Method and circuit for providing auxiliary power and storage device including the circuit

Abstract

A method and circuit for providing auxiliary power and a storage device including the circuit are provided. The method may include: converting external power into a plurality of charging voltages; charging a charging circuit with a first charging voltage among the plurality of charging voltages; monitoring the voltage of the charging circuit; when the capacitance of the charging circuit is less than a first reference capacitance, charging the charging circuit with a second charging voltage among the plurality of charging voltages, the second charging voltage being higher than the first charging voltage by a first voltage amount; and providing auxiliary power to the auxiliary power source. The auxiliary power is generated based on the voltage of the charging circuit.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0083951 filed on Jul. 11, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The inventive concept relates to an auxiliary power source, and more particularly, to a method of providing auxiliary power by a secondary-powered auxiliary power source, an auxiliary power source circuit, and a storage device including the auxiliary power source circuit. Background Art

[0004] When operating a storage system including a storage device and a storage controller, external power is generally supplied to the storage system. A sudden power outage (SPO) may occur, whereby power is suddenly interrupted during operation of the storage system. At this time, since the storage controller uses a volatile memory to store data, the data stored in the memory may be lost, or an operation (e.g., an erase operation or a write operation) performed by the storage device may not be completed. Therefore, the storage system completes the operation using an auxiliary power supply and then backs up the data. Summary of the invention

[0005] The inventive concept provides a method of providing auxiliary power through an auxiliary power source, an auxiliary power monitoring circuit, and a storage device including the auxiliary power monitoring circuit.

[0006] According to one aspect of the inventive concept, a method for an auxiliary power supply to provide auxiliary power is provided. The method includes: converting external power into a plurality of charging voltages; charging a charging circuit with a first charging voltage among the plurality of charging voltages; monitoring the voltage of the charging circuit; when the capacitance of the charging circuit is less than a first reference capacitance, charging the charging circuit with a second charging voltage among the plurality of charging voltages, the second charging voltage being higher than the first charging voltage by a first voltage amount; and providing auxiliary power to the outside of the auxiliary power supply. The auxiliary power is generated based on the voltage of the charging circuit.

[0007] According to another aspect of the inventive concept, an auxiliary power supply circuit is provided. The auxiliary power supply circuit includes: an auxiliary power monitoring circuit configured to provide auxiliary power to the outside of the auxiliary power monitoring circuit; and a charging circuit connected to the auxiliary power monitoring circuit. The auxiliary power monitoring circuit includes: a converter configured to convert external power into a charging voltage and provide the charging voltage to the charging circuit; and a voltage monitoring circuit configured to control the converter based on the capacitance of the charging circuit. The voltage monitoring circuit controls the converter to: provide a first charging voltage to the charging circuit when the capacitance of the charging circuit is equal to or greater than a first reference capacitance, and control the converter to provide a second charging voltage higher than the first charging voltage to the charging circuit when the capacitance of the charging circuit is less than the first reference capacitance.

[0008] According to another aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a storage device, comprising: an auxiliary power supply, the auxiliary power supply including a charging circuit, and the auxiliary power supply is configured to receive external power and generate main power and auxiliary power based on the external power; and a main system, the main system is configured to control the operation of the auxiliary power supply. The auxiliary power supply can charge the charging circuit with a first charging voltage, and when the capacitance of the charging circuit is less than a first reference capacitance, the auxiliary power supply charges the charging circuit with a second charging voltage higher than the first charging voltage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be more clearly understood through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an example embodiment;

[0011] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a monitoring operation of an auxiliary power supply of an electronic device according to an example embodiment;

[0012] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an auxiliary power supply for an electronic device according to an example embodiment;

[0013] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a main system of an electronic device according to an example embodiment;

[0014] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a monitoring operation of an auxiliary power supply of an electronic device according to an example embodiment;

[0015] Figure 6 is a graph showing the voltage of the charging circuit changing with time;

[0016] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining charging voltage information stored in an auxiliary power source according to an example embodiment;

[0017] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a monitoring operation of an auxiliary power supply of an electronic device according to an example embodiment;

[0018] Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining charging voltage information stored in an auxiliary power source according to an example embodiment;

[0019] Fig.10 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an example embodiment;

[0020] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B is a block diagram of an auxiliary power supply for an electronic device according to an example embodiment;

[0021] Fig.12 is a block diagram of an example of applying an electronic device to a solid state drive (SSD) according to example embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0023] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device 10 according to an example embodiment.

[0024] Reference Figure 1 , the electronic device 10 may include an auxiliary power supply (or auxiliary power supply circuit) 100 and a main system 200. The auxiliary power supply 100 may supply auxiliary power to the main system 200, and the main system 200 may perform operations using the auxiliary power.

[0025] In an example embodiment, the electronic device 10 may include a storage device. For example, the electronic device 10 may include a solid state drive (SSD). When the electronic device 10 includes an SSD, the electronic device 10 may include a plurality of flash memory chips (eg, NAND memory chips) that store data.

[0026] The electronic device 10 may include a flash memory device having at least one flash memory chip. In an example embodiment, the electronic device 10 may include an embedded multimedia card (eMMC) or an embedded universal flash memory (UFS) storage device. In an example embodiment, the electronic device 10 may include a UFS memory card, a compact flash (CF) card, a secure digital (SD) card, a micro SD card, an ultra micro SD card, an extreme digital (xD) card, or a memory stick. However, the electronic device 10 is not limited to a storage system.

[0027] The auxiliary power supply 100 can perform the following operations: repeatedly charging electric energy using external power (or external voltage) supplied through the first power line PL1, and supplying auxiliary power to the second power line PL2 based on the charged electric energy. The system including the main system 200 can operate using the power supplied through the second power line PL2.

[0028] The auxiliary power supply 100 may include an auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 and a charging circuit 120. The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may store power in the charging circuit 120 using external power and monitor the charging circuit 120. In an example embodiment, the charging circuit 120 may include at least one capacitor.

[0029] The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 can charge the electric energy into the charging circuit 120 using the external power (for example, can make the charging circuit 120 store electric energy) while the external power is normally supplied to the auxiliary power supply 100. The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 can make the external power output to the second power line PL2 as the main power (or the main voltage), and prevent the auxiliary power (or the auxiliary voltage) charged in the charging circuit 120 from being output to the second power line PL2.

