Auxiliary power management device and electronic system including the same

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, an auxiliary power management device for managing a plurality of energy storage devices that provide auxiliary power when an external power supply to an electronic device is interrupted may include: a plurality of switches for controlling the current of each energy storage device; a plurality of channels to which each switch is connected; a plurality of switch controllers for controlling a switch connected to a corresponding channel and monitoring channel current and channel voltage; and a management logic for controlling a switch connected to the plurality of channels in response to the detection of asymmetry in the channel current or channel voltage of each of the plurality of channels obtained from the plurality of switch controllers.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an auxiliary power management device and an electronic system including the same. Background Technology

[0003] Recently, the paradigm of the computing environment is shifting toward ubiquitous computing, which enables the use of computer systems anytime and anywhere. As a result, the use of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, and laptop computers is surging. These portable electronic devices generally utilize memory systems that employ memory devices—in other words, data storage devices. Data storage devices are used as the primary or secondary memory of portable electronic devices.

[0004] Data storage devices utilizing memory components have excellent stability and durability due to the absence of mechanical moving parts, and also offer the advantages of very fast information access speeds and low power consumption. Examples of data storage devices with these advantages include USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory devices, memory cards with various interfaces, and Solid State Drives (SSDs). The problem to be solved

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an auxiliary power management device and an electronic system including the same, which ensure reliability by guaranteeing stable system shutdown even in the event of a sudden interruption of external power supply.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide an auxiliary power management device capable of detecting various types of defects in an energy storage device that provides auxiliary power when an external power supply to an electronic device is interrupted in real time, and controlling the current flowing to the energy storage device in response to the detection of defects in the energy storage device, and an electronic system including the same. means of solving the problem

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, an auxiliary power management device for managing a plurality of energy storage devices that provide auxiliary power when an external power supply to an electronic device is interrupted may include: a plurality of switches for controlling the current of each energy storage device; a plurality of channels to which each switch is connected; a plurality of switch controllers for controlling a switch connected to a corresponding channel and monitoring channel current and channel voltage; and a management logic for controlling a switch connected to the plurality of channels in response to the detection of asymmetry in the channel current or channel voltage of each of the plurality of channels obtained from the plurality of switch controllers.

[0010] In addition, the management logic can detect an imbalance in the channel current by detecting that among the plurality of channels, the number of channels flowing with a quasi-normal level current greater than a first threshold is less than a predetermined number and persists for a predetermined period of time or longer, and can control a switch controller corresponding to the switch to change the switch connected to the channel flowing with the quasi-normal level current to an off state.

[0011] In addition, the management logic can detect an imbalance in the channel voltage by detecting that the number of switches to which a normal level voltage smaller than a second threshold is applied is less than or equal to a predetermined number for a predetermined period of time or longer, and can control the switch controller to change the switch connected to the normal level channel to an off state.

[0012] Additionally, the plurality of switch controllers monitor the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature of the corresponding channel, and control the switch connected to the channel to have one of an ON state, a current limiting state, and an OFF state based on the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature, and the current limiting state may be a state in which the switch is short-circuited but the resistance value of the switch is greater than that of the ON state.

[0013] In addition, the management logic can obtain status information of an energy storage device corresponding to each of the plurality of channels from the plurality of switch controllers in response to an interrupt signal from the plurality of switch controllers.

[0014] In addition, the plurality of switch controllers can continuously monitor the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature of the corresponding channel even when the corresponding switch is in the off state, determine the corresponding energy storage device to be in one of the normal state, dangerous state, or fault state based on the monitoring result, and provide the state information of the energy storage device to the management logic.

[0015] Additionally, the auxiliary power management device further includes a non-volatile memory device that stores state information of a switch connected to each of a plurality of channels when the external power supply is terminated, and the management logic can acquire the state information of the switch from the non-volatile memory device and provide it to a corresponding switch controller when the external power is supplied again, and the plurality of switch controllers can set the switch connected to the corresponding channel to an ON state when the external power is supplied, and when the state information is received from the management logic, they can set the state of the switch based on the received state information.

[0016] Additionally, the switch controllers control the state of the corresponding switch based on a plurality of threshold values ​​for the corresponding channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature, and the management logic obtains the plurality of threshold values ​​from an external device or an external resistance value and can provide the plurality of threshold values ​​to the switch controllers.

[0017] In addition, the switch may be a low-side switch.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic system may include: an electronic device; an auxiliary power supply comprising a plurality of channels to which an energy storage device and a switch are connected, and controlling the switch connected to the plurality of channels in response to the detection of asymmetry in the channel current or channel voltage of each of the plurality of channels; and a main power supply that charges the auxiliary power supply using an external power source during normal operation and provides the auxiliary power of the auxiliary power supply to the electronic device in the event of a sudden interruption of the external power supply.

[0019] Additionally, the auxiliary power supply may include a plurality of switch controllers that control switches connected to corresponding channels and monitor channel current and channel voltage; and management logic that detects an imbalance in channel current by detecting that among the plurality of channels, the number of channels flowing with a quasi-normal level current greater than a first threshold value is less than a predetermined number and persists for a predetermined time or longer, and controls the switch controllers corresponding to the switches to change the switches connected to the channels flowing with the quasi-normal level current to an off state.

[0020] In addition, the management logic can detect an imbalance in the channel voltage by detecting that the number of switches to which a normal level voltage smaller than a second threshold is applied is less than or equal to a predetermined number for a predetermined period of time or longer, and can control the switch controller to change the switch connected to the normal level channel to an off state.

[0021] Additionally, the auxiliary power supply unit includes a plurality of switch controllers that monitor the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature of a corresponding channel and control a switch connected to the channel to have one of an ON state, a current limiting state, and an OFF state based on the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature, and the current limiting state may be a state in which the switch is short-circuited but the resistance value of the switch is greater than that of the ON state.

[0022] In addition, the auxiliary power supply may further include management logic for acquiring status information of each of the energy storage devices of the plurality of channels from the plurality of switch controllers in response to an interrupt signal from the plurality of switch controllers.

[0023] In addition, the management logic may assert to an electronic device an interrupt regarding an energy storage device in a dangerous state among the energy storage devices of each of the plurality of channels, and if the electronic device detects that the dangerous state of the energy storage device persists based on the asserted interrupt, it may provide a control signal to the management logic to change the switch corresponding to the energy storage device to an off state.

[0024] In addition, the plurality of switch controllers can continuously monitor the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature of the corresponding channel even when the corresponding switch is in the off state, determine the corresponding energy storage device to be in one of the normal state, dangerous state, or fault state based on the monitoring result, and provide the state information of the energy storage device to the management logic.

[0025] In addition, the above management logic may express an interrupt for the energy storage device to an electronic device when the energy storage device corresponding to the switch in the off state is in a fault state, and the electronic device may provide a warning signal to the user based on the expressed interrupt.

[0026] Additionally, the auxiliary power supply may further include a non-volatile memory device that stores state information of a switch connected to each of a plurality of channels when the external power supply is terminated; and a management logic that acquires state information of the switch from the non-volatile memory device and provides it to a corresponding switch controller when the external power is supplied again, and the plurality of switch controllers may set the switch connected to the corresponding channel to an ON state when the external power is supplied, and set the state of the switch based on the received state information when state information is received from the management logic.

[0027] Additionally, the switch controllers control the state of the corresponding switch based on a plurality of threshold values ​​for the corresponding channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature, and the auxiliary power supply may further include management logic that obtains the plurality of threshold values ​​from an external device or an external resistance value and provides the plurality of threshold values ​​to the switch controllers.

[0028] In addition, the switch may be a low-side switch. Effects of the invention

[0030] The present invention can provide an auxiliary power management device and an electronic system including the same, which ensure reliability by guaranteeing stable system shutdown even in the event of a sudden interruption of external power supply.

[0031] The present invention can provide an auxiliary power management device capable of detecting various types of defects in an energy storage device that provides auxiliary power when an external power supply to an electronic device is interrupted in real time, and controlling the current flowing to the energy storage device in response to the detection of defects in the energy storage device, and an electronic system including the same. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0033] FIG. 1 shows an electronic system (20) including an auxiliary power supply unit (200). FIG. 2 shows an auxiliary power supply unit (200) including an auxiliary power management unit (230). FIGS. 3a to 3c are drawings illustrating channel current levels, channel voltage levels, and channel temperature levels for detecting various defects in an energy storage device. FIGS. 4a to 4c illustrate a method for detecting a runtime short-circuit state of an energy storage device. FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate a method for detecting an initial short-circuit state of an energy storage device. FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate a method for detecting the open state of an energy storage device. FIGS. 7a to 7c illustrate a method for detecting a dangerous state of an energy storage device. FIG. 8 shows the operation of a switch controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows the operation of the management logic (232) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows the operation of an electronic system (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an electronic system (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the example that the electronic device (300) is a storage device. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0034] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in the following description, only the parts necessary for understanding the operation according to the present invention will be described, and the description of other parts will be omitted so as not to obscure the essence of the present invention.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows an electronic system (20) including an auxiliary power supply unit (200).

