Computer host and power control method therefor

Abstract

To provide a computer host comprising a motherboard and a power supply device.SOLUTION: A power supply device supplies power to a motherboard through a first power supply cable, supplies power to a graphic card through a second power supply cable, and includes a rectifier and a feedback control unit. The rectifier controls the power supply device to generate output power based on a feedback signal. The feedback control unit has first and second feedback input terminals, the first feedback input terminal is electrically coupled to the first power cable to receive a first detection voltage and the second feedback input terminal is electrically coupled to the second power cable to receive a second detection voltage. The feedback control unit generates a feedback signal based on an electrical coupling state between the power supply device and the graphic card and selectively based on the first detection voltage or the second detection voltage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to power management technology, and more particularly to a computer host and a method for controlling power therefor. [Background technology]

[0002] A computer host power supply is used to convert commercial power (typically 100V to 250V AC) into DC voltage for use with the motherboard and other computer components such as graphics cards, processors, hard disks, fans, etc. In recent years, with the increasing performance of graphics cards, many power supplies have been equipped with dedicated power cables to supply power to the graphics cards. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, conventional power supplies rely on feedback signals from the motherboard for control, and when the power consumption of the graphics card increases and exceeds that of the motherboard, the feedback control method can easily cause problems such as poor voltage stability for the graphics card, which can affect the stability of the entire computer system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] A computer host according to the present invention can accommodate a graphics card. The computer host includes a motherboard and a power supply. The motherboard has a graphics card slot for inserting the graphics card. The power supply supplies power to the motherboard via a first power cable and to the graphics card via a second power cable, and includes a rectifier and a feedback control unit. The rectifier controls the power supply to generate output power based on a feedback signal. The feedback control unit has a first feedback input terminal and a second feedback input terminal, the first feedback input terminal electrically coupled to the first power cable to receive a first detection voltage, and the second feedback input terminal electrically coupled to the second power cable to receive a second detection voltage. The feedback control unit selectively generates a feedback signal based on the first detection voltage or the second detection voltage depending on the electrical connection state between the power supply and the graphics card.

[0005] The present invention also provides a power control method applicable to a computer host. The computer host includes a motherboard and a power supply. The motherboard has a graphics card slot for inserting a graphics card. The power supply supplies power to the motherboard through a first power cable and to the graphics card through a second power cable, and includes a rectifier element and a feedback control unit. The rectifier element controls the power supply to generate output power based on a feedback signal. The feedback control unit has a first feedback input terminal and a second feedback input terminal, the first feedback input terminal being electrically coupled to the first power cable to receive a first detection voltage, and the second feedback input terminal being electrically coupled to the second power cable to receive a second detection voltage. The power control method includes determining whether the second power cable is electrically coupled to the graphics card, generating a feedback signal based on the second detection voltage if it is determined that the second power cable is electrically coupled to the graphics card, and generating a feedback signal based on the first detection voltage if it is determined that the second power cable is not electrically coupled to the graphics card. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] In the computer host and power control method according to the present invention, the feedback control unit of the power supply device determines whether to generate a feedback signal based on the first detection voltage or the second detection voltage depending on whether the power supply device is electrically coupled to the graphics card, thereby improving the problems of poor voltage stability of the graphics card and poor stability of the computer system that are often encountered in conventional control methods. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1A-1B] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer host according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second power cable according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a feedback control unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a feedback control unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A-5B] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer host according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 3 is a flowchart of a power control method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart of a power control method according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and claims. The drawings are in a highly simplified form and not to scale, and are used only for the convenience and clarity of illustrating the embodiments of the present invention.

[0009] 1A and 1B are block diagrams of a computer host 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a graphics card 200 can be installed.

[0010] As shown in the figure, the computer host 100 includes a motherboard 120 and a power supply 140. The motherboard 120 has a graphics card slot 122 for inserting a graphics card 200. In one embodiment, the graphics card 200 is a PCIE graphics card. The graphics card slot 122 on the motherboard 120 is a PCIE slot.

[0011] The power supply 140 supplies power to the motherboard 120 through a first power cable PL1 and to the graphics card 200 through a second power cable PL2. In one embodiment, the first power cable PL1 is a 24-pin power cable commonly used by the motherboard 120, and the second power cable PL2 is a PCIE power cable. A detection line DL1 is connected between the power supply 140 and the motherboard 120, and a detection line DL2 is connected between the power supply 140 and the graphics card. These detection lines DL1 and DL2 are electrically coupled to the first power cable PL1 and the second power cable PL2, and are used to generate a first detection voltage V1 and a second detection voltage V2, respectively.