[0030] When the external power is not normally supplied to the auxiliary power supply 100, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may prevent the main power from being output to the second power line PL2 and enable the auxiliary power in the charging circuit 120 to be output to the second power line PL2. For example, when a sudden power outage (SPO) occurs during the operation of the electronic device 10 and the power is suddenly cut off, the external power cannot be normally supplied to the auxiliary power supply 100 through the first power line PL1. For example, when the voltage level of the main power supply is lower than the minimum operation enabling voltage level initially set, SPO may occur.

[0031] The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may monitor the charging circuit 120. For example, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may monitor the voltage of the charging circuit 120. In an example embodiment, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may measure the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120 and use the measured voltage to monitor the change in capacitance.

[0032] The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may control the charging voltage V_C of the charging circuit 120 according to the change of the capacitance of the charging circuit 120. The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may control the level of the charging voltage V_C to increase when the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 decreases. For example, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may first charge the charging circuit 120 with the first charging voltage V_C1, and when the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 decreases, the charging circuit 120 may be charged with the second charging voltage V_C2. At this time, the level of the second charging voltage V_C2 may be higher than the level of the first charging voltage V_C1. The levels of the first charging voltage V_C1 and the second charging voltage V_C2 may be predetermined.

[0033] In an example embodiment, the charging voltage information IVC (i.e., information about the charging voltage V_C relative to the capacitance change of the charging circuit 120) may be stored in the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110. The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may control the charging voltage V_C provided to the charging circuit 120 based on the charging voltage information IVC. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The charging voltage information IVC may be stored in a controller included in the main system 200, and the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may control the charging voltage V_C provided to the charging circuit 120 in response to a control signal (e.g., a charging voltage change command) from the controller of the main system 200.

[0034] The main system 200 may operate using power supplied through the second power line PL2. For example, when external power is normally supplied to the first power line PL1, external power may be supplied to the main system 200 as main power through the second power line PL2. Conversely, when external power is not normally supplied to the first power line PL1, auxiliary power may be supplied to the main system 200 through the second power line PL2.

[0035] The main system 200 may include hardware or software for controlling the auxiliary power supply 100. Figure 4 A configuration example of the main system 200 is described.

[0036] As the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 decreases, the electrical energy stored in the charging circuit 120 may also decrease according to Equation 1:

[0037]

[0038] Wherein, E is the electric energy stored in the charging circuit 120, C is the equivalent capacitance of the charging circuit 120, and V is the charging voltage V_C of the charging circuit 120. Hereinafter, the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 may refer to the equivalent capacitance of the charging circuit 120. Therefore, when the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 decreases, the auxiliary power supply 100 may prevent the electric energy stored in the charging circuit 120 from decreasing by increasing the charging voltage V_C of the charging circuit 120.

[0039] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a monitoring operation of the auxiliary power supply 100 of the electronic device 10 according to an example embodiment.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, when external power is normally supplied to the electronic device 10 through the first power line PL1, the charging circuit 120 may be operated by the auxiliary power supply 100. Figure 2 monitoring operation.

[0041] Reference Figure 2 In operation S10, the auxiliary power supply 100 may charge the charging circuit 120 with the first charging voltage V_C1. The voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120 may gradually increase and reach the first charging voltage V_C1.

[0042] In operation S20, the auxiliary power supply 100 may determine whether the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 is less than the first reference capacitance. In an example embodiment, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may measure the discharge time for the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120 to decrease when the charging circuit 120 is discharged, and compare the discharge time with the first reference time, thereby determining whether the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 is less than the first reference capacitance. In an example embodiment, when the auxiliary power supply 100 receives a control signal (e.g., Fig.10 When a charging voltage change command CMD_VC is issued, the auxiliary power supply 100 may determine that the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 is less than the first reference capacitance.

[0043] When it is determined that the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 is equal to or greater than the first reference capacitance, the auxiliary power supply 100 may re-perform operation S10. The auxiliary power supply 100 may re-charge the charging circuit 120 using the first charging voltage V_C1.

[0044] Otherwise, when it is determined that the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 is less than the first reference capacitance, in operation S30, the auxiliary power supply 100 may charge the charging circuit 120 with the second charging voltage V_C2. The voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120 may gradually increase and reach the second charging voltage V_C2. At this time, the level of the second charging voltage V_C2 may be higher than the level of the first charging voltage V_C1.

[0045] Although the auxiliary power supply 100 has been described as charging the charging circuit 120 with the first charging voltage V_C1 or the second charging voltage V_C2, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The charging circuit 120 may be charged with a third charging voltage having a level higher than that of the second charging voltage V_C2.

[0046] In an example embodiment, after operation S30, the auxiliary power supply 100 may determine whether the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 is less than the second reference capacitance. In an example embodiment, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may measure the discharge time during which the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120 decreases when the charging circuit 120 is discharged, and compare the discharge time with the second reference time, thereby determining whether the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 is less than the second reference capacitance. In an example embodiment, when the auxiliary power supply 100 receives a control signal from the controller of the main system 200, the auxiliary power supply 100 may determine that the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 is less than the second reference capacitance. At this time, the second reference capacitance may be less than the first reference capacitance.

[0047] When it is determined that the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 is less than the second reference capacitance, the auxiliary power supply 100 may use the third charging voltage to charge the charging circuit 120. At this time, the level of the third charging voltage may be higher than the level of the second charging voltage V_C2.

[0048] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an auxiliary power supply 100 of an electronic device 10 according to an example embodiment.

[0049] Reference Figure 3 , the auxiliary power supply 100 may include an auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 and a charging circuit 120. The auxiliary power supply 100 may supply main power or auxiliary power to the main system 200.

[0050] In an example embodiment, the charging circuit 120 may include at least one capacitor. Figure 3 Only one capacitor is shown in FIG. 1 , but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For ease of description, a single capacitor having an equivalent capacitance C is shown as an example. The charging circuit 120 may be charged with a charging voltage V_C provided by a first direct current (DC)-DC converter 113 .

[0051] The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may include a voltage monitoring circuit 111, a first DC-DC converter 113, a second DC-DC converter 115, a first switch circuit 117, and a second switch circuit 119. The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may monitor a change in a voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120.