[0037] The electronic system (20) may include a main power supply unit (100), an auxiliary power supply unit (200), and an electronic device (300).

[0038] The main power supply unit (100) can provide external power (EXT_PWR) input from the outside to the auxiliary power supply unit (200) and electronic device (300).

[0039] The main power supply unit (100) can provide an external power supply (EXT_PWR) as a system power supply (SYS_PWR) to the electronic device (300) when operating normally. The electronic device (300) may include a processor and memory for controlling the overall operation of the electronic system (20). For example, the electronic device (300) can use the system power supply (SYS_PWR) to output data stored internally to the outside of the electronic system (20) and receive data from outside the electronic system (20).

[0040] And, when the main power supply unit (100) is operating normally, it can provide an external power supply (EXT_PWR) as a charging power supply (CHAR_PWR) to the auxiliary power supply unit (200).

[0041] The auxiliary power supply unit (200) may include an energy storage unit set (210) and an auxiliary power management unit (230).

[0042] The energy storage device set (210) may include one or more energy storage devices. The energy storage device receives and stores charging power (CHAR_PWR) from the main power supply (100), and can supply auxiliary power (AUX_PWR) to the main power supply (100) when the external power supply (EXT_PWR) is interrupted. As an example, the energy storage device set (210) may include large-capacity capacitors.

[0043] When the main power supply unit (100) detects a sudden interruption in the supply of external power (EXT_PWR), it can provide auxiliary power (AUX_PWR) from the energy storage unit set (210) to the electronic device (300) as system power (SYS_PWR).

[0044] By using an auxiliary power supply unit (200), the main power supply unit (100) can stably shut down the electronic system (20) even in the event of a sudden interruption of the external power supply (EXT_PWR) and ensure the integrity of the electronic system (20).

[0045] An energy storage device included in the energy storage device set (210) may have a defect. If the energy storage device set (210) includes a defective energy storage device, the auxiliary power supply (200) may not be able to provide sufficient auxiliary power (AUX_PWR) to the electronic device (300) when the external power supply (EXT_PWR) is suddenly interrupted. For example, an energy storage device included in the energy storage device set (210) may become short-circuited due to a defect. When an energy storage device becomes short-circuited, current flows through the energy storage device, and almost no current flows to the normal energy storage devices connected in parallel with the energy storage device. If current does not flow to the normal energy storage devices, the normal energy storage devices may not be charged normally.

[0046] The electronic system (20) needs to detect the defect as soon as a defect occurs in the energy storage device to ensure integrity, and cut off the current flowing to the defective energy storage device.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary power management device (230) can detect in real time whether a defect has occurred in each of the energy storage devices included in the energy storage device set (210), and control the current flowing to the energy storage devices according to whether a defect has occurred.

[0048] Specifically, the auxiliary power management device (230) monitors the current, voltage, and temperature corresponding to each energy storage device and can detect various types of defects in the energy storage device in real time based on the monitoring results. Additionally, the auxiliary power management device (230) can cut off the current flowing to the defective energy storage device by controlling a switch linked to the energy storage device in which the defect was detected.

[0049] The auxiliary power management device (230) can detect the defect as soon as a defect occurs in the energy storage device and can secure sufficient auxiliary power in preparation for a sudden interruption of the supply of external power (EXT_PWR) by cutting off the current flowing to the defective energy storage device.

[0050] In addition, since the auxiliary power management device (230), which is separate from the electronic device (300), detects defects in the energy storage device in real time and controls the current flowing to the energy storage device, the resource consumption of the electronic device (300) for controlling the energy storage device can be minimized. Therefore, the overhead of the electronic device (300) can be reduced.

[0051] An auxiliary power supply device (200) according to an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows an auxiliary power supply unit (200) including an auxiliary power management unit (230).

[0053] As described with reference to FIG. 1, the auxiliary power supply unit (200) may include an energy storage unit set (210) and an auxiliary power management unit (230). The energy storage unit set (210) and the auxiliary power management unit (230) of FIG. 2 may correspond to those described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0054] The energy storage device set (210) may include a plurality of energy storage devices (ESC1 - ESC4). For example, the plurality of energy storage devices (ESC1 - ESC4) may be a battery cell, a polymer tantalum capacitor, a Multi Layer Ceramic Capacitor (MLCC), an electrolytic capacitor, or a hybrid capacitor. When a charging voltage (V_CHAR) is applied from the main power supply (100), the plurality of energy storage devices (ESC1 - ESC4) may be charged.

[0055] An energy storage device may have a fault state in which the charge is not charged normally. The fault state may include an open state in which the elements of the energy storage device are open and the charge is not charged normally, and a short state in which the elements of the energy storage device are short-circuited and the charge is not charged normally.

[0056] The auxiliary power management device (230) may include a plurality of switches (SW1 - SW4), channels (CH1 - CH4), a plurality of switch controllers (SC1 - SC4), and one or more management logics (232).

[0057] Multiple switches (SW1 - SW4) can be connected to multiple energy storage devices (ESC1 - ESC4) through channels (CH1 - CH4). Each of the multiple switches (SW1 - SW4) can control the current flowing to the corresponding energy storage device. For example, the first switch (SW1) can be connected to the first energy storage device (ESC1) through the first channel (CH1) and can control the current flowing to the first energy storage device (ESC1).

[0058] Depending on the implementation, the switches (SW1 - SW4) may be low-side switches connected between the corresponding energy storage device and the ground of the channel.

[0059] The current flowing through the channels (CH1 - CH4) may be referred to as channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4), and the voltage at the switches (SW1 - SW4) may be referred to as channel voltages (VCH1 - VCH4). The temperatures of the channels (CH1 - CH4) may be referred to as channel temperatures. For example, the channel temperatures may be obtained by sensing the temperatures of the switches (SW1 - SW4).

[0060] Each of the multiple switches (SW1 - SW4) may have one of three states, for example, an on state, an off state, and a current limiting state. The on state may refer to a state where the switch is short-circuited, and the off state may refer to a state where the switch is open. The current limiting state may refer to a state where the switch is short-circuited but the resistance value of the switch is greater than that of the on state. That is, the current limiting state may be a state in which the amount of current flowing through the channel is limited to a smaller amount compared to the on state.

[0061] Each of the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) can detect a fault in the corresponding energy storage device and control the corresponding switch to have one of the three states depending on whether a fault in the energy storage device is detected. The switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) may include sensors for sensing channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature. The switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) can use the sensors to detect a fault in the corresponding energy storage device.

[0062] The management logic (232) can support interfacing between the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) and the electronic device (300). The management logic (232) can obtain current thresholds, voltage thresholds, and temperature thresholds for detecting faults in the energy storage devices (ESC1 - ESC4) from a resistor or electronic device (300) outside the auxiliary power management device (230), and provide the obtained thresholds to the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4). Meanwhile, if the external resistor value is changed by the user or the threshold from the electronic device (300) is changed, the thresholds can be changed without changing the internal configuration of the auxiliary power management device (230).

[0063] The management logic (232) can obtain information on whether the energy storage device is defective from the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4).

[0064] Additionally, the management logic (232) can detect a fault in the energy storage device by obtaining channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4) and channel voltages (VCH1 - VCH4) from the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) and detecting an asymmetry in the channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4) and channel voltages (VCH1 - VCH4). For example, the management logic (232) may include a timer (not shown). The management logic (232) can detect a fault in the energy storage devices (ESC1 - ESC4) using the channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4) and channel voltages (VCH1 - VCH4) obtained from the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) and the timer.

[0065] The management logic (232) can provide the electronic device (300) with information regarding whether the energy storage device is defective, which is obtained from the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) or determined by the management logic (232). The electronic device (300) can provide a control signal to the management logic (232) based on the information regarding the defect, and the management logic (232) can control the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) to change the state of the switches (SW1 - SW4) in response to the control signal.

[0066] Meanwhile, FIG. 2 illustrates a case in which an auxiliary power management device (230) includes four switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) and one management logic (232), but the number of switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) and management logic (232) is not limited thereto.