[0012] The power supply 140 includes a rectifying device 142 and a feedback control unit 144. The rectifying device 142 controls the power supply 140 to generate output power according to a feedback signal FB. In one embodiment, the rectifying device 142 may be a switching rectifier, and the feedback signal FB may be a feedback voltage signal. The switching rectifier adjusts the conduction state of the switching device based on the voltage level of the feedback voltage signal to adjust the output power of the power supply 140. In one embodiment, the feedback signal FB compensates by adjusting the output current of the power supply 140.

[0013] The feedback control unit 144 includes a first feedback input terminal 1442, a second feedback input terminal 1444, and a feedback output terminal 1446. The first feedback input terminal 1442 is electrically coupled to the first power cable PL1 to receive the first detection voltage V1, and the second feedback input terminal 1444 is electrically coupled to the second power cable PL2 to receive the second detection voltage V1.

[0014] The feedback control unit 144 selectively generates a feedback signal FB based on the first detection voltage V1 or the second detection voltage according to the electrical connection state between the power supply device 140 and the graphics card 200, specifically, the electrical connection state between the second power cable PL2 and the graphics card 200, and supplies the feedback signal FB to the rectifier element 142 via the feedback output terminal 1446.

[0015] 1A, when the feedback control unit 144 simultaneously detects the first detection voltage V1 and the second detection voltage V2, which are both high, the feedback control unit 144 determines whether the first power cable PL1 and the second power cable PL2 are properly connected to the motherboard 120 and the graphics card 200, respectively, and whether they are supplying power. At this time, the feedback control unit 144 generates a feedback signal FB based on the second detection voltage V2 and supplies it to the rectifying element 142.

[0016] 1B, when the detection line DL2 corresponding to the second power cable PL2 is not connected to the graphics card 200 and the power supply device 140, the feedback control unit 144 detects only the high first detection voltage V1 but not the second detection voltage V2. In this case, the feedback control unit 144 generates a feedback signal FB based on the first detection voltage V1 and supplies it to the rectifier element 142. This situation may also occur when the graphics card 140 is not installed or the second power cable PL2 is not connected to the graphics card 140.

[0017] In one embodiment, the feedback control unit 144 may include a multiplexer. The multiplexer may generate a feedback signal FB based on the first detection voltage V1 or the second detection voltage V2 selectively based on a selection signal. The potential of the selection signal may correspond to the potential of the second feedback input terminal 1444. That is, the second detection voltage V2 may be the selection signal.

[0018] Specifically, the first detection voltage V1 and the second detection voltage V2 may be input to a multiplexer. When the selection signal (or the second detection voltage V2) is at a high potential, it means that the graphics card 200 is electrically coupled to the power supply 140 via the second power cable PL2. The multiplexer generates a high-potential output signal to instruct the feedback control unit 144 to select the second detection voltage V2 as the feedback signal FB. Conversely, when the selection signal (or the second detection voltage V2) is at a low potential, it means that the graphics card 200 is not electrically coupled to the power supply 140. In this case, the multiplexer generates a low-potential output signal to instruct the feedback control unit 144 to select the first detection voltage V1 as the feedback signal FB.

[0019] Reference is also made to FIG. 2, which is a schematic diagram of a second power cable PL2 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] In one embodiment, as shown in the figure, the second power cable PL2 includes a first connector CON1 and a second connector CON2 electrically coupled to power connectors (not shown) on the power supply 140 and the graphics card 200, respectively. The second power cable PL2 also includes a detection line DL2. The detection line DL2 includes a high-voltage signal line HL and a low-voltage signal line LL. The high-voltage signal line HL has one end electrically coupled to the power supply contact N1 of the second connector CON2 and the other end to a signal output terminal N2. The low-voltage signal line LL has one end electrically coupled to the ground contact N3 of the second connector CON2 and the other end to a ground output terminal N4. The potential difference between the signal output terminal N2 and the ground output terminal N4 corresponds to a second detection voltage V2. The second feedback input terminal N2 of the feedback control unit 144 is electrically coupled to the signal output terminal N2 and the ground output terminal N4 to receive the second detection voltage V2.

[0021] Please also refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of a feedback control unit 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The feedback control unit 300 performs control in a digital manner.

[0022] In one embodiment, the feedback control unit 300 comprises a voltage divider resistor 320 and a control circuit 340 .

[0023] The voltage dividing resistor 320 is connected in series between the signal output terminal N2 of the detection line DL2 and the ground output terminal N4, and has a voltage dividing output terminal N5.

[0024] The control circuit 340 has a detection pin PD electrically coupled to the voltage-divided output terminal N5. The control circuit 340 selectively generates a feedback signal FB based on a first detection voltage V1 or a second detection voltage V2 according to a voltage-divided level VD received by the voltage-divided output terminal N5. In one embodiment, the control circuit 340 may be an LLC controller. In one embodiment, the voltage-divided level VD may be the second detection voltage V2.