[0052] The voltage monitoring circuit 111 may monitor the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120, that is, the node voltage of the node Nd connected to the charging circuit 120. The voltage monitoring circuit 111 may control the first DC-DC converter 113 so that the charging voltage V_C output from the first DC-DC converter 113 varies according to the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120. In an example embodiment, the voltage monitoring circuit 111 may include a microcontroller unit (MCU).

[0053] In an example embodiment, charging voltage information IVC (i.e., information about the charging voltage V_C that varies with respect to the capacitance C of the charging circuit 120) may be stored in the voltage monitoring circuit 111. The voltage monitoring circuit 111 may control the first DC-DC converter 113 based on the charging voltage information IVC so that the charging voltage V_C corresponding to the capacitance C of the charging circuit 120 is provided to the charging circuit 120.

[0054] The first DC-DC converter 113 may convert external power into a charging voltage V_C and provide the charging voltage V_C to the charging circuit 120. When the first DC-DC converter 113 is used, the amount of electric energy charged into the first charging circuit 120 may increase. In example embodiments, the first DC-DC converter 113 may include a boost converter.

[0055] The first DC-DC converter 113 may convert the external power into a first charging voltage V_C1 and provide the first charging voltage V_C1 to the charging circuit 120. When the capacitance C of the charging circuit 120 is less than the first reference capacitance, the first DC-DC converter 113 may provide a second charging voltage V_C2 having a level higher than that of the first charging voltage V_C1 to the charging circuit 120. In an example embodiment, when the capacitance C of the charging circuit 120 is less than the second reference capacitance, the first DC-DC converter 113 may provide a third charging voltage having a level higher than that of the second charging voltage V_C2 to the charging circuit 120.

[0056] The second DC-DC converter 115 may be connected between the charging circuit 120 and the second switching circuit 119. The second DC-DC converter 115 may change the level of the voltage VNd provided by the charging circuit 120. For example, the second DC-DC converter 115 may convert the voltage VNd into a voltage suitable for the main system (e.g., Figure 1 The auxiliary voltage of the main system 200 in the second switching circuit 119 is outputted to the second switching circuit 119. In an example embodiment, the second DC-DC converter 115 may include a buck converter.

[0057] The first switch circuit 117 may transmit the external power supplied through the first power line PL1 to the main system 200 through the second power line PL2. When the external power is normally supplied to the auxiliary power supply 100, the first switch circuit 117 may be turned on so that the external power is output to the second power line PL2 as the main power. When the external power is not normally supplied to the auxiliary power supply 100, the first switch circuit 117 may be turned off and the external power may be prevented from being output to the second power line PL2.

[0058] The second switch circuit 119 may transmit the auxiliary voltage from the second DC-DC converter 115 to the main system 200 through the second power line PL2. When external power is normally supplied to the auxiliary power supply 100, the second switch circuit 119 may be turned off (e.g., in an open state), and the auxiliary voltage may be prevented from being output to the second power line PL2. When external power is not normally supplied to the auxiliary power supply 100, the second switch circuit 119 may be turned on (e.g., in a closed state), and the auxiliary voltage may be output to the second power line PL2.

[0059] In an example embodiment, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may be implemented by a single chip. For example, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 may form a power loss protection (PLP) integrated circuit (IC). In an example embodiment, the charging circuit 120 may be included in the PLP IC, or may be separated from the PLP IC.

[0060] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a main system 200 of an electronic device 10 according to an example embodiment.

[0061] Reference Figure 4 , the main system 200 may include a power management circuit 210, a controller 220, a first memory 230, and a second memory 240. In example embodiments, the power management circuit 210 may include a power management IC (PMIC).

[0062] The power management circuit 210 can receive main power or auxiliary power from the second power line PL2, can generate output voltages suitable for the operation of the controller 220, the first memory 230 and the second memory 240, respectively, and can provide the output voltages to the controller 220, the first memory 230 and the second memory 240, respectively.

[0063] The controller 220 may control the operation of the first memory 230 and the second memory 240, for example, data reading, data writing, or data erasing. The controller 220 may also control an auxiliary power circuit (for example, Figure 1 In an example embodiment, the controller 220 may receive information about the charging circuit (e.g., Figure 1The controller 220 may control the auxiliary power supply circuit to increase the charging voltage supplied to the charging circuit 120 when the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 is less than the first reference capacitance.

[0064] In an example embodiment, the controller 220 may include a processor and a working memory, and may control the auxiliary power supply 100 through a firmware operation. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the controller 220 may control the auxiliary power supply 100 through a hardware or software operation.

[0065] In example embodiments, the first memory 230 may be a different type from the second memory 240. For example, the first memory 230 may be a volatile memory, and the second memory 240 may be a non-volatile memory.

[0066] For example, the first memory 230 may be implemented as a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), etc. The second memory 240 may be implemented as a flash memory, a phase change RAM (PRAM), a ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), a magnetic RAM (MRAM), etc.

[0067] In an example embodiment, one of the first memory 230 and the second memory 240 may be a cache memory, and the other may be a main memory. Depending on the type of the main memory, the electronic device (e.g., Figure 1 The electronic device 10) may be an SSD. For example, in the case of an SSD, DRAM may be used as a cache memory, and a NAND flash memory may be used as a main memory. However, the embodiment is not limited to the case where the electronic device 10 is an SSD.

[0068] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a monitoring operation of the auxiliary power supply 100 of the electronic device 10 according to an example embodiment. Figure 6 is a graph showing the voltage of the charging circuit changing with time, and provides Figure 6 The operation of the auxiliary power supply 100 will be described. Figure 2 and Figure 5 In the exemplary embodiment, when external power is normally supplied to the electronic device 10, the charging circuit 120 may be charged by the auxiliary power supply 100. Figure 5 monitoring operation.

[0069] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 6, operation S20 may include operation S21 and operation S23. In operation S20, the auxiliary power supply 100 may measure the discharge time required for the charging circuit 120 to discharge from the first charging voltage V_C1 to the first threshold voltage V_TH1. For example, the level of the first threshold voltage V_TH1 may be lower than the level of the first charging voltage V_C1 by a first discharge voltage amount DV1.