[0067] With reference to FIGS. 3a through 7b, defect detection methods according to the type of defect in the energy storage device are described in detail. Hereinafter, a defect detection method is described using the case of detecting a defect in the first energy storage device (ESC1) as an example. Defects in the second to fourth energy storage devices (ESC2 - ESC4) can also be detected in substantially the same way as defects in the first energy storage device (ESC1).

[0068] FIGS. 3a to 3c are drawings illustrating channel current levels, channel voltage levels, and channel temperature levels for detecting various types of defects in an energy storage device.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 3a, the first channel current (ICH1) can be classified into normal level, quasi-normal level, dangerous level, and fault level according to its magnitude. The levels of the first channel current (ICH1) can be distinguished by the current quasi-normal threshold (ITH_QUA), the current limit threshold (ITH_LMT), and the current maximum threshold (ITH_MAX).

[0070] Referring to FIG. 3b, the first channel voltage (VCH1) can be classified into normal level, quasi-normal level, dangerous level, and fault level according to magnitude. The levels of the first channel voltage (VCH1) can be distinguished by the voltage quasi-normal threshold (VTH_QUA), the voltage limit threshold (VTH_LMT), and the voltage maximum threshold (VTH_MAX).

[0071] Referring to FIG. 3c, the first channel temperature (TCH1) can be classified into normal level, dangerous level, and fault level according to size. The levels of the first channel temperature (TCH1) can be distinguished by a temperature limit threshold (TTH_LMT) and a temperature maximum threshold (TTH_MAX).

[0072] Depending on which level the first channel current (ICH1), first channel voltage (VCH1), or first channel temperature (TCH1) corresponds to, the state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) can be determined to be a fault state, a dangerous state, or a normal state.

[0073] A fault state may refer to a state in which a fault in an energy storage device is detected based on channel current, channel voltage, or channel temperature.

[0074] A dangerous state may refer to a state in which the condition of the energy storage device does not correspond to a fault state, but the channel current needs to be limited because the channel current or channel voltage has risen excessively.

[0075] The normal state refers to a state that is not the aforementioned fault state or dangerous state, and may refer to a case where the energy storage device is not faulty, or even if the energy storage device is faulty, the switch linked to the energy storage device is normally set to the off state. For example, if the energy storage device is determined to be in a fault state and the switch corresponding to the energy storage device changes from the on state to the off state, the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature may decrease to normal levels. When the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature decrease to normal levels, the state of the energy storage device may be determined to be normal, and the switch controller may not control the switch linked to the energy storage device.

[0076] The first switch controller (SC1) can control the first switch (SW1) based on the state of the first energy storage device (ESC1). Additionally, if the first switch controller (SC1) determines that the first energy storage device (ESC1) is in a faulty state or a dangerous state, it can provide the state information of the first energy storage device (ESC1) to the management logic (232).

[0077] FIGS. 4a to 7c are drawings for illustrating methods to detect various types of defects in an energy storage device using various threshold values ​​described with reference to FIGS. 3a to 3c.

[0078] FIGS. 4a to 4c illustrate a method for detecting a runtime short-circuit state of an energy storage device.

[0079] A runtime short circuit refers to a state in which the components of an energy storage device are short-circuited due to a subsequent defect occurring in the first energy storage device (ESC1), which was defect-free at the time of production. When the first energy storage device (ESC1) enters a runtime short circuit state, the first channel current (ICH1) and the first channel voltage (VCH1) may increase rapidly. As the first channel current (ICH1) and the first channel voltage (VCH1) increase, the first channel temperature (TCH1) may also increase.

[0080] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first switch controller (SC1) can effectively detect a runtime short-circuit state of a first energy storage device (ESC1) by using all of the first channel current (ICH1), the first channel voltage (VCH1), and the first channel temperature (TCH1).

[0081] The graph in FIG. 4a shows the first channel current (ICH1) over time. On the vertical axis of the graph in FIG. 4a, a plurality of threshold values ​​associated with the first channel current (ICH1), namely the current maximum threshold (ITH_MAX), the current limit threshold (ITH_LMT), and the current quasi-normal threshold (ITH_QUA), are plotted.

[0082] The graph in FIG. 4b shows the first channel voltage (VCH1) over time. On the vertical axis of the graph in FIG. 4b, a plurality of threshold values ​​associated with the first channel voltage (VCH1), namely the voltage maximum threshold (VTH_MAX), the voltage limit threshold (VTH_LMT), and the voltage quasi-normal threshold (VTH_QUA), are shown.

[0083] The graph in FIG. 4c shows the first channel temperature (TCH1) over time. On the vertical axis of the graph in FIG. 4c, a plurality of threshold values ​​associated with the first channel temperature (TCH1), namely the temperature maximum threshold (TTH_MAX) and the temperature limit threshold (TTH_LMT), are plotted.

[0084] The first switch controller (SC1) can detect the first channel current (ICH1), the first channel voltage (VCH1), and the first channel temperature (TCH1) in real time using a sensor. The first switch controller (SC1) can determine that the first energy storage device (ESC1) is in a runtime short-circuit state if the first channel current (ICH1) exceeds a current maximum threshold (ITH_MAX), the first channel voltage (VCH1) exceeds a voltage maximum threshold (VTH_MAX), or the first channel temperature (TCH1) exceeds a temperature maximum threshold (TTH_MAX).

[0085] For example, there may be cases where the first energy storage device (ESC1) becomes short-circuited during the operation of the electronic system (20), causing the first channel current (ICH1) and the first channel voltage (VCH1) to rise rapidly but not exceed a predetermined threshold. If the first energy storage device (ESC1) remains in a runtime short-circuited state, the first channel temperature (TCH1) may continue to rise even if the first channel current (ICH1) and the first channel voltage (VCH1) do not exceed the predetermined threshold. Even if the first switch controller (SC1) fails to detect the runtime short-circuited state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) based on the first channel current (ICH1) and the first channel voltage (VCH1), it may detect the runtime short-circuited state based on the first channel temperature (TCH1).

[0086] The first switch controller (SC1) can change the state of the first switch (SW1) to the off state if it determines that the first energy storage device (ESC1) is in a runtime short-circuit state when the first switch (SW1) is in the on state. The first switch controller (SC1) can provide state information of the first energy storage device (ESC1) to the management logic (232).

[0087] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate a method for detecting an initial short-circuit state of a first energy storage device (ESC1).

[0088] The initial short-circuit state refers to a state in which the components of the energy storage device are short-circuited due to a defect present from the time of production of the first energy storage device (ESC1). If the energy storage device set (210) includes an energy storage device in the initial short-circuit state, when power is supplied to the energy storage device set (210), a larger amount of current may flow to the energy storage device in the initial short-circuit state compared to other energy storage devices. For example, a current exceeding the current quasi-normal threshold (ITH_QUA) may flow to the energy storage device in the initial short-circuit state.

[0089] Meanwhile, channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4) may rise due to external factors regardless of whether there is a defect in the energy storage devices (ESC1 - ESC4). For example, when power is supplied to the energy storage device set (210) due to the booting of the electronic system (20), the channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4) may temporarily exceed the current quasi-normal threshold (ITH_QUA). Therefore, if the first switch controller (SC1) determines the first energy storage device (ESC1) to be in an initial short-circuit state and changes the first switch (SW1) to an off state based solely on whether the first channel current (ICH1) exceeds the current quasi-normal threshold (ITH_QUA), the energy storage device in a normal state cannot be used, and the charge amount of the energy storage device set (210) may decrease.

[0090] The management logic (232) determines that the channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4) have risen due to external factors when the number of channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4) exceeding a predetermined number exceeds the current quasi-normal threshold (ITH_QUA), and does not determine the energy storage devices to be in an initial short-circuit state.

[0091] On the other hand, the management logic (232) can detect the initial short-circuit state of the energy storage device by detecting whether only a number of channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4) or fewer are above the current quasi-normal threshold (ITH_QUA) for a period of time or longer.

[0092] FIG. 5a shows the first channel current (ICH1) over time, and FIG. 5b shows the remaining channel current (ICH_other) over time. The remaining channel current (ICH_other) may refer to the second to fourth channel currents (CH2 - CH4). The current maximum threshold (ITH_MAX), current limit threshold (ITH_LMT), and current quasi-normal threshold (ITH_QUA) are plotted on the vertical axis of the graphs in FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b.

[0093] The management logic (232) can obtain the levels of channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4) in real time from the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4). The management logic (232) can detect the initial short-circuit state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) by detecting an imbalance of the channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4) based on the levels of the channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4).