[0025] When the graphics card 200 is electrically connected to the power supply device 140 via the second power cable PL2, the control circuit 340 determines that the divided voltage level VD detected by the detection pin PD is a high-potential signal, which means that feedback compensation needs to be performed based on the second detected voltage V2. Conversely, when the graphics card 200 is not electrically connected to the power supply device 140 via the second power cable PL2, the control circuit 340 determines that the divided voltage level VD detected by the detection pin PD is a low-potential signal, which means that feedback compensation should not be performed based on the second detected voltage V2. In this case, the control circuit 340 changes to perform feedback compensation based on the first detected voltage V1.

[0026] Please also refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of a feedback control unit 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The feedback control unit 400 performs control by switching an analog switch.

[0027] As shown in the figure, the feedback control unit 400 has a first feedback input terminal P1, a second feedback input terminal P2, and a feedback output terminal P3. The first feedback input terminal P1 is electrically coupled to a first power cable PL1 to receive a first detection voltage V1, which is simultaneously input to an enable pin EN of the feedback control unit 400. The second feedback input terminal P2 is electrically coupled to a second power cable PL2 to receive a second detection voltage V2, which is simultaneously input to a select pin SEL of the feedback control unit 400.

[0028] When the signals received by the enable pin EN and the select pin SEL are both high potential, the feedback control unit 400 selects the second detection voltage V2 and generates the feedback signal FB at the feedback output terminal P3 based on the second detection voltage V2. Conversely, when only the signal received by the enable pin EN is high potential and the signal received by the select pin SEL is low potential, the feedback control unit 400 generates the feedback signal FB at the feedback output terminal P3 based on the first detection voltage V1.

[0029] 5A and 5B are block schematic diagrams of a computer host 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Compared with the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the feedback control unit 544 of the power supply device 540 of this embodiment checks the electrical coupling status between the second power cable PL2′ and the graphics card 200 by using a sideband signal on the second power cable PL2′, and there is no need to use the second power cable PL2 having an additional detection line DL2 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0031] In the figure, a detection line DL1 is connected between the power supply device 540 and the motherboard 520. The detection line DL1 is electrically coupled to the first power cable PL1.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5A, when the first power cable PL1 and the second power cable PL2′ are properly connected to the motherboard 520 and the graphics card 200 to supply power, respectively, the feedback control unit 544 of the power supply device 540 determines that the second power cable PL2′ is connected to the graphics card 200 through the sideband signal transmitted on the second power cable PL2′, and then selects to generate a feedback signal FB based on the second detected voltage V2 and supply the feedback signal FB to the rectifier element 542 for compensation.

[0033] Conversely, as shown in FIG. 5B , when only the first power cable PL1 is connected to the motherboard 520 to supply power, the feedback control unit 544 determines that the second power cable PL2′ is not connected to the graphics card 200 by detecting the sideband signal, and changes the feedback signal FB to select to generate and compensate based on the first detected voltage V1.

[0034] 6 is a flowchart of a power control method according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to the computer hosts 100 and 500 shown in FIGS. 1A and 5A and includes the following steps:

[0035] First, as shown in judgment step S620, it is determined whether the second power cable PL2 is electrically coupled to the graphics card 200. This judgment step can be achieved, for example, by the detection methods described in the respective embodiments of FIGS. 1A to 5B.

[0036] In the judgment step S620, if it is determined that the second power cable PL2 is electrically coupled to the graphics card 200, as shown in step S640, a feedback signal FB is generated based on the second detected voltage V2, and the rectifying element 142 is then controlled to generate an output power corresponding to the second detected voltage V2.

[0037] Conversely, if it is determined in the judgment step S620 that the second power cable PL2 is not electrically coupled to the graphics card 200, then, as shown in step S660, a feedback signal FB is generated based on the first detected voltage V1, and the rectifying element 142 is controlled to generate an output power corresponding to the first detected voltage V1.

[0038] 7 is a flowchart of a power control method according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to the computer host 100 shown in FIG. 1A and includes the following steps:

[0039] First, as shown in decision step S720, it is determined whether the second detection voltage V2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage value. This decision step can be achieved, for example, by the detection method described in each of the embodiments shown in Figures 1A to 4.

[0040] In one embodiment, the magnitude of the predetermined voltage value corresponds to the proportional relationship between the second detection voltage V2 and the output voltage of the power supply 140. For example, if the output voltage of the power supply 140 is 12V, and the second detection voltage V2 is generated by reducing the output voltage to 3 / 13 of its original value using a voltage divider resistor, the predetermined voltage value can be set to 3V.