[0070] In operation S23, the auxiliary power supply 100 may determine whether the discharge time is less than the first reference time interval TR1. The smaller the capacitance of the charging circuit 120, the faster the electric energy stored in the charging circuit 120 can be discharged. For example, when the discharge time required for the charging circuit 120 to discharge from the first charging voltage V_C1 to the first threshold voltage V_TH1 is reduced, the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 may also become lower. Therefore, when the discharge time of the charging circuit 120 is measured and compared with the reference time, it can be determined whether the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 is less than the first reference capacitance.

[0071] When the discharge time is equal to or longer than the first reference time interval TR1, the auxiliary power supply 100 may re-perform operation S10.

[0072] When the first discharge time (eg, TD1) is shorter than the first reference time interval TR1, the auxiliary power supply 100 may perform operation S30. Operation S30 may include operation S31, operation S33, and operation S35.

[0073] In operation S31, the auxiliary power supply 100 may determine whether the first charging voltage V_C1 is a maximum charging voltage. The level of the charging voltage V_C of the charging circuit 120 may be preset, and the maximum charging voltage may be a maximum value of the charging voltage V_C that ensures normal operation of the charging circuit 120. If the charging circuit 120 is charged with a voltage higher than the upper limit voltage V_L, the charging circuit 120 may be degraded and may therefore not operate normally, and the level of the maximum charging voltage may be equal to or lower than the level of the upper limit voltage V_L.

[0074] When the first charging voltage V_C1 is the maximum charging voltage, the auxiliary power supply 100 may determine the charging circuit 120 as a fault in operation S33. The auxiliary power supply 100 may notify the outside of the electronic device 10 (e.g., the host) of the fault of the charging circuit 120. The electronic device 10 may not use the auxiliary power supply 100 based on the fault information. When the first charging voltage V_C1 is the maximum charging voltage, even if the charging circuit 120 is charged with a voltage higher than the first charging voltage V_C1, it is difficult to ensure that the charging circuit 120 operates normally, and thus the charging circuit 120 may be determined to be a fault.

[0075] When the first charging voltage V_C1 is not the maximum charging voltage, the auxiliary power supply 100 may charge the charging circuit 120 with the second charging voltage V_C2 in operation S35. At this time, the level of the second charging voltage V_C2 may be higher than that of the first charging voltage V_C1 by a first voltage amount DVC1.

[0076] Although referenced Figure 5 An example in which the auxiliary power supply 100 charges the charging circuit 120 using the first charging voltage V_C1 or the second charging voltage V_C2 is described, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0077] After operation S30, the auxiliary power supply 100 may measure the discharge time required for the charging circuit 120 to discharge from the second charging voltage V_C2 to the second threshold voltage V_TH2. The auxiliary power supply 100 may determine whether the discharge time is less than the second reference time interval TR2. Since the voltage decrement (i.e., the absolute value of the falling slope) of the charging circuit 120 increases over time, in an example embodiment, the second reference time interval TR2 may be shorter than the first reference time interval TR1.

[0078] The level of the second threshold voltage V_TH2 may be lower than the level of the second charging voltage V_C2 by a second discharge voltage amount DV2. In example embodiments, the magnitude of the first discharge voltage DV1 may be equal to the magnitude of the second discharge voltage DV2. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the magnitude of the first discharge voltage DV1 may be different from the magnitude of the second discharge voltage DV2. For example, since the voltage decrement of the charging circuit 120 increases over time, the magnitude of the second discharge voltage DV2 may be set to be higher than the magnitude of the first discharge voltage DV1.

[0079] When the second discharge time (eg, TD2 ) is shorter than the second reference time interval TR2 , the auxiliary power supply 100 may further determine whether the second charging voltage V_C2 is a maximum charging voltage.

[0080] When the second charging voltage V_C2 is the maximum charging voltage, the auxiliary power supply 100 may determine that the charging circuit 120 fails. The auxiliary power supply 100 may notify the outside of the electronic device 10 (eg, a host) of the failure of the charging circuit 120.

[0081] When the second charging voltage V_C2 is not the maximum charging voltage, the auxiliary power supply 100 may charge the charging circuit 120 using the third charging voltage V_C3 .

[0082] At this time, the level of the third charging voltage V_C3 may be higher than the level of the second charging voltage V_C2 by the second voltage amount DVC2. In an example embodiment, the magnitude of the first voltage amount DVC1 may be equal to the magnitude of the second voltage amount DVC2. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the magnitude of the first voltage amount DVC1 may be different from the magnitude of the second voltage amount DVC2.

[0083] In an example embodiment, the auxiliary power supply 100 may control the charging and discharging of the charging circuit 120 so that the voltage of the charging circuit 120 has a value between the third charging voltage V_C3 and the third threshold voltage V_TH3. The level of the third threshold voltage V_TH3 may be lower than the level of the third charging voltage V_C3 by the third discharge voltage DV3. In an example embodiment, the magnitude of the second discharge voltage DV2 may be equal to the magnitude of the third discharge voltage DV3. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the magnitude of the second discharge voltage DV2 may be different from the magnitude of the third discharge voltage DV3. For example, since the voltage decrement of the charging circuit 120 increases over time, the magnitude of the third discharge voltage DV3 may be set to be greater than the magnitude of the second discharge voltage DV2.

[0084] The auxiliary power supply 100 can prevent the power stored in the charging circuit 120 from being reduced due to the degradation of the capacitor by causing the charging voltage of the charging circuit 120 to gradually increase as the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 gradually decreases.

[0085] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining charging voltage information IVC stored in the auxiliary power source 100 according to an example embodiment.

[0086] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 , charging voltage information IVC (ie, information about the charging voltage V_C relative to the capacitance variation of the charging circuit) may be stored in the auxiliary power supply 100. In example embodiments, the charging voltage information IVC may include information about the charging voltage V_C, the threshold voltage V_TH, and the reference time TR.

[0087] In the first period P1, the auxiliary power supply 100 may repeatedly perform an operation of charging the charging circuit to the first charging voltage V_C1 and an operation of discharging the charging circuit to the first threshold voltage V_TH1 based on the charging voltage information IVC. When a first discharge time required for the charging circuit to discharge from the first charging voltage V_C1 to the first threshold voltage V_TH1 is shorter than the first reference time interval TR1, the auxiliary power supply 100 may charge the charging circuit with the second charging voltage V_C2. In an example embodiment, when the first discharge time is shorter than the second reference time interval TR2, the auxiliary power supply 100 may skip the stage of charging the charging circuit with the second charging voltage V_C2 and immediately charge the charging circuit with the third charging voltage V_C3.

