile processors in the upstream Linux kernel.

 

My work focuses on the AMD PMF subsystem within platform-x86, collaboration

on implementing power management features, policy-based thermal management,

and firmware interfaces. I have experience with PMFW (Power Management Firmware)

communication and Smart PC Solution Builder development for AMD APU platforms

including Ryzen mobile processors.

 

Prior contributions include work on AMD platform drivers for power optimization,

custom BIOS input handling and sensor integration from AMD SFH driver.

 

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

=====================

 

Name:       Rajesh Reddy Patil

Email:       Patil...@amd.com

 

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

=================

 

Code Reference: drivers/platform/x86/amd/pmf/

Co-author:      Shyam Sundar S K Shyam-su...@amd.com

 

 

 

Thanks,

Rajesh Reddy Patil