[0094] For example, the management logic (232) can operate a timer when it detects that the first channel current (ICH1) exceeds the current quasi-normal threshold (ITH_QUA). The management logic (232) can determine the first energy storage device (ESC1) to be in an initial short-circuit state if, during the first time interval (P1) after the timer is triggered, the first channel current (ICH1) exceeds the current quasi-normal threshold (ITH_QUA) and the remaining channel currents (ICH_other) remain below the current quasi-normal threshold (ITH_QUA).

[0095] If the management logic (232) determines that the first energy storage device (ESC1) is in an initial short-circuit state, it can provide information on whether the first energy storage device (ESC1) is faulty to the first switch controller (SC1). If the first switch (SW1) is in an ON state, the first switch controller (SC1) can change the state of the first switch (SW1) to an OFF state based on the fault information.

[0096] FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate a method for detecting the open state of a first energy storage device (ESC1).

[0097] If the energy storage device set (210) includes an energy storage device that is in an open state, current may not flow smoothly through the energy storage device that is in an open state. On the other hand, if the energy storage device set (210) includes an energy storage device that is in an open state, a larger amount of current may flow through the energy storage devices that are not defective compared to the case where all energy storage devices are not defective.

[0098] The channel voltage can be determined based on the channel current and the resistive component of the switch included in the channel. Thus, if the energy storage device set (210) includes an energy storage device in an open state, the channel voltage of the open state channel may be lower than the channel voltage of the normal state channel. On the other hand, the channel voltage of the normal state channel may be somewhat higher than in the case where all energy storage devices (ESC1 - ESC4) are not defective.

[0099] The management logic (232) can detect the open state of the energy storage device by detecting whether the number of channel voltages (VCH1 - VCH4) below a predetermined number of channel voltages is below the voltage quasi-normal threshold (VTH_QUA) for a period of time or longer.

[0100] FIG. 6a shows the first channel voltage (VCH1) over time, and FIG. 6b shows the remaining channel voltage (VCH_other) over time. The remaining channel voltage (VCH_other) may refer to the second to fourth channel voltages (VCH2 - VCH4). On the vertical axis of the graphs in FIG. 6a and 6b, the voltage maximum threshold (VTH_MAX), voltage limit threshold (VTH_LMT), and voltage quasi-normal threshold (VTH_QUA) associated with the first channel voltage (VCH1) are plotted.

[0101] The management logic (232) can obtain the levels of channel voltages (VCH1 - VCH4) in real time from the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4). The management logic (232) can determine that the energy storage device connected to the channel below the voltage quasi-normal threshold (VTH_QUA) is in an open state if a predetermined number or more of the channel voltages among the channel voltages (VCH1 - VCH4) exceed the voltage quasi-normal threshold (VTH_QUA) and the other channel voltages remain below the voltage quasi-normal threshold (VTH_QUA) for a second time interval (P2) or longer.

[0102] For example, the management logic (232) can activate a timer when three channel voltages, for example, the remaining channel voltages (VCH_other) exceed the voltage quasi-normal threshold (VTH_QUA). The management logic (232) can determine that the first energy storage device (ESC1) is in an open state if, after the timer is triggered, the remaining channel voltages (VCH_other) exceed the voltage quasi-normal threshold (VTH_QUA) and the first channel voltage (VCH1) is below the voltage quasi-normal threshold (VTH_QUA) for a period of time longer than the second time interval (P2).

[0103] The management logic (232) can provide information on whether the first energy storage device (ESC1) is faulty to the first switch controller (SC1). When the first switch (SW1) is in the ON state, the first switch controller (SC1) can change the state of the first switch (SW1) to the OFF state based on the fault information.

[0104] FIGS. 7a to 7c illustrate a method for detecting a dangerous state of an energy storage device.

[0105] When the first switch controller (SC1) detects a dangerous state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) based on the first channel voltage (VCH1), the first channel current (ICH1), and the first channel temperature (TCH1), it can change the state of the first switch (SW1) to a current limiting state.

[0106] The first switch controller (SC1) can detect a dangerous state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) when the first channel current (ICH1) exceeds the current limit threshold (ITH_LMT), the first channel voltage (VCH1) exceeds the voltage limit threshold (VTH_LMT), or the first channel temperature (TCH1) exceeds the temperature limit threshold (TTH_LMT). When the first switch controller (SC1) detects a dangerous state of the first energy storage device (ESC1), it can provide status information of the first energy storage device (ESC1) to the management logic (232). Additionally, the first switch controller (SC1) can change the state of the first switch (SW1) to a current limit state when the first switch (SW1) is in the ON state and the first energy storage device (ESC1) is in a dangerous state.

[0107] FIG. 7a illustrates the first channel current (ICH1) over time. The current maximum threshold (ITH_MAX), current limit threshold (ITH_LMT), and current quasi-steady threshold (ITH_QUA) are plotted on the vertical axis of the graph in FIG. 7a.

[0108] In the example of FIG. 7a, the first channel current (ICH1) may rise above the current limit threshold (ITH_LMT) at the first time point (T1). When the first switch controller (SC1) detects that the first channel current (ICH1) is above the current limit threshold (ITH_LMT), it detects the dangerous state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) and can change the state of the first switch (SW1) to a current limit state. The first switch controller (SC1) can provide an interrupt signal to the memory controller (130) to notify the dangerous state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) through management logic (232).

[0109] Cases in which the first energy storage device (ESC1) is determined to be in a dangerous state may include cases where the first energy storage device (ESC1) is not defective, but the first channel current (ICH1) temporarily rises due to external factors. When the first energy storage device (ESC1) is not defective, the first channel current (ICH1) can be successfully limited by the first switch (SW1).

[0110] When the first switch (SW1) is in a current limiting state, the first switch controller (SC1) can determine the first energy storage device (ESC1) to a normal state and change the state of the first switch (SW1) to an ON state when the first channel current (ICH1) decreases below the current limiting threshold (ITH_LMT). For example, at a second time point (T2), the first switch controller (SC1) can change the state of the first switch (SW1) to an ON state.

[0111] At the third time point (T3), the first channel current (ICH1) may rise again above the current limit threshold (ITH_LMT). The first switch controller (SC1) detects a dangerous state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) and can change the state of the first switch (SW1) to a current limit state.

[0112] Cases in which the first energy storage device (ESC1) is determined to be in a dangerous state may further include cases where the first energy storage device (ESC1) is degraded and there is a risk of it becoming defective. If the first energy storage device (ESC1) is degraded, the first channel current (ICH1) may not be successfully limited by the first switch (SW1) and may remain above the current limit threshold (ITH_LMT).

[0113] At the fourth time point (T4), the first switch controller (SC1) can change the state of the first switch (SW1) to the off state if the first energy storage device (ESC1) is determined to be in a faulty state. As a first example, if the first switch controller (SC1) detects the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature and determines that the first energy storage device (ESC1) is in a faulty state, the first switch (SW1) can be turned off. As a second example, if the first energy storage device (ESC1) changes to a faulty state according to the control of the memory controller (130), the first switch (SW1) can be turned off.

[0114] FIG. 7b illustrates the first channel voltage (VCH1) over time. The voltage maximum threshold (VTH_MAX), voltage limit threshold (VTH_LMT), and voltage quasi-normal threshold (VTH_QUA) are plotted on the vertical axis of the graph in FIG. 7b.

[0115] In the example of FIG. 7b, similar to what is described with reference to FIG. 7a, the first switch controller (SC1) can change the first energy storage device (ESC1) to a dangerous state and change the state of the first switch (SW1) to a current limit state when the first channel voltage (VCH1) exceeds the voltage limit threshold (VTH_LMT).

[0116] FIG. 7c illustrates the first channel temperature (TCH1) over time. The maximum temperature threshold (TTH_MAX) and the temperature limit threshold (TTH_LMT) are plotted on the vertical axis of the graph in FIG. 7c.

[0117] In the example of FIG. 7c, similar to what is described with reference to FIG. 7a, the first switch controller (SC1) can change the first energy storage device (ESC1) to a dangerous state and change the state of the first switch (SW1) to a current limit state when the first channel temperature (TCH1) exceeds the temperature limit threshold (TTH_LMT).

[0118] FIGS. 8 to 10 describe the operation of an electronic system (20) to which methods for detecting defects in an energy storage device described with reference to FIGS. 4a to 7c are applied.

[0119] FIG. 8 shows the operation of a switch controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0120] In FIG. 8, the operation of the first switch controller (SC1) is described as an example. The second to fourth switch controllers (SC2 - SC4) can also perform substantially the same operation as the first switch controller (SC1).

[0121] When power is supplied from the main power supply unit (100) to the auxiliary power supply unit (200), in step S802, the first switch controller (SC1) can set the first switch (SW1) to the ON state.