[0088] In the second period P2, the auxiliary power supply 100 may repeatedly perform the operation of charging the charging circuit to the second charging voltage V_C2 and the operation of discharging the charging circuit to the second threshold voltage V_TH2 based on the charging voltage information IVC. When the second discharge time required for the charging circuit to discharge from the second charging voltage V_C2 to the second threshold voltage V_TH2 is shorter than the second reference time interval TR2, the auxiliary power supply 100 may charge the charging circuit to the third charging voltage V_C3.

[0089] In the third period P3, the auxiliary power supply 100 may repeatedly perform the operation of charging the charging circuit to the third charging voltage V_C3 and the operation of discharging the charging circuit to the third threshold voltage V_TH3 based on the charging voltage information IVC. When the third discharge time required for the charging circuit to discharge from the third charging voltage V_C3 to the third threshold voltage V_TH3 is shorter than the third reference time interval TR3, the auxiliary power supply 100 may determine that the charging circuit is faulty. The electronic device 10 may not use the auxiliary power supply 100 based on the fault information. Although an example in which the third charging voltage V_C3 is the maximum charging voltage has been described for convenience, the embodiment is not limited thereto. In the case where the charging voltage information IVC also includes information about a fourth charging voltage having a level higher than the third charging voltage V_C3, when the third discharge time required for the charging circuit to discharge from the third charging voltage V_C3 to the third threshold voltage V_TH3 is less than the third reference time interval TR3, the auxiliary power supply 100 may charge the charging circuit to the fourth charging voltage.

[0090] In example embodiments, the level may gradually increase from the first charging voltage V_C1 to the third charging voltage V_C3. The level may gradually increase from the first threshold voltage V_TH1 to the third threshold voltage V_TH3. In addition, the length may gradually decrease from the first reference time interval TR1 to the third reference time interval TR3.

[0091] In the accompanying drawings, the charging voltage information IVC includes: first to third charging voltages V_C1 to V_C3 having different levels, first to third threshold voltages V_TH1 to V_TH3 corresponding to the first to V_C1 to V_C3 and having different levels, and first to third reference time intervals TR1 to TR3 corresponding to the first to V_C1 to V_C3. However, this is only for the convenience of description, and the number of charging voltages having different levels, the number of threshold voltages having different levels, and the number of reference times having different lengths in the charging voltage information IVC may be two or at least four.

[0092] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a monitoring operation of the auxiliary power supply 100 of the electronic device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 8 In an exemplary embodiment, when external power is normally supplied to the electronic device 10, the auxiliary power supply 100 may perform the charging circuit 120. Figure 8 monitoring operation.

[0093] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 When the discharge time (eg, TD1) is shorter than the first reference time interval TR1 in operation S23, the auxiliary power supply 100 may perform operation S30a. Operation S30a may include operation S31a, operation S33a, and operation S35a.

[0094] In operation S31a, the auxiliary power supply 100 may determine whether the second charging voltage V_C2 is higher than the upper limit voltage V_L. The auxiliary power supply 100 may calculate the second charging voltage V_C2 by adding the first voltage amount DVC1 having a predetermined value to the first charging voltage V_C1, and then compare the second charging voltage V_C2 with the upper limit voltage V_L. The upper limit voltage V_L may have a level that allows the charging circuit 120 to operate normally, and may have a predetermined value. When the charging circuit 120 is overcharged beyond the upper limit voltage V_L, the normal operation of the charging circuit 120 may not be ensured.

[0095] When the second charging voltage V_C2 is higher than the upper limit voltage V_L, the auxiliary power supply 100 may determine that the charging circuit 120 fails in operation S33a. The auxiliary power supply 100 may notify the outside of the electronic device 10 (eg, a host) of the failure of the charging circuit 120.

[0096] When the second charging voltage V_C2 is equal to or lower than the upper limit voltage V_L, the auxiliary power supply 100 may charge the charging circuit 120 with the second charging voltage V_C2 having a level higher than the first charging voltage V_C1 by a first voltage amount DVC1 in operation S35a.

[0097] In example embodiments, the first charging voltage V_C1 may be a charging voltage V_C initially used to charge the charging circuit 120 , and the first voltage amount DVC1 may have a predetermined value.

[0098] Although referenced Figure 8 An example in which the auxiliary power supply 100 charges the charging circuit 120 using the first charging voltage V_C1 or the second charging voltage V_C2 is described, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0099] After operation S30a, the auxiliary power supply 100 may measure the discharge time of the charging circuit 120 from the second charging voltage V_C2 to the second threshold voltage V_TH2. When the second discharge time (e.g., TD2) is shorter than the second reference time interval TR2, the auxiliary power supply 100 may determine whether the third charging voltage V_C3 is equal to or higher than the upper limit voltage V_L. The auxiliary power supply 100 may calculate the third charging voltage V_C3 by adding the second voltage amount DVC2 having a predetermined value to the second charging voltage V_C2, and then compare the third charging voltage V_C3 with the upper limit voltage V_L.

[0100] When the third charging voltage V_C3 is higher than the upper limit voltage V_L, the auxiliary power supply 100 may determine that the charging circuit 120 is faulty. The auxiliary power supply 100 may notify the outside of the electronic device 10 (eg, a host) of the fault of the charging circuit 120.

[0101] When the third charging voltage V_C3 is equal to or lower than the upper limit voltage V_L, the auxiliary power supply 100 may charge the charging circuit 120 using the third charging voltage V_C3.

[0102] In an example embodiment, the magnitude of the first voltage amount DVC1 may be equal to the magnitude of the second voltage amount DVC2. In other words, the second charging voltage V_C2 may increase to the third charging voltage V_C3 with the same level width as the first charging voltage V_C1 increases to the second charging voltage V_C2. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the magnitude of the first voltage amount DVC1 may be different from the magnitude of the second voltage amount DVC2.

[0103] Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining charging voltage information IVC′ stored in the auxiliary power source 100 according to an example embodiment.

