Switching device and power supply test system

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of switching device and test system for testing CPU power supply in mainboard, and mainboard includes power module, and ground contact and power contact being set in the front of mainboard, ground contact and power contact are electrically connected with power module, switching device is connected between power module and direct current electronic load equipment when testing;Switching device includes the switching board with mutually parallel first surface and second surface, first surface is equipped with the direct current power supply pin corresponding with the power contact of partial type and the ground pin corresponding with ground contact, second surface is equipped with the direct current pull load connector electrically connected with direct current power supply pin and the ground connector electrically connected with ground pin;Direct current pull load connector is screw type wiring terminal, for crimping fixed and electrically connected with direct current electronic load equipment Load line.The utility model can improve the influence of parasitic parameter when load line is connected with the mainboard to be measured, and can improve test accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of power supply testing, and in particular to an adapter and a power supply testing system. Background Technology

[0002] With advancements in transistor manufacturing technology, the operating voltage of the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is continuously decreasing, while the CPU's power consumption is constantly increasing with the frequency. In order to provide a stable power supply to the CPU, the motherboard can use a multi-phase power supply to meet the CPU's operating requirements.

[0003] Multiphase power supply is a common low-voltage, high-current power supply solution for servers and high-performance computing devices, used to power high-performance CPUs. Testing multiphase power supplies, especially transient response testing, has always been an important indicator for evaluating their performance. For 3.3V and 5V multiphase power supplies on motherboards, transient response testing can be performed using an electronic load tester.

[0004] However, for low-voltage, high-current multiphase power supply solutions, the parasitic inductance and parasitic impedance parameters when the load line is connected to the motherboard under test limit the current jump slope, resulting in inaccurate test results. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above problems, an adapter and power supply test system are proposed to overcome or at least partially solve the above problems, so as to solve the problem that the current jump slope is limited when the load line is connected to the motherboard under test, resulting in inaccurate test results.

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, this utility model provides an adapter for testing the CPU power supply on a motherboard. The motherboard includes a power module, grounding contacts and various types of power contacts located on the front side of the motherboard. Both the grounding contacts and the power contacts are electrically connected to the power module. During testing, the adapter is connected between the power module and a DC electronic load device.

[0007] The adapter includes an adapter plate, which includes a first surface and a second surface that are parallel to each other. The first surface is provided with a DC power pin corresponding to a certain type of power contact and a ground pin corresponding to a ground contact. The second surface is provided with a DC load connector and a ground connector. The DC load connector is electrically connected to the DC power pin, and the ground connector is electrically connected to the ground pin.

[0008] The DC load connector is a screw-type terminal block used for crimping and fixing the load line that is electrically connected to the DC electronic load device.

[0009] Optionally, the grounding connector is a screw-type terminal block used for crimping and fixing the grounding wire that is electrically connected to the DC electronic load device.

[0010] Optionally, the screw-type terminal block includes a welding base and a fastening screw;

[0011] The welding base is provided with welding pins and threaded holes. The welding base is fixed to the adapter plate by welding pins. The fastening screw is threaded to the threaded hole to fix the load line.

[0012] Optionally, the first surface is further provided with an AC power pin corresponding to another type of power contact, and the second surface is provided with an AC pull-load connector, which is electrically connected to the AC power pin;

[0013] The AC load connector is a multi-pin connector that matches the VRTT device, and the AC load connector is used to plug into the VRTT device.

[0014] Optionally, an anti-static capacitor is provided in the circuit formed by the AC load connector and the grounding connector.

[0015] Optionally, the antistatic capacitor is arranged close to the AC load connector.

[0016] Optionally, the number of AC load connectors is two, and the two AC load connectors extend in parallel directions, with each AC load connector serving as an interface for a different power rail.

[0017] Optionally, there are multiple DC load connectors. The first group of DC load connectors are arranged at equal intervals along a direction parallel to the extension direction of the AC load connector. The second group of DC load connectors is located near one end of the AC load connector. The first group of DC load connectors and the second group of DC load connectors are interfaces for two different power rails.