[0122] When the first switch (SW1) is set to the default ON state, the first energy storage device (ESC1) can be charged even during the booting of the electronic system (20). Therefore, stable system shutdown can be guaranteed even if the power supply is suddenly interrupted during the booting of the electronic system (20). The first switch controller (SC1) can repeat the operations of steps S804 to S830 until the power of the electronic system (20) is shut off. That is, the operations of steps S804 to S830 can be performed in real time during the normal operation of the electronic system (20).

[0123] The operation of steps S804 to S830 may include the first switch controller (SC1) exchanging status information of the first switch (SW1) with the management logic (232), determining the state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) based on the first channel current (ICH1), the first channel voltage (VCH1), and the first channel temperature (TCH1), controlling the first switch (SW1) based on the state of the first energy storage device (ESC1), and providing the status information of the first energy storage device (ESC1) to the management logic (232). The operation of steps S804 to S830 is described in detail below.

[0124] In step S804, the first switch controller (SC1) can obtain multiple threshold values ​​of channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature from the management logic (232).

[0125] For example, the first switch controller (SC1) may obtain the plurality of threshold values ​​from the management logic (232) to set the plurality of threshold values. In a first example, the plurality of threshold values ​​may be input to the management logic (232) through a resistor outside the auxiliary power management device (230). When the resistance value of the resistor is changed by the user, the plurality of threshold values ​​may be changed. In a second example, the management logic (232) may obtain the plurality of threshold values ​​from the electronic device (300).

[0126] In step S806, the first switch controller (SC1) can exchange status information of the first switch (SW1) with the management logic (232). By the first switch controller (SC1) providing the status of the first switch (SW1) to the management logic (232) in real time, the management logic (232) can obtain the current status of the first switch (SW1) in real time. Similarly, the management logic (232) can also obtain the current status of the second to fourth switches (SW2 - SW4) in real time from the second to fourth switch controllers (SC2 - SC4).

[0127] When the management logic (232) determines that it is necessary to change the state of the first switch (SW1), it can provide the state information to be changed to the first switch controller (SC1) in real time.

[0128] For example, when booting the electronic system (20), the first switch controller (SC1) can obtain state information of the first switch (SW1) from the management logic (232) at the time when the electronic system (20) was last powered off. The auxiliary power management device (230) may include a non-volatile memory device for storing state information of the switches (SW1 - SW4) at the time of power off. The first switch controller (SC1) can obtain state information of the first switch (SW1) stored in the non-volatile memory device from the management logic (232) and set the state of the first switch (SW1) based on the state information. For example, if a fault state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) is detected before the power of the electronic system (20) is turned off and the first switch (SW1) is changed to an off state, the management logic (232) can store information that the first switch (SW1) is in an off state at the time of power off in the non-volatile memory device.

[0129] Even after the power to the electronic system (20) is turned off, the first energy storage device (ESC1) may remain in a faulty state. When power is supplied to the auxiliary power supply (200) after the power is turned off, the first switch controller (SC1) can obtain information that the first switch (SW1) is in an off state. The first switch controller (SC1) can change the first switch (SW1) to an off state based on the state information without detecting the faulty state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) again. Therefore, after power is supplied to the auxiliary power supply (200), the current flowing to the first energy storage device (ESC1) in a faulty state is quickly cut off, so that other energy storage devices can be charged normally. In step S810, the first switch controller (SC1) can determine the levels of the first channel current (ICH1), the first channel voltage (VCH1), and the first channel temperature (TCH1).

[0130] For example, the first switch controller (SC1) can determine the levels of the first channel current (ICH1), the first channel voltage (VCH1), and the first channel temperature (TCH1) by comparing the first channel current (ICH1), the first channel voltage (VCH1), and the first channel temperature (TCH1) detected in real time with the set plurality of threshold values.

[0131] In step S812, the first switch controller (SC1) can determine the state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) as any one of a normal state, a dangerous state, and a fault state.

[0132] For example, the first switch controller (SC1) can detect the state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) as a runtime short-circuit state or a dangerous state based on the levels of the first channel current (ICH1), the first channel voltage (VCH1), and the first channel temperature (TCH1).

[0133] Additionally, the management logic (232) can detect an initial short-circuit or open-circuit state based on channel current and channel voltage information received in real-time from the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) and provide the detected state information to the first switch controller (SC1). The first switch controller (SC1) can determine the state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) to be a fault state according to the state information received from the management logic (232).

[0134] If the state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) is determined to be a defective state ("Defect") in step S812, the first switch controller (SC1) in step S814 can determine whether the first switch (SW1) is already in a switched-off state.

[0135] If the first switch (SW1) is not in the off state ("NO") in step S814, the first switch controller (SC1) can set the first switch (SW1) to the off state in step S816. Then, the first switch controller (SC1) can provide an interrupt to the management logic (232) in step S818. In response to the interrupt, the management logic (232) can obtain information from the first switch controller (SC1) that the first switch (SW1) is in the off state.

[0136] If the first switch (SW1) is in the off state ("YES" in step S814), the first switch controller (SC1) may provide an interrupt to the management logic (232) in step S818. If the first switch (SW1) is already in the off state and the first energy storage device (ESC1) is determined to be in a faulty state, it may indicate a state in which a large amount of power is leaking through the first switch (SW1) despite the first switch (SW1) being changed to the off state.

[0137] Meanwhile, the management logic (232) can provide an interrupt to the electronic device (300) in response to the interrupt. Also, as described with reference to step S806, the management logic (232) can acquire current state information of the first switch (SW1) in real time. The electronic device (300) can acquire current state information of the first switch (SW1) from the management logic (232) in response to the interrupt and provide a control signal to the management logic (232) based on the acquired state information. The operation between the electronic device (300) and the management logic (232) is described in detail with reference to FIG. 9.

[0138] If the state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) is determined to be a dangerous state ("Warning" in step S814), the first switch controller (SC1) in step S820 can determine whether the first switch (SW1) is already in an off state.

[0139] If the first switch (SW1) is not in the off state ("NO") in step S820, the first switch controller (SC1) can set the first switch (SW1) to a current limit state in step S822. Then, the first switch controller (SC1) can provide an interrupt to the management logic (232) in S818.

[0140] If the first switch (SW1) is in an off state ("YES" in step S820), the first switch controller (SC1) may provide an interrupt to the management logic (232) in step S818. Similar to the case where the first switch (SW1) is already in an off state and the first energy storage device (ESC1) is determined to be in a fault state, the management logic (232) may receive information from the first switch controller (SC1) that power is leaking through the first switch (SW1) in response to the interrupt.

[0141] If the state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) is determined to be normal ("Normal" in step S812), the first switch controller (SC1) in step S824 can determine whether the first switch (SW1) is already in an off state.

[0142] If the first switch (SW1) is not in the off state ("NO") in step S824, the first switch controller (SC1) may set the first switch (SW1) to the on state in step S820. For example, if the first switch (SW1) was in the on state, the on state may be maintained, and if the first switch (SW1) was in the current limit state, the first switch (SW1) may be changed to the on state. Also, referring to step S828, the first switch controller (SC1) may not provide an interrupt to the management logic (232) when the first energy storage device (ESC1) is in a normal state.

[0143] When the first switch (SW1) is in the off state ("YES") in step S824, it may indicate a case where power leaking through the first energy storage device (ESC1) is normally controlled after a fault occurs in the first energy storage device (ESC1) and the first switch (SW1) is changed to the off state. Accordingly, the first switch controller (SC1) may not provide an interrupt to the management logic (232) in step S828.

[0144] In step S830, the first switch controller (SC1) can determine whether to turn off the power of the electronic system (20).

[0145] If the power shutdown of the electronic system (20) is not detected (in step S830, "NO"), the first switch controller (SC1) may repeat the operations of steps S804 through S830.

[0146] When the power cutoff of the electronic system (20) is detected (in step S830, "YES"), the first switch controller (SC1) can terminate the operation of steps S804 through S830.

[0147] FIG. 9 shows the operation of the management logic (232) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0148] When power is supplied from the main power supply unit (100) to the auxiliary power supply unit (200), in step S902, the management logic (232) can load multiple threshold values ​​of channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature from a resistor or electronic device (300) outside the auxiliary power management unit (230). Additionally, the management logic (232) can load status information of switches (SW1 - SW4) from a non-volatile memory device included in the auxiliary power management unit (230). The non-volatile memory device is described in detail in step S806.