[0104] Reference Figure 6 and Fig. 9 , charging voltage information IVC' (ie, information about the charging voltage V_C relative to the capacitance change of the charging circuit) may be stored in the auxiliary power supply 100. In an example embodiment, the charging voltage information IVC' may include information about an initial charging voltage, a charging voltage increment, a threshold voltage V_TH, and a reference time TR.

[0105] In the first period P1, the auxiliary power supply 100 may repeatedly perform the operation of charging the charging circuit to the initial charging voltage (i.e., the first charging voltage V_C1) and the operation of discharging the charging circuit to the first threshold voltage V_TH1 based on the charging voltage information IVC'. When the first discharge time required for the charging circuit to discharge from the first charging voltage V_C1 to the first threshold voltage V_TH1 is shorter than the first reference time interval TR1, the auxiliary power supply 100 may charge the charging circuit to the second charging voltage V_C2, which is higher than the first charging voltage V_C1 by the first voltage amount DVC1.

[0106] In the second period P2, the auxiliary power supply 100 may repeatedly perform the operation of charging the charging circuit to the second charging voltage V_C2 and the operation of discharging the charging circuit to the second threshold voltage V_TH2 based on the charging voltage information IVC'. When the second discharge time required for the charging circuit to discharge from the second charging voltage V_C2 to the second threshold voltage V_TH2 is shorter than the second reference time interval TR2, the auxiliary power supply 100 may charge the charging circuit to the third charging voltage V_C3, which is higher than the first charging voltage V_C1 by the sum of the first voltage amount DVC1 and the second voltage amount DVC2.

[0107] Although it is shown that the first voltage amount DVC1 and the second voltage amount DVC2 having two different values ​​are included in the charging voltage information IVC', the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the charging voltage increment may be set to a single value. For example, the second charging voltage V_C2 may be higher than the first charging voltage V_C1 by the first voltage amount DVC1, and the third charging voltage V_C3 may be higher than the first charging voltage V_C1 by twice the first voltage amount DVC1.

[0108] Fig.10 is a block diagram of an electronic device 10a according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 and Fig.10 Redundant descriptions of the same tag in .

[0109] Reference Fig.10, the electronic device 10a may include an auxiliary power supply (or auxiliary power supply circuit) 100a and a main system 200a. The auxiliary power supply 100a may supply auxiliary power (or auxiliary voltage) to the main system 200a, and the main system 200a may operate using the auxiliary power. Figure 4 The description of the main system 200 may be applied to the main system 200a.

[0110] In an example embodiment, the electronic device 10a may include a storage device. For example, the electronic device 10a may include an SSD.

[0111] The auxiliary power supply 100a may include an auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a and a charging circuit 120. The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a may store electric energy in the charging circuit 120 using external power and measure a voltage of the charging circuit 120.

[0112] The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a can charge electric energy into the charging circuit 120 using the external power (or external voltage) when the external power is normally supplied to the auxiliary power supply 100a. The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a can enable the external power to be output to the second power line PL2 as the main power (or main voltage), and prevent the auxiliary power charged in the charging circuit 120 from being output to the second power line PL2. When the external power is not normally supplied to the auxiliary power supply 100a, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a can prevent the main power from being output to the second power line PL2, and enable the auxiliary power in the charging circuit 120 to be output to the second power line PL2.

[0113] The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a may monitor the voltage of the charging circuit 120. In an example embodiment, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a may measure the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120, and transmit a capacitor voltage signal S_VNd corresponding to the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120 to the main system 200a. In an example embodiment, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a may measure a discharge time required for the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120 to decrease from the charging voltage V_C (e.g., the first charging voltage V_C1) to a threshold voltage (e.g., the first threshold voltage V_TH1), and transmit information about the discharge time to the main system 200a.

[0114] The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a may control the charging voltage V_C provided to the charging circuit 120 in response to the charging voltage change command CMD_VC. For example, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a may first charge the charging circuit 120 with the first charging voltage V_C1, and when receiving the charging voltage change command CMD_VC, charge the charging circuit 120 with the second charging voltage V_C2. At this time, the level of the second charging voltage V_C2 may be higher than the level of the first charging voltage V_C1.

[0115] The main system 200a may operate using power supplied through the second power line PL2. The main system 200a may include hardware or software each for controlling the auxiliary power supply 100a. The main system 200a may output a charging voltage change command CMD_VC to the auxiliary power supply 100a based on the charging voltage information IVCa and the capacitance change of the charging circuit 120.

[0116] In an example embodiment, the charging voltage information IVCa (ie, information about the charging voltage V_C with respect to the capacitance variation of the charging circuit 120) may be stored in the main system 200a (eg, Figure 4 In the example embodiment, from Figure 7 The charging voltage information IVC and Fig. 9 The description of at least one selected from the charging voltage information IVC' may be applied to the charging voltage information IVCa.

[0117] The main system 200a may receive the capacitor voltage signal S_VNd and obtain information about the voltage change of the charging circuit 120. The main system 200a may detect the capacitance change of the charging circuit 120 using the voltage change of the charging circuit 120. For example, the main system 200a may detect the capacitance change of the charging circuit 120 by detecting the change in the discharge time required for the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120 to discharge from the charging voltage V_C to the threshold voltage. When the capacitance of the charging circuit 120 is less than the reference capacitance, the main system 200a may output the charging voltage change command CMD_VC to the auxiliary power supply 100a.

[0118] In an example embodiment, the main system 200 a may receive information about a discharge time required for the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120 to be discharged from the charging voltage V_C to the threshold voltage from the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110 a .

[0119] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B is a block diagram of auxiliary power supplies 100a and 100a' of an electronic device 10a according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 , Fig.11A and Fig. 11BRedundant descriptions of the same tag in .

[0120] Reference Fig.11A The auxiliary power supply 100a may include an auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a and a charging circuit 120. The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a may include a voltage monitoring circuit 111a, a first DC-DC converter 113, a second DC-DC converter 115, a first switch circuit 117, and a second switch circuit 119.

[0121] The voltage monitoring circuit 111a may measure a change in the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120. The voltage monitoring circuit 111a may monitor the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120. The voltage monitoring circuit 111a may transmit a capacitor voltage signal S_VNd corresponding to the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120 to a controller of the main system. In an example embodiment, the voltage monitoring circuit 111a may measure a discharge time required for the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120 to decrease from a charging voltage V_C (e.g., a first charging voltage V_C1) to a threshold voltage (e.g., a first threshold voltage V_TH1), and transmit information about the discharge time to the controller of the main system.