[0018] Optionally, the second surface is further provided with an AVS connector, and the first surface is further provided with pins that are electrically connected to the AVS connector.

[0019] Optionally, the second surface is further provided with a PMbus connector, and the first surface is further provided with pins that are electrically connected to the PMbus connector.

[0020] This utility model also provides a power supply testing system, which includes any of the aforementioned adapters and a DC electronic load device used in conjunction with the adapter.

[0021] The embodiments of this utility model have the following advantages:

[0022] In the adapter device of this embodiment, the DC load connector is a screw-type terminal block that allows for easy disassembly and wiring. This screw-type terminal block can easily and quickly crimp and fix thicker load wires, and has a large current-carrying capacity. Furthermore, compared to soldering the load wire to the adapter plate, it can reduce parasitic parameters caused by soldering, which helps to improve the current jump slope, making the DC electronic load device simulate real loads more realistically, and therefore, the test results are more accurate. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a simplified schematic diagram of a motherboard to which the adapter device of this utility model is applicable;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a simplified structural diagram of an adapter according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 3 This is an embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 2 A side view of the adapter shown;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a top view schematic diagram of another adapter device according to another embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 5 This is an exploded view showing the positional relationship between the CPU socket and the adapter board according to an embodiment of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the CPU socket cover in the open position relative to the base in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0030] Motherboard-10, CPU socket-101, backplate-101a, base-101b, cover-101c, pressure plate-101d, grounding contact-1011, power contact-1012, power module-102, adapter-20, adapter board-201, DC power pin-2011, grounding pin-2012, DC load connector-2013, solder base-20131, fastening screw-20132, grounding connector-2014, AC power pin-2015, AC load connector-2016, anti-static capacitor-2017, AVS connector-2018, PMbus connector-2019. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0032] like Figure 1 As illustrated, the motherboard 10 of this embodiment includes a power module 102 for supplying power to the CPU in the motherboard 10. The power module 102 can be a voltage regulator (VR). Multiphase power supplies are widely used in servers and high-performance computing devices to power high-performance CPUs and ensure stable CPU operation. Specifically, the power module 102 can convert an 8-pin or 4-pin 12V power supply into a low-voltage input for the CPU. It consists of a controller and multiple DrMOS (Driver and MOSFET) modules, and its flexible configuration and multi-phase parallel connection can well meet the high current requirements of digital chips. The power module 102 can be an existing mature integrated circuit chip.

[0033] The motherboard 10 includes ground contacts 1011 and various types of power contacts 1012 disposed on its front side. Both the ground contacts 1011 and the power contacts 1012 are electrically connected to the power module 102 on the motherboard 10. The front side of the motherboard 10 refers to the side surface used for mounting the CPU.

[0034] Optionally, in one embodiment, the motherboard 10 may include a CPU socket 101 for mounting a CPU, with ground contacts 1011 and power contacts 1012 on the surface of the motherboard 10 located within the area contained in the CPU socket 101. The pins on the bottom of the CPU mounted in the CPU socket 101 are connected to the ground contacts 1011 and power contacts 1012 of the motherboard 10 via holes or pins in the CPU socket 101, thereby electrically connecting the CPU to the power module 102 on the motherboard 10 through the ground contacts 1011 and power contacts 1012, forming a power supply circuit for the CPU.

[0035] like Figure 2 As illustrated, the adapter 20 of this embodiment is a hardware adapter for testing the CPU power supply in the motherboard 10. During testing, the adapter 20 is connected between the power module 102 and the DC electronic load device. The main hardware of the adapter 20 includes an adapter board 201, which has the same external dimensions as the CPU inserted into the CPU socket 101. It can replace the CPU in the CPU socket 101 and connects the power contacts 1012 in the CPU socket 101 to facilitate connection with the load device.