[0149] After providing state information of multiple threshold values ​​and switches (SW1 - SW4) to switch controllers (SC1 - SC4), the management logic (232) may repeat the operations of steps S904 to S926 until the power of the electronic system (20) is turned off. That is, the operations of steps S904 to S926 may be performed in real time during the normal operation of the electronic system (20). The operations of steps S904 to S926 may include the operation of the management logic (232) and the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) exchanging state information of the switches (SW1 - SW4), the operation of the management logic (232) detecting a fault in the energy storage devices (ESC1 - ESC4), the operation of transmitting fault information to the electronic device (300) in response to an interrupt from the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4), and the operation of providing fault information modified by the control of the electronic device (300) to the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4). The operations of steps S904 through S926 are described in detail below.

[0150] In step S904, the management logic (232) can provide the loaded multiple threshold values ​​to the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4).

[0151] In step S906, the management logic (232) can exchange status information between the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) and the switches (SW1 - SW4). The operation of step S906 was described in step S806 with the example of the management logic (232) exchanging status information between the first switch controller (SC1) and the first switch (SW1).

[0152] In step S908, the management logic (232) can obtain channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature level information for each of the channels (CH1 - CH4) from the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4).

[0153] In step S910, the management logic (232) can detect an initial short-circuit state and an open-circuit state among the fault states of the energy storage devices (ESC1 - ESC4) based on the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature level information of the acquired channels (CH1 - CH4).

[0154] If a fault state of the energy storage device is detected ("YES" in step S910), the management logic (232) may provide fault state information of the energy storage device to a switch controller associated with the energy storage device in step S912 and perform step S914. Meanwhile, the switch controller may control a switch corresponding to the energy storage device based on the fault state information.

[0155] If no fault condition of the energy storage device is detected (in step S910, "NO"), the management logic (232) can perform step S914.

[0156] In step S914, the management logic (232) can determine whether an interrupt is provided from the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4).

[0157] If an interrupt is provided from the switch controller ("YES" in step S914), the management logic (232) in step S916 may assert an interrupt signal to the electronic device (300) to indicate that the energy storage device is in a faulty or dangerous state, and perform step S920.

[0158] If no interrupt is provided from the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) ("NO") in step S914, the energy storage devices (ESC1 - ESC4) may all be in a normal state. Accordingly, in step S918, the management logic (232) can de-assert the interrupt signal and perform step S920.

[0159] In step S920, the management logic (232) can optionally provide current status information of the switches (SW1 - SW4) to the electronic device (300).

[0160] For example, the electronic device (300) may request current status information of a switch associated with an energy device that is in a faulty or dangerous state in response to the interrupt of step S916. The management logic (232) may provide the current status information of the switch in response to the request of the electronic device (300).

[0161] On the other hand, if the management logic (232) disables the interrupt indication as described in step S918, it may not provide current state information of the switches (SW1 - SW4) to the electronic device (300). Unless an interrupt is indicated from the management logic (232), the electronic device (300) may not monitor the current state information of the switches (SW1 - SW4). Thus, the overhead of the electronic device (300) may be reduced.

[0162] In step S922, the management logic (232) can selectively obtain status information of the switches (SW1 - SW4) from the electronic device (300).

[0163] Specifically, if the electronic device (300) determines that it is necessary to change the state of the switch, it can provide information on the state to be changed of the switch to the management logic (232).

[0164] For example, if the electronic device (300) detects that a dangerous state of an energy storage device persists, it may provide the state information to be changed to the management logic (232) to change the switch corresponding to the energy storage device to an off state.

[0165] Meanwhile, the electronic device (300) may determine that there is a risk of not receiving sufficient power supply from the auxiliary power supply (200) in the event of a sudden shutdown of the electronic system (20) if a dangerous state or fault state of the energy storage device is detected even though the switch corresponding to the energy storage device is in an off state. Accordingly, the electronic device (300) may provide a warning signal to the user so that the user can terminate the task being performed or back up data regarding the task being performed to another electronic device.

[0166] In step S924, the management logic (232) can determine whether to power off the electronic system (20).

[0167] If the power shutdown of the electronic system (20) is not detected (in step S924, "NO"), the management logic (232) may repeat the operations of steps S904 through S924.

[0168] Meanwhile, when the management logic (232) performs step S912, step S916, or step S922, the state of any one of the switches (SW1 - SW4) may be changed. Accordingly, when a power shutdown of the electronic system (20) is detected (in step S924, "YES"), the management logic (232) may save the current state of the switches (SW1 - SW4) to the non-volatile memory device in step S926 and terminate the operation.

[0169] FIG. 10 shows the operation of an electronic system (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0170] Specifically, FIG. 10 illustrates the transaction of the first switch controller (SC1), management logic (232), and electronic device (300), with the example of the case where the first energy storage device (ESC1) changes from a normal state through a dangerous state to a fault state.

[0171] When power is supplied from the main power supply unit (100) to the auxiliary power supply unit (200), in step S1002, the first switch controller (SC1) can set the first switch (SW1) to the ON state. Although omitted in FIG. 10, the second to fourth switch controllers (SC2 - SC4) can likewise set the second to fourth switches (SW2 - SW4) to the ON state. Step S1002 may correspond to step S802 described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0172] The management logic (232) can load status information of multiple threshold values ​​and switches (SW1 - SW4) associated with channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature from a non-volatile memory device included in the auxiliary power management device (230) in step S1004. Step S1004 may correspond to step S902 described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0173] In step S1006, the management logic (232) may provide the plurality of threshold values ​​to the first switch controller (SC1). Although omitted in FIG. 10, the management logic (232) may also provide the plurality of threshold values ​​to the second to fourth switch controllers (SC2 - SC4). Step S1006 may be performed at booting of the electronic system (20), and may also be performed during operation of the electronic system (20) when the plurality of threshold values ​​are updated.

[0174] In step S1008, the management logic (232) may provide status information of the first switch (SW1) to the first switch controller (SC1). Likewise, the management logic (232) may also provide status information of the second to fourth switches (SW2 - SW4) to the second to fourth switch controllers (SC2 - SC4). The operation of step S1008 may be performed in real time during normal operation of the electronic system (20) and may correspond to step S806 described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0175] In step S1010, the first switch controller (SC1) can set a plurality of threshold values ​​obtained from the management logic (232) as threshold values ​​for the first channel current (ICH1), the first channel voltage (VCH1), and the first channel temperature (TCH1). Additionally, the first switch controller (SC1) can control the first switch (SW1) based on the status information of the first switch (SW1) obtained from the management logic (232). Step S1010 may correspond to step S808. FIG. 10 illustrates a case where the state of the first switch (SW1) is set to the ON state.

[0176] In step S1012, the first switch controller (SC1) can detect the state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) based on the first channel current (ICH1), the first channel voltage (VCH1), and the first channel temperature (TCH1) detected in real time, and the plurality of threshold values. The operation of the first switch controller (SC1) detecting the state of the first energy storage device (ESC1) has been described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3a through 7c. FIG. 10 illustrates the case where the first switch controller (SC1) detects a dangerous state of the first energy storage device (ESC1).

[0177] In step S1014, the first switch controller (SC1) can change the first switch (SW1), which is in the ON state, to a current limiting state.

[0178] In step S1016, the first switch controller (SC1) can provide an interrupt to the management logic (232). Step S1016 can correspond to step S818.

[0179] In step S1018, the first switch controller (SC1) can provide status information of the first switch (SW1) to the management logic (232). Although FIG. 10 illustrates that the first switch controller (SC1) provides status information of the first switch (SW1) after providing an interrupt to the management logic (232), the operation of the management logic (232) exchanging status information with the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) can be performed in real time. The operation of step S1018 can correspond to steps S806 and S906.

[0180] In step S1020, the management logic (232) may respond to the interrupt and issue an interrupt to the electronic device (300). Step S1020 may correspond to step S916.

[0181] In step S1022, the management logic (232) can provide information to the electronic device (300) that the status information of the first switch (SW1) is in a current limiting state. Step S1022 can correspond to step S920.

[0182] In step S1024, the electronic device (300) may determine whether to change the state of the first switch (SW1), which has been changed to a current limiting state, to an off state. For example, if the electronic device (300) detects that the first energy storage device (ESC1) is not detected to be in a fault state by the first switch controller (SC1) but that a dangerous state persists, the electronic device (300) may determine that there is an undetected fault in the first energy storage device (ESC1) and decide to change the first switch (SW1) to an off state.

[0183] In step S1026, the electronic device (300) may provide information to the management logic (232) that the state to be changed of the first switch (SW1) is off. Step S1026 may correspond to step S924.