[0122] The voltage monitoring circuit 111a may control the first DC-DC converter 113 in response to the charging voltage change command CMD_VC. For example, the voltage monitoring circuit 111a may control the first DC-DC converter 113 so that the charging circuit 120 is first charged with the first charging voltage V_C1, and when the charging voltage change command CMD_VC is received, the voltage monitoring circuit 111a may control the first DC-DC converter 113 so that the charging circuit 120 is charged with the second charging voltage V_C2.

[0123] In an example embodiment, the capacitor voltage signal S_VNd, information about the discharge time, and the charge voltage change command CMD_VC may be sent through a bus that transmits signals between the auxiliary power supply 100a and the controller of the main system. For example, the bus may transmit signals in an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) mode.

[0124] In example embodiments, the first DC-DC converter 113 may convert external power into a first charging voltage V_C1 and provide the first charging voltage V_C1 to the charging circuit 120. When the capacitance C (i.e., equivalent capacitance) of the charging circuit 120 is less than the first reference capacitance, the first DC-DC converter 113 may provide the charging circuit 120 with a second charging voltage V_C2 having a higher level than the first charging voltage V_C1.

[0125] In an example embodiment, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a may be implemented by a single chip. For example, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a may form a PLP IC.

[0126] Reference Fig. 11B The auxiliary power supply 100a' may include an auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a' and a charging circuit 120. The auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a' may include a voltage monitoring circuit 111a', a first DC-DC converter 113', a second DC-DC converter 115, a first switch circuit 117, and a second switch circuit 119.

[0127] The voltage monitoring circuit 111a' may measure a change in the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120. The voltage monitoring circuit 111a' may monitor the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120. The voltage monitoring circuit 111a' may transmit a capacitor voltage signal S_VNd corresponding to the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120 to a controller of the main system. In an example embodiment, the voltage monitoring circuit 111a' may measure a discharge time required for the voltage VNd of the charging circuit 120 to decrease from the charging voltage V_C to the threshold voltage, and transmit information about the discharge time to the controller of the main system.

[0128] The first DC-DC converter 113' may control the charging voltage V_C to be output in response to the charging voltage change command CMD_VC. For example, the first DC-DC converter 113' may first output the first charging voltage V_C1, and upon receiving the charging voltage change command CMD_VC, may output the second charging voltage V_C2.

[0129] In an example embodiment, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a' may be implemented by a single chip. For example, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit 110a' may form a PLP IC.

[0130] Reference Fig.11A and Fig. 11B , the auxiliary power supplies 100a and 100a′ can prevent the electric energy stored in the charging circuit 120 from decreasing by causing the charging voltage V_C of the charging circuit 120 to gradually increase as the capacitance C of the charging circuit 120 gradually decreases.

[0131] Fig.12 is a block diagram of an example in which the electronic device 10 or 10 ′ is applied to an SSD according to an example embodiment.

[0132] Reference Fig.12 , the SSD system 1000 may include a host 1100 and an SSD 1200. The SSD system 1000 may include Figure 1 The electronic device 10 and Fig.10At least one selected by the electronic device 10a.

[0133] The SSD 1200 may send and receive signals to and from the host 1100 through the signal connector 1211, and may receive power through the power connector 1221. The SSD 1200 may include a plurality of flash memories 1201 to 120m, an SSD controller 1210, and an auxiliary power supply 1220. The flash memories 1201 to 120m may be used as storage media of the SSD 1200. In addition to the flash memories, the SSD 1200 may also use non-volatile memory devices such as PRAM, MRAM, resistive RAM (ReRAM), and FRAM. The flash memories 1201 to 120m may be connected to the SSD controller 1210 through a plurality of channels Ch1 to Chm, respectively. At least one flash memory may be connected to a single channel. The flash memory connected to one channel may be connected to one data bus.

[0134] The SSD controller 1210 may transmit and receive a signal SGL to and from the host 1100 through the signal connector 1211. The signal SGL may include a command, an address, data, etc. The SSD controller 1210 may write or read data to or from a specific flash memory according to a command from the host 1100.

[0135] The auxiliary power supply 1220 may be connected to the host 1100 through a power connector 1221. The auxiliary power supply 1220 may receive power PWR from the host 1100 and be charged using the power PWR. The auxiliary power supply 1220 may be arranged inside or outside the SSD 1200. For example, the auxiliary power supply 1220 may be arranged in a mainboard and may supply auxiliary power to the SSD 1200. The auxiliary power supply 1220 may include a power supply from a mainboard. Figure 3 Auxiliary power supply 100, Fig.11A Auxiliary power supply 100a and Fig. 11B At least one of the auxiliary power supplies 100a' is selected.

[0136] When the capacitance of the charging circuit included in the auxiliary power supply 1220 gradually decreases, the SSD 1200 can gradually increase the magnitude of the voltage used to charge the charging circuit to prevent the power stored in the charging circuit from decreasing. Therefore, the auxiliary power supply 1220 reliably supplies power to the SSD 1200, and thus, the operating efficiency of the SSD 1200 can be prevented from being reduced, and the data stored in the SSD 1200 can be safely retained.

[0137] While the inventive concept has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for providing auxiliary power by an auxiliary power supply, the auxiliary power supply comprising a charging circuit and the method comprising: Converting external power into multiple charging voltages; charging the charging circuit using a first charging voltage among the plurality of charging voltages; monitoring a change in capacitance of the charging circuit by measuring a voltage of the charging circuit, wherein the charging circuit includes at least one capacitor; controlling a charging voltage of the charging circuit based on the change in capacitance of the charging circuit, wherein when the capacitance of the charging circuit is less than a first reference capacitance, charging the charging circuit with a second charging voltage of the plurality of charging voltages, the second charging voltage being higher than the first charging voltage by a first voltage amount; and providing auxiliary power to the auxiliary power source externally, The auxiliary power is generated based on the voltage of the charging circuit.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: When the discharge time required for the voltage of the charging circuit to decrease from the first charging voltage to the first threshold voltage is shorter than a first reference time interval, the charging circuit is charged with the second charging voltage.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: When a discharge time required for the voltage of the charging circuit to decrease from the second charging voltage to a second threshold voltage is shorter than a second reference time interval, the charging circuit is charged with a third charging voltage among the plurality of charging voltages, the third charging voltage being higher than the second charging voltage by a second voltage amount.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The second reference time interval is shorter than the first reference time interval.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The step of charging the charging circuit using the second charging voltage includes: determining that the charging circuit is faulty when a second charging voltage calculated by adding the first voltage amount to the first charging voltage is higher than an upper limit voltage capable of charging the charging circuit so that the auxiliary power source can operate normally; and When the second charging voltage calculated by adding the first voltage amount to the first charging voltage is equal to or lower than the upper limit voltage, the charging circuit is charged with the second charging voltage.