[0036] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown in the diagram, the adapter plate 201 includes a first surface 201a and a second surface 201b that are parallel to each other. The first surface 201a and the second surface 201b can be two larger surfaces that are opposite to each other in the thickness direction. The first surface 201a is provided with a DC power supply pin 2011 and a ground pin 2012. The second surface 201b is provided with a DC load connector 2013 and a ground connector 2014. The DC power supply pin 2011 and the DC load connector 2013 are electrically connected, and the ground pin 2012 and the ground connector 2014 are electrically connected.

[0037] For example, the adapter board 201 can be a multilayer PCB board manufactured using PCB (Printed Circuit Board) technology. One surface of the adapter board has a DC power supply pin 2011 and a ground pin 2012. The physical structure of these pins is the same as the pin structure on the bottom of the CPU to be replaced. Depending on the CPU packaging process, the physical structure of the DC power supply pin 2011 and the ground pin 2012 can be spherical or pin-shaped. The other surface of the adapter board 201 has a DC load connector 2013 and a ground connector 2014. The DC load connector 2013 is electrically connected to the DC power supply pin 2011 through vias inside the PCB and interlayer traces. The ground connector 2014 is electrically connected to the ground pin 2012 through vias inside the PCB and interlayer traces.

[0038] When the aforementioned adapter board 201 is inserted into the CPU socket 101, the DC power supply pin 2011 is electrically connected to the DC output contact in the power contact 1012 through the socket or pin of the CPU socket 101, and the ground pin 2012 is electrically connected to the ground contact 1011 through the socket or pin of the CPU socket 101. Then, the DC electronic load device is electrically connected to the DC load connector 2013 through the load line, and electrically connected to the ground connector 2014 through the ground line, forming a test circuit between the DC electronic load device and the power module 102, thereby performing the test task.

[0039] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, since the current drawn during DC steady-state testing using a large electronic load device (e.g., a Chroma 6310A series programmable DC electronic load) is approximately 300A, it requires good heat dissipation and current carrying capacity. Therefore, this embodiment uses a screw-type terminal block for easy disassembly and connection as the DC load connector 2013. This screw-type terminal block can easily and quickly crimp and fix thicker load wires, and has a large current carrying capacity. Furthermore, compared to soldering the load wire to the adapter plate 201, it can reduce parasitic parameters caused by soldering, which helps to improve the current jump slope, making the DC electronic load device simulate real loads more realistically, and thus the test results are more accurate.

[0040] As can be seen, the conversion device of this utility model embodiment can use a thick load line to improve the current carrying capacity, and by connecting it to a screw-type terminal block, it can reduce the influence of parasitic inductance and parasitic impedance parameters when the load line is connected to the motherboard under test, thereby improving the accuracy of the test results.

[0041] Optionally, in one embodiment, the aforementioned grounding connector 2014 is a screw-type terminal block. Using a screw-type terminal block to crimp and fix the grounding wire between the DC electronic load device and the motherboard 10 allows for easy disassembly and assembly of the grounding wire, avoiding the inconvenience caused by soldering the grounding wire during disassembly and assembly.

[0042] Alternatively, in one implementation, in order to test the characteristics of the AC load, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As illustrated, the first surface 201a of the adapter board 201 is also provided with an AC power pin 2015 corresponding to another type of power contact 1012, and the second surface 201b is provided with an AC load connector 2016. The AC load connector 2016 can also be electrically connected to the AC power pin 2015 through vias inside the PCB and interlayer traces.

[0043] Since the current in AC load characteristic testing is smaller than that in DC load characteristic testing, the current-carrying performance requirements are not as high. Therefore, the load tester connected to the AC load connector 2016 can be a VRTT (Voltage Regulator Test Tool) device. The VRTT device is a high-current-slope load tester developed by Intel, and it is paired with a multi-pin connector for insertion and current transfer. It is understood that the VRTT device used in this embodiment can be a commercially available load device, and with the accompanying test software, the VRTT device can be controlled to perform static and dynamic load tests.