[0184] In step S1028, the management logic (232) can control the first switch controller (SC1) to change the first switch (SW1) to an off state by providing status information from the electronic device (300) to the first switch controller (SC1). Although FIG. 10 illustrates that the management logic (232) provides the status information to the first switch controller (SC1) after the electronic device (300) provides the status information to be changed to the management logic (232), the operation of the management logic (232) exchanging status information with the switch controllers (SC1 - SC4) can be performed in real time. Step S1028 may correspond to steps S806 and S906.

[0185] In step S1030, the first energy storage device (ESC1) can change the state of the first switch (SW1) to the off state based on state information from the management logic (232).

[0186] The management logic (232) can detect the power termination of the electronic system (20). FIG. 10 illustrates that in step S1032, the management logic (232) detects the power termination by receiving a power termination signal from the electronic device (300).

[0187] When the power to the electronic system (20) is turned off, the management logic (232) can store the current state information of the switches (SW1 - SW4) in step S1034 in the non-volatile memory device described in step S806. For example, the management logic (232) can store information that the first switch (SW1) is in an off state in the non-volatile memory device. Step S1034 may correspond to step S926.

[0188] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an auxiliary power management device (230) can control switches (SW1 - SW4) based on the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature of each of the plurality of channels (CH1 - CH4) to which energy storage devices (ESC1 - ESC4) and switches (SW1 - SW4) are connected.

[0189] The auxiliary power management device (230) can detect the initial short-circuit and open-circuit states of the energy storage device by detecting whether the imbalance of the channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4) or the imbalance of the channel voltages (VCH1 - VCH4) persists. Therefore, it is prevented from incorrectly determining the state of the energy storage device as an initial short-circuit or open-circuit state when the imbalance of the channel currents (ICH1 - ICH4) or the channel voltages (VCH1 - VCH4) temporarily rises due to external factors.

[0190] The auxiliary power management device (230) can effectively control the current flowing to the energy storage device in a dangerous state by determining the switch linked to the energy storage device in a current limiting state when the energy storage device is in a dangerous state.

[0191] The auxiliary power management device (230) may use multiple threshold values ​​for channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature to control the state of the switches (SW1 - SW4). The user may easily change the multiple threshold values ​​by changing a resistance value outside the auxiliary power management device (230) or by changing a threshold value stored in the electronic device (300).

[0192] The auxiliary power management device (230) stores state information of switches (SW1 - SW4) in a non-volatile memory device when the power of the electronic system (20) is shut off, and can control the switches (SW1 - SW4) based on the state information of the switches (SW1 - SW4) stored in the non-volatile memory device when the power of the electronic system (20) is supplied again. Accordingly, the current flowing to the defective energy storage device can be effectively controlled.

[0193] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an auxiliary power management device (230) can detect a defective energy storage device in real time and secure a sufficient amount of charge by controlling the current flowing to the energy storage device. In the event of a sudden interruption of external power supply, the auxiliary power management device (230) can ensure the integrity of the electronic device (300) by providing an auxiliary power (AUX_PWR) to the electronic device (300) based on the secured amount of charge.

[0194] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an electronic system (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the example that the electronic device (300) is a storage device.

[0195] FIG. 11 shows a data processing system (10) including an electronic system (20).

[0196] The host (30) may include electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices like mobile phones, MP3 players, laptop computers, etc., or electronic devices such as desktop computers, game consoles, TVs, projectors, etc.

[0197] The host (30) may include at least one operating system (OS). The operating system generally manages and controls the functions and operations of the host (30) and provides interaction between the host (30) and a user using the data processing system (10) or electronic system (20). The operating system supports functions and operations corresponding to the user's purpose and use, and can be classified into a general operating system and a mobile operating system depending on the host's mobility. The general operating system within the operating system can be classified into a personal operating system and an enterprise operating system depending on the user's usage environment.

[0198] The electronic system (20) can operate to store data of the host (30) in response to a request from the host (30). For example, the electronic system (20) can be implemented as any one of various types of storage devices such as a Solid State Drive (SSD), MMC, eMMC (embedded MMC), RS-MMC (Reduced Size MMC), a Multi Media Card (MMC) in the form of micro-MMC, a Secure Digital (SD) card in the form of SD, mini-SD, or micro-SD, a Universal Storage Bus (USB) storage device, a Universal Flash Storage (UFS) device, a Compact Flash (CF) card, a Smart Media card, a Memory Stick, etc.

[0199] The electronic system (20) can be implemented by various types of storage devices. For example, the storage device may include volatile memory devices such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and SRAM (Static RAM), and non-volatile memory devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory), MROM (Mask ROM), PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable ROM), FRAM (Ferromagnetic ROM), PRAM (Phase change RAM), MRAM (Magnetic RAM), RRAM (Resistive RAM), and flash memory. The flash memory may have a three-dimensional stack structure.

[0200] The host (30) may include electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices like mobile phones, MP3 players, laptop computers, etc., or electronic devices such as desktop computers, game consoles, TVs, projectors, etc.

[0201] FIG. 12 shows an electronic system (20) in which the electronic device (300) is a storage device.

[0202] The electronic system (20) may include a main power supply unit (100), an auxiliary power supply unit (200), and an electronic device (300).

[0203] The main power supply unit (100) and the auxiliary power supply unit (200) may correspond to the main power supply unit (100) and the auxiliary power supply unit (200) described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0204] The electronic device (300) may include a memory device (150) and a memory controller (130).

[0205] The memory device (150) may be a non-volatile memory device and may retain stored data even when power is not supplied. The memory device (150) may store data provided from the host (30) through a program operation and may provide data stored in the memory device (150) to the host (30) through a read operation. The memory device (150) may include a plurality of memory blocks, each of which may include a plurality of pages, and each of which may include a plurality of memory cells connected to a word line. In one embodiment, the memory device (150) may be a flash memory. The flash memory may have a three-dimensional stack structure.

[0206] The memory controller (130) can control the memory device (150) in response to a request from the host (30). For example, the memory controller (130) can provide data read from the memory device (150) to the host (30) and store the data provided from the host (30) in the memory device (150). To perform these operations, the memory controller (130) can control operations such as reading, programming, and erasing of the memory device (150).

[0207] The memory controller (130) and the memory device (150) can be integrated into a single semiconductor device. For example, the memory controller (130) and the memory device (150) can be integrated into a single semiconductor device to form an SSD. When the electronic system (20) is used as an SSD, the operating speed of the host (30) connected to the electronic system (20) can be improved. Furthermore, the memory controller (130) and the memory device (150) can be integrated into a single semiconductor device to form a memory card. For example, the memory controller (130) and the memory device (150) can form a memory card such as a PC card (PCMCIA: Personal Computer Memory Card International Association), Compact Flash card (CF), Smart Media card (SM, SMC), Memory Stick, Multimedia card (MMC, RS-MMC, MMCmicro), SD card (SD, miniSD, microSD, SDHC), Universal Flash Storage (UFS), etc.

[0208] As another example, the electronic system (20) is a computer, UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC), workstation, netbook, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), portable computer, web tablet, tablet computer, wireless phone, mobile phone, smartphone, e-book, PMP (portable multimedia player), portable game console, navigation device, black box, digital camera, DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) player, 3-dimensional television, smart television, digital audio recorder, digital audio player, digital picture recorder, digital picture player, digital video recorder, digital video player, storage constituting a data center, capable of transmitting and receiving information in a wireless environment It can be configured as a device, one of various electronic devices constituting a home network, one of various electronic devices constituting a computer network, one of various electronic devices constituting a telematics network, an RFID (radio frequency identification) device, or one of various components constituting a computing system.

[0209] The main power supply unit (100) can receive external power (EXT_PWR) supplied from the host (30) to provide power for driving the memory controller (130) and program voltage, read voltage, and erase voltage of the memory device (150). Additionally, the main power supply unit (100) can receive external power (EXT_PWR) to charge the auxiliary power supply unit (200).

[0210] The external power supply (EXT_PWR) from the host (30) may be suddenly interrupted. For example, the memory controller (130) may face the interruption of the external power supply (EXT_PWR) while buffering the write data in internal memory that has been received with a write request from the host (30) but has not yet been programmed into the memory device (150).

[0211] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary power supply (200) can detect a defective energy storage device in real time during normal operation of the electronic system (20) and control the current flowing to the energy storage device so that the set of energy storage devices (210) can be charged normally. The memory controller (130) may not control the current flowing to the energy storage device in real time, but may control the current flowing to the energy storage device when an interrupt is indicated from the auxiliary power supply (200). Since the resource consumption for the memory controller (130) to control the current flowing to the energy storage device is reduced, the data input / output performance of the electronic system (20) can be improved.

