System and method for managing fault in a power system

Abstract

A power control system comprises a plurality of power control groups, with each group comprising a plurality of individual point-of-load regulators each adapted to provide respective regulated voltage outputs. The point-of-load regulators may be selected for inclusion in a power control groups based on characteristics of loads supplied by the point-of-load regulators. An intermediate bus controller is coupled to each of said power control groups through a serial data bus interface common to each group and an OK status line for each respective group. A front end regulator provides an intermediate bus voltage to each of the plurality of power control groups and to the intermediate bus controller. The plurality of point-of-load regulators of each group each further comprises a respective fault manager adapted to detect fault conditions and selectively communicate notifications of the fault conditions to other ones of the plurality of point-of-load regulators of the group and to the intermediate bus controller. This way, a common response to the fault conditions is taken by the point-of-load regulators of the group and other groups. A method for managing faults in the power control system is also disclosed.

Description

[0001] Related application information [0002] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(c) to Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 544,569, filed February 12, 2004. technical field [0003] The present invention relates generally to power control systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for managing faults within a power control system comprising a plurality of power control groups, wherein each of the plurality of power control groups comprises Multiple individual point-of-load regulators. Background technique [0004] For example, high-end computing and telecommunication applications use perhaps more than ever highly optimized integrated circuits such as microprocessors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for which silicon Processes and / or adjustments to maximize performance and minimize cost. The result is often different power requirements for each circuit, ie different discrete voltage ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

First of all, the relatively long physical distance to be transmitted by low voltage is bound to make the large current line occupy a significant circuit board area, so that the wiring of the signal line on the circuit board is crowded.

Second, the impedance of the line carrying the high current consumes a lot of power and complicates load regulation

Third, it is difficult to adjust the volt-ampere characteristics to adapt to changes in load requirements

This is usually not enough to provide system-level protection for the load in case of failure

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