[0044] This utility model embodiment uses a multi-pin connector that matches the VRTT device as an AC load connector 2016, which can directly plug and fix the VRTT device to the adapter board 201, eliminating the need for a load line, achieving the shortest connection between the VRTT device and the power module 102, and eliminating the influence of parasitic parameters caused by the load line.

[0045] Alternatively, in one implementation, such as Figure 4 As illustrated, an anti-static capacitor 2017 is provided on the circuit formed by the AC load connector 2016 and the grounding connector 2014. The capacitance of the anti-static capacitor 2017 is approximately several hundred picofarads. Exemplarily, the anti-static capacitor 2017 can be soldered onto the second surface 201b of the adapter board 201. One end of the anti-static capacitor 2017 is electrically connected to the pin of the AC load connector 2016, and the other end is electrically connected to the pin of the grounding connector 2014 through a via structure on the PCB and interlayer traces. The anti-static capacitor 2017 is a high-voltage protection capacitor specifically designed to protect the AC load connector 2016 from external static electricity, insertion / removal operations, and other interference. As one implementation, the extension direction of the anti-static capacitor 2017 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the AC load connector 2016. Multiple anti-static capacitors 2017 can be arranged at equal intervals along a direction parallel to the extension direction of the AC load connector 2016. Furthermore, the anti-static capacitor 2017 is placed close to the AC load connector 2016, which can effectively increase the reliability of the adapter board 201 and avoid accidental damage during testing.

[0046] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in order to simulate the actual operating conditions of the power supply under test as closely as possible, in this embodiment, decoupling capacitors are also provided on the first surface 201a of the adapter board 201. The number, capacitance, and placement of the decoupling capacitors are consistent with the decoupling design of a real CPU. Thus, as a component of the PDN (Power Delivery Network), when the adapter board 201 of this embodiment is used for CPU power supply testing, the adapter board 201 has the functions of PDN filtering and PDN impedance analysis.

[0047] Optionally, in one embodiment, the number of AC load connectors 2016 can be two, and the two AC load connectors 2016 extend in parallel directions. The two AC load connectors 2016 are interfaces for two different power rails.

[0048] Optionally, in one embodiment, the number of DC load connectors 2013 can be multiple, wherein a first group of DC load connectors is arranged at equal intervals along a direction parallel to the extending direction of the AC load connector 2016, and a second group of DC load connectors can be one, located near one end of the AC load connector 2016. The first group of DC load connectors and the second group of DC load connectors are interfaces for two different power rails. Generally, the current of the second power rail is smaller than that of the first power rail; therefore, the number of DC load connectors 2013 in the second group of DC load connectors is less than the number of DC load connectors 2013 in the first group of DC load connectors.

[0049] Optionally, in one embodiment, the number of grounding connectors 2014 can be multiple and the same as the number of the first group of DC load connectors 2013. The multiple grounding connectors 2014 are arranged at equal intervals along a direction parallel to the extending direction of the AC load connectors 2016. It is understood that since each grounding connector 2014 is connected to the same grounding point of the power network on the adapter plate 201, when the number of grounding connectors 2014 is small, different grounding wires can be crimped onto the same grounding connector 2014. When the number of grounding connectors 2014 is large, it is more conducive to rapid heat dissipation when a large current flows through the grounding connector 2014.