[0212] The main power supply unit (100) can supply the auxiliary power (AUX_PWR) of the auxiliary power supply unit (200) as the system power (SYS_PWR) of the electronic device (300) in the event of a sudden interruption of external power supply. When the energy storage device set (210) is charged normally, the memory controller (130) can use the system power (SYS_PWR) to program the light data into the memory device (150) before the power of the electronic system (20) is turned off. Thus, the integrity of the electronic system (20) in response to the request of the host (30) can be guaranteed.

[0213] Although an auxiliary power supply device and an electronic system including the same according to the embodiments of the present invention have been described above as specific embodiments, this is merely illustrative and the present invention is not limited thereto, and should be interpreted as having the broadest scope in accordance with the basic concept disclosed in this specification. Those skilled in the art may implement unspecified embodiments by combining or substituting the disclosed embodiments, and this also does not deviate from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art may easily change or modify the embodiments disclosed based on this specification, and it is evident that such changes or modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0215] 10: Data Processing System 100 : Main power supply 130: Memory controller 150 : Memory device 20: Electronic Systems 200 : Auxiliary power supply 210: Energy storage device set 230: Auxiliary Power Management Unit 232 : Management Logic 30 : Host 300: Electronic device

Claims

Claim 1 An auxiliary power management device connected to an auxiliary power source, comprising: a plurality of switches for controlling the current of a plurality of energy storage devices used as backup power sources to supply power to the electronic device when the main power of the electronic device is interrupted; a plurality of channels to which each switch is connected; a plurality of switch controllers for controlling the plurality of switches connected to the plurality of channels and monitoring the current and voltage of the corresponding plurality of channels, respectively; and a management logic for controlling the plurality of switches connected to the plurality of channels according to the detection of a first current or voltage imbalance exceeding a preset threshold in the plurality of channels by the plurality of switch controllers, wherein the detection of the first current or voltage imbalance includes determining whether a state in which the number of channels among the plurality of channels in which the current or voltage exceeds a preset threshold is less than or equal to a preset number persists for a preset time or longer. Claim 2 An auxiliary power management device according to claim 1, wherein the detection of the first current or voltage imbalance includes determining whether the state in which the number of channels through which a current greater than a first threshold or less than a quasi-normal threshold flows among the plurality of channels is less than or equal to a predetermined number persists for a predetermined time or longer, and the management logic controls at least one switch controller corresponding to the at least one switch connected to the at least one channel through which the current greater than the first threshold and less than the quasi-normal threshold flows in order to change at least one switch among the plurality of switches to an off state. Claim 3 In claim 2, the detection of the first current or voltage imbalance includes determining whether a state in which the number of channels having a channel voltage smaller than a second threshold value indicating a normal voltage level is less than or equal to a predetermined number persists for a predetermined time or longer, and the management logic controls at least one switch controller to change a switch connected to at least one channel having a channel voltage lower than the second threshold value to an off state, an auxiliary power management device. Claim 4 An auxiliary power management device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of switch controllers monitor the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature of a corresponding channel, and control the switch connected to the channel to have one of an ON state, a current limiting state, and an OFF state based on at least one of the channel current, the channel voltage, and the channel temperature, wherein the current limiting state is a state in which the resistance value of the switch is greater than the ON state. Claim 5 In claim 4, the management logic is an auxiliary power management device that acquires status information of the plurality of energy storage devices corresponding to each of the plurality of channels from the plurality of switch controllers in response to an interrupt signal from the plurality of switch controllers. Claim 6 In claim 5, the plurality of switch controllers continuously monitor the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature of a corresponding channel even when the corresponding switch is in an off state, determine the corresponding energy storage device to one of a normal state, a dangerous state, and a fault state based on the monitoring result, and provide the state information of the energy storage device to the management logic, an auxiliary power management device. Claim 7 In claim 4, the auxiliary power management device further includes a non-volatile memory device that stores state information of the plurality of switches connected to each of the plurality of channels when the supply of the main power is terminated, and the management logic acquires state information of the plurality of switches from the non-volatile memory device and provides it to the corresponding plurality of switch controllers when the main power is supplied again, and each of the plurality of switch controllers sets the switch connected to the corresponding channel to the ON state when the main power is supplied, and sets the state of the corresponding switch based on the state information received from the management logic. Claim 8 In claim 4, the plurality of switch controllers control the state of the corresponding switch based on a plurality of threshold values ​​for the channel current, the channel voltage, and the channel temperature of the corresponding channel, and the management logic obtains the plurality of threshold values ​​from an external device or an external resistance value and provides the plurality of threshold values ​​to the plurality of switch controllers, an auxiliary power management device. Claim 9 In claim 1, the plurality of switches are low-side switches, forming an auxiliary power management device. Claim 10 An electronic system comprising: an electronic device; an auxiliary power supply comprising a plurality of channels connected to a plurality of energy storage devices and a plurality of switches, and controlling the plurality of switches connected to the plurality of channels according to the detection of a first current or voltage imbalance based on the number of channels among the plurality of channels that deviate from a preset threshold; and a main power supply comprising a main power supply that charges the auxiliary power supply using the main power supply during normal operation and provides the auxiliary power of the auxiliary power supply to the electronic device in the event of a sudden interruption of the supply of the main power supply. Claim 11 An electronic system comprising: a plurality of switch controllers that control the plurality of switches connected to the plurality of channels and monitor channel current and channel voltage, and a management logic that detects the first current or voltage imbalance of the plurality of channels by determining that the number of channels through which a current greater than a first threshold or less than a quasi-normal threshold flows is less than a predetermined number for a predetermined time or longer, and controls at least one switch controller corresponding to the at least one switch connected to the at least one channel through which the current greater than the first threshold and less than the quasi-normal threshold flows in order to change at least one switch among the plurality of switches to an off state. Claim 12 In claim 11, the detection of the first current or voltage imbalance includes determining whether the state in which a normal level voltage smaller than a second threshold value indicating a range of normal voltage levels is applied to a number of switches less than a predetermined number persists for a predetermined time or longer, and the management logic controls at least one switch controller to change at least one switch to an off state to which a voltage lower than the second threshold value is applied. Claim 13 In claim 10, the auxiliary power supply unit includes a plurality of switch controllers that monitor the channel current, channel voltage, and channel temperature of a corresponding channel and control a switch connected to the channel to have one of an ON state, a current limiting state, and an OFF state based on at least one of the channel current, the channel voltage, and the channel temperature, wherein the current limiting state is a state in which the resistance value of the switch is greater than the ON state. Claim 14 An electronic system according to claim 13, wherein the auxiliary power supply further comprises management logic for acquiring status information of the plurality of energy storage devices corresponding to each of the plurality of channels from the plurality of switch controllers in response to an interrupt signal from the plurality of switch controllers. Claim 15 An electronic system according to claim 14, wherein the management logic notifies an electronic device of an interrupt regarding an energy storage device in a dangerous state among the plurality of energy storage devices of the plurality of channels, and the electronic device provides a control signal to the management logic to change a switch corresponding to the energy storage device to an off state if it detects that the dangerous state of the energy storage device persists based on the interrupt. Claim 16 An electronic system according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of switch controllers continuously monitor the channel current, the channel voltage, and the channel temperature of the corresponding channel even when the corresponding switch is in an off state, determine the corresponding energy storage device to one of a normal state, a dangerous state, and a fault state based on the monitoring result, and provide the state information of the energy storage device to the management logic. Claim 17 An electronic system, wherein, in paragraph 16, the management logic notifies the electronic device of an interrupt for the energy storage device corresponding to the off-state switch when the energy storage device is in a faulty state, and the electronic device provides a warning signal to the user based on the interrupt. Claim 18 In claim 13, the auxiliary power supply unit further comprises: a non-volatile memory device that stores state information of a switch connected to each of a plurality of channels when the supply of the main power is terminated; and management logic that acquires state information of the switch from the non-volatile memory device and provides it to a corresponding switch controller when the main power is supplied again, wherein each of the plurality of switch controllers sets the switch connected to the corresponding channel to the ON state when the main power is supplied, and sets the state of the corresponding switch based on the state information received from the management logic. Claim 19 An electronic system according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of switch controllers control the state of the corresponding switch based on a plurality of threshold values ​​for the corresponding channel current, the channel voltage, and the channel temperature, and the auxiliary power supply further comprises management logic that obtains the plurality of threshold values ​​from an external device or an external resistance value and provides the plurality of threshold values ​​to the plurality of switch controllers. Claim 20 In paragraph 10, the above plurality of switches is an electronic system that is a low-side switch.

Images