6. An auxiliary power supply circuit, comprising: an auxiliary power monitoring circuit configured to provide auxiliary power to an external portion of the auxiliary power monitoring circuit; as well as a charging circuit connected to the auxiliary power monitoring circuit, Wherein, the auxiliary power monitoring circuit comprises: a converter configured to convert external power into a charging voltage and provide the charging voltage to the charging circuit; and a voltage monitoring circuit configured to monitor a change in capacitance of the charging circuit by measuring a voltage of the charging circuit, and to control the converter based on the change in capacitance of the charging circuit, wherein the charging circuit includes at least one capacitor, Wherein, the auxiliary power supply circuit is configured so that the voltage monitoring circuit controls the converter to: When the capacitance of the charging circuit is equal to or greater than a first reference capacitance, providing a first charging voltage to the charging circuit, and When the capacitance of the charging circuit is less than the first reference capacitance, a second charging voltage higher than the first charging voltage is provided to the charging circuit, and Wherein, the auxiliary power is generated based on the capacitor of the charging circuit.

7. The auxiliary power supply circuit according to claim 6, wherein: The auxiliary power supply circuit is further configured such that: when a discharge time required for the voltage of the charging circuit to decrease from the first charging voltage to a first threshold voltage is shorter than a first reference time interval, the voltage monitoring circuit determines that the capacitance of the charging circuit is less than the first reference capacitance.

8. The auxiliary power supply circuit according to claim 7, wherein: The auxiliary power supply circuit is also configured such that: When the discharge time required for the voltage of the charging circuit to decrease from the second charging voltage to the second threshold voltage is equal to or longer than a second reference time interval, the voltage monitoring circuit controls the converter to provide the second charging voltage to the charging circuit, and When the discharge time is shorter than the second reference time interval, the voltage monitoring circuit controls the converter to provide a third charging voltage greater than the second charging voltage to the charging circuit.

9. The auxiliary power supply circuit according to claim 8, wherein: The second reference time interval is shorter than the first reference time interval.

10. The auxiliary power supply circuit according to claim 6, wherein: The voltage monitoring circuit is configured to store charging voltage information regarding a charging voltage with respect to a change in the capacitance of the charging circuit, and control the converter based on the charging voltage information.

11. The auxiliary power supply circuit according to claim 10, wherein: The charging voltage information includes a magnitude of the first charging voltage and a magnitude of the second charging voltage.

12. The auxiliary power supply circuit according to claim 10, wherein: The charging voltage information includes a magnitude of the first charging voltage and a difference between the first charging voltage and the second charging voltage.

13. The auxiliary power supply circuit according to claim 6, wherein: The auxiliary power supply circuit further includes: a switch circuit configured to control the power supplied to the outside of the auxiliary power monitoring circuit, The auxiliary power supply circuit is configured such that: while the converter converts the external power into the charging voltage and provides the charging voltage to the charging circuit, the switching circuit is in an on state to supply the power charged in the charging circuit to the outside of the auxiliary power monitoring circuit.

14. A storage device comprising: an auxiliary power supply, the auxiliary power supply comprising a charging circuit and a voltage monitoring circuit, the voltage monitoring circuit being configured to monitor a change in capacitance of the charging circuit by measuring a voltage of the charging circuit, and to control a charging voltage of the charging circuit based on the change in capacitance of the charging circuit, and the auxiliary power supply being configured to receive external power and generate main power and auxiliary power based on the external power; wherein the charging circuit comprises at least one capacitor, and a main system configured to control the operation of the auxiliary power supply, The auxiliary power supply is further configured to charge the charging circuit using a first charging voltage, and The storage device is configured such that: when the capacitance of the charging circuit is less than a first reference capacitance, the auxiliary power supply charges the charging circuit with a second charging voltage higher than the first charging voltage.

15. The storage device according to claim 14, wherein: The storage device is further configured such that: when a discharge time required for the voltage of the charging circuit to decrease from the first charging voltage to a first threshold voltage is shorter than a first reference time interval, the auxiliary power supply determines that the capacitance of the charging circuit is less than the first reference capacitance.

16. The storage device according to claim 14, wherein: The auxiliary power supply is further configured to store charging voltage information about the first charging voltage and the second charging voltage relative to a change in the capacitance of the charging circuit, and determine magnitudes of the first charging voltage and the second charging voltage based on the charging voltage information.

17. The storage device according to claim 14, wherein: The host system is further configured to store charging voltage information about the first charging voltage and the second charging voltage with respect to a change in the capacitance of the charging circuit.

18. The storage device according to claim 17, wherein: The auxiliary power supply is further configured to send a capacitor voltage signal corresponding to the voltage of the charging circuit to the main system, and The main system is further configured to output a charging voltage change command based on the capacitor voltage signal and the charging voltage information to change the magnitude of the first charging voltage and the magnitude of the second charging voltage.

19. The storage device according to claim 18, wherein the auxiliary power supply further comprises a converter configured to: convert the external power into the first charging voltage and the second charging voltage, and provide one of the first charging voltage and the second charging voltage to the charging circuit, and in, The converter is further configured to convert a charging voltage from the first charging voltage to the second charging voltage in response to the charging voltage change command.

20. The storage device according to claim 18, wherein: The auxiliary power supply also includes: a converter configured to convert the external power into the first charging voltage and the second charging voltage and provide one of the first charging voltage and the second charging voltage to the charging circuit; and a voltage monitoring circuit configured to monitor the voltage of the charging circuit and control the converter, The voltage monitoring circuit is further configured to: control the converter to convert the charging voltage from the first charging voltage to the second charging voltage in response to the charging voltage change command.

Images