[0050] Alternatively, in one implementation, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As illustrated, the second surface 201b of the adapter board 201 in this embodiment of the present invention is further provided with an AVS connector 2018, and the first surface is further provided with pins electrically connected to the AVS connector 2018. When the test task requires AVS voltage regulation, the voltage can be controlled and regulated by using the AVS connector 2018 in conjunction with the debugging tools provided by the power module 102 manufacturer, further expanding the testing function of the conversion device in this embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Alternatively, in one implementation, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As illustrated, the second surface 201b of the adapter board 201 in this embodiment of the present invention is further provided with a PMbus connector 2019, and the first surface is further provided with pins electrically connected to the PMbus connector 2019. PMBus is a low-cost two-wire interface, an extension of the SMBus standard, which is built on the I2C protocol. Similar to SMBus, PMBus requires at least two wires for communication, including a clock signal SMBCLK and a data signal SMBDAT. These two wires allow for the configuration of power parameters and the implementation of more types of testing tasks.

[0052] Optionally, in one embodiment, the thickness of the adapter board 201 can be 3.8 mm, which is basically the same as the thickness of the CPU to be replaced (e.g., Loongson 3D6000), ensuring that after the adapter board 201 is pressed and installed in the CPU socket 101, the connectors on its second surface 201b can be properly exposed.

[0053] Alternatively, in one implementation, such as Figure 2 As shown, the aforementioned screw-type terminal block includes a solder base 20131 and a fastening screw 20132. The solder base 20131 is provided with solder leads and threaded holes. The solder base 20131 can be a convex structure made of a metal sheet by stamping and bending. The central protruding part is used to crimp and fix the load line, and the extended parts on both sides are provided with solder leads. The number of solder leads can be four. It can be soldered and fixed to the surface of the adapter board 201 by SMT (Surface Mount Technology). The central protruding part is provided with threaded holes. When connecting the load line, the load line is wound around the fastening screw 20132 and the fastening screw 20132 is tightened to fix it.

[0054] Optionally, such as Figure 5 As shown, the CPU socket 101 of this utility model embodiment includes a back plate 101a, a base 101b and a cover plate 101c. The cover plate 101c and the base 101b can be hinged by a pin. The base 101b is fixed to the front of the motherboard 10, and the back plate 101a is fixed to the back of the motherboard 10. The back plate 101a and the base 101b are fixedly connected.

[0055] The base 101b includes sockets or pins having structures corresponding to the ground contact 1011 and power contact 1012 on the motherboard 10. The backplate 101a is fixed to the base 101b around its perimeter by screws.

[0056] like Figure 6 As shown, when the cover plate 101c is rotated to the open position relative to the base 101b, the adapter plate 201 can be inserted into the base 101b. Then, the cover plate 101c is rotated to the closed position relative to the base 101b, and the cover plate 101c and the base 101b are fastened and locked together. This clamps and fixes the adapter plate 201, ensuring that the pins of the adapter plate 201 make tight contact with the contacts on the main board 10, preventing poor contact. The fastening and locking of the cover plate 101c and the base 101b can be achieved using a snap-fit ​​structure between the cover plate 101c and the base 101b. Alternatively, a pressure plate 101d, located on the opposite side of the cover plate 101c and connected to the base 101b, can be used. When the cover plate 101c is rotated to the closed position, the pressure plate 101d is rotated and pressed down, thus securing it to the base 101b through the snap-fit ​​interface.

[0057] The adapter plate 201 has structural semi-circular notches on both sides of the upper part in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the AC load connector 2016 to prevent reverse insertion.

[0058] This embodiment of the invention also provides a power supply testing system, which includes any of the aforementioned adapter devices 20. It is understood that the power supply testing system may also include a DC electronic load device used in conjunction with the adapter device 20. When AC load characteristic testing is required, it may also include an AC electronic load device, such as the VRTT device described in the preceding embodiments. Furthermore, the power supply testing system may also include an oscilloscope, which, by electrically connecting the oscilloscope to the back of the motherboard under test, captures the signal from the power module 102 to output voltage ripple.

[0059] Optionally, in one embodiment, the CPU in the CPU socket 101 on the motherboard 10 is replaced with an adapter board 201. A DC load connector 2013 on the adapter board 201 and a DC electronic load device are connected using a load cable. The VRTT device is inserted into the AC load connector 2016 on the adapter board 201. A host computer is connected to the VRTT device, and the host computer software is opened to configure the test parameters. The motherboard 10 is powered on, and the test begins. The host computer controls the response speed of the VRTT device to load the test power module 102 and monitors the status of the power module 102. Therefore, the CPU power supply test system of this embodiment may also include a host computer, such as a personal computer (PC).

[0060] Based on the advantages of the adapter 20, the power supply testing system of this utility model embodiment can also output more accurate test results.

[0061] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0062] Those skilled in the art will understand that although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art, once they learn the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0063] Finally, it should be noted that in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or terminal device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or terminal device. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or terminal device that includes said element.

[0064] The above provides a detailed description of the adapter and power testing system provided by this utility model. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principle and implementation of this utility model. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core idea of ​​this utility model. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation and application scope based on the idea of ​​this utility model. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

Claims

1. An adapter for testing the CPU power supply in a motherboard, the motherboard (10) including a power module (102), a ground contact (1011) disposed on the front of the motherboard, and power contacts (1012) of different types, wherein the ground contact (1011) and the power contacts (1012) are electrically connected to the power module (102), characterized in that, The adapter (20) is connected between the power module (102) and the DC electronic load device during testing; The adapter includes an adapter plate (201), which includes a first surface (201a) and a second surface (201b) that are parallel to each other. The first surface (201a) is provided with a DC power pin (2011) corresponding to a certain type of power contact (1012) and a ground pin (2012) corresponding to the ground contact (1011). The second surface (201b) is provided with a DC load connector (2013) and a ground connector (2014). The DC load connector (2013) is electrically connected to the DC power pin (2011), and the ground connector (2014) is electrically connected to the ground pin (2012). The DC load connector (2013) is a screw-type terminal block used for crimping and fixing the load line that is electrically connected to the DC electronic load device.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The grounding connector (2014) is a screw-type terminal block used for crimping and fixing the grounding wire that is electrically connected to the DC electronic load device.

3. The adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The screw-type terminal block includes a welding base and a fastening screw; The welding base is provided with welding pins and threaded holes. The welding base is fixed to the adapter plate (201) by welding pins. The fastening screw is threadedly connected to the threaded hole to fix the load line.

4. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first surface (201a) is also provided with an AC power pin (2015) corresponding to another type of power contact (1012), and the second surface (201b) is provided with an AC pull-load connector (2016) electrically connected to the AC power pin (2015). The AC pull-load connector (2016) is a multi-pin connector that matches the VRTT device and is used to plug into the VRTT device.

5. The adapter according to claim 4, characterized in that, An antistatic capacitor (2017) is provided on the circuit formed by the AC load connector (2016) and the grounding connector (2014).

6. The adapter according to claim 5, characterized in that, The antistatic capacitor (2017) is arranged close to the AC load connector (2016).

7. The adapter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The number of AC load connectors (2016) is two, and the two AC load connectors (2016) extend in parallel directions. The two AC load connectors (2016) are interfaces for two different power rails.

8. The adapter according to claim 4 or 7, characterized in that, The number of DC load connectors (2013) is multiple. The first group of DC load connectors are arranged at equal intervals along a direction parallel to the extension direction of the AC load connector (2016). The second group of DC load connectors is close to one end of the AC load connector (2016). The first group of DC load connectors and the second group of DC load connectors are interfaces for two different power rails.

9. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second surface (201b) is also provided with an AVS connector (2018), and the first surface (201a) is also provided with pins that are electrically connected to the AVS connector (2018).

10. The adapter according to claim 1 or 9, characterized in that, The second surface (201b) is also provided with a PMbus connector (2019), and the first surface (201a) is also provided with pins that are electrically connected to the PMbus connector (2019).

11. A power supply testing system, characterized in that, The power supply testing system includes the adapter as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, and further includes a DC electronic load device used in conjunction with the adapter.

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