[0041] If the first detection voltage V1 and the second detection voltage V2 are both greater than the predetermined voltage value, it means that the second power line PL2 is properly electrically coupled to the graphics card 200. At this time, the process proceeds to step S740, where a feedback signal FB is generated based on the second detection voltage V2, and the rectifier element 142 is then controlled to generate an output power corresponding to the second detection voltage V2.

[0042] Conversely, if the second detection voltage V2 is smaller than the predetermined voltage value, it means that the second power line PL2 is not electrically coupled to the graphics card 200. At this time, the process proceeds to step S760, where a feedback signal FB is generated based on the first detection voltage V1, and the rectifying element 142 is then controlled to generate an output power corresponding to the first detection voltage V1.

[0043] In the computer host and power control method according to the present invention, the feedback control unit 144, 544 of the power supply 140, 540 determines whether to generate the feedback signal FB based on the first detection voltage V1 or the second detection voltage V2, depending on whether the power supply 140, 540 is electrically coupled to the graphics card 200. This improves the problems of poor voltage stability of the graphics card 200 and poor stability of the computer system that are often encountered in the conventional control method.

[0044] The above content is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make any equivalent substitutions or modifications to the technical means and technical content disclosed in the present invention without departing from the scope of the technical means of the present invention, and all of them fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0045] (Explanation of symbols) 100, 500 computer hosts 120, 520 motherboard 122 graphics card slot 140, 540 power supply equipment 142, 542 Rectifying element 144, 300, 400, 544 Feedback control unit 200 graphics cards PL1 First Power Cable PL2, PL2' Second power cable DL1, DL2 detection lines 1442, P1 First feedback input terminal 1444, P2 Second feedback input terminal 1446, P3 feedback output terminal FB Feedback signal V1 First detection voltage V2 Second detection voltage CON1 First Connector CON2 Second Connector HL High voltage signal line LL Low voltage signal line N1 power contact N2 signal output terminal N3 ground contact N4 Ground output terminal 320 Voltage dividing resistor 340 Control Circuit N5 Voltage divider output terminal PD detection pin VD partial voltage level EN Enable pin SEL Select pin S620, S640, S660, S720, S740, S760 Step

Claims

1. A computer host to which a graphics card is attached, comprising: a motherboard having a graphics card slot for inserting the graphics card; a power supply device that supplies power to the motherboard through a first power cable and to the graphics card through a second power cable; the power supply device includes a rectifier for controlling the power supply device based on a feedback signal to generate output power, and a feedback control unit; the feedback control unit has a first feedback input terminal and a second feedback input terminal, the first feedback input terminal is electrically coupled to a first power cable to receive a first detection voltage, and the second feedback input terminal is electrically coupled to a second power cable to receive a second detection voltage, and the feedback control unit selectively generates the feedback signal based on the first detection voltage or the second detection voltage according to an electrical coupling state between the power supply device and the graphics card.

2. 2. The computer host of claim 1, wherein the graphics card slot is a PCIE slot.

3. 2. The computer host of claim 1, wherein the second power cable is a PCIE power cable.

4. 4. The computer host of claim 3, wherein the feedback control unit detects a sideband signal on the second power cable to determine the electrical coupling status between the second power cable and the graphics card.

5. 2. The computer host of claim 1, wherein when the second detection voltages are both equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage value, it indicates that the power supply device and the graphics card are properly electrically connected, and the feedback control unit generates the feedback signal based on the second detection voltages.

6. 2. The computer host of claim 1, wherein if the second detection voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage value, it means that the power supply device and the graphics card are not electrically coupled, and the feedback control unit generates the feedback signal based on the first detection voltage.

7. 2. The computer host of claim 1, wherein the second power cable includes a detection line, the detection line includes a high-voltage output terminal and a ground output terminal, and the second feedback input terminal is electrically coupled to the high-voltage output terminal and the ground output terminal to receive the second detection voltage.

8. 8. The computer host of claim 7, wherein the feedback control unit includes a voltage dividing resistor and a control circuit, the voltage dividing resistor being connected in series between the high-voltage output terminal and the ground output terminal and having a voltage dividing output terminal, the control circuit being electrically coupled to the voltage dividing output terminal and selectively generating the feedback signal based on the first detection voltage or the second detection voltage according to a voltage dividing level received by the voltage dividing output terminal.

9. 2. The computer host according to claim 1, wherein the feedback control unit selectively generates the feedback signal based on the first detection voltage or the second detection voltage according to an electrical coupling state between the second power cable and the graphics card.

10. 1. A power control method applied to a computer host, comprising: The computer host includes a motherboard having a graphics card slot for inserting a graphics card; and a power supply device for supplying power to the motherboard through a first power cable and to the graphics card through a second power cable, the power supply device including a rectifying element for controlling the power supply device to generate output power based on a feedback signal; and a feedback control unit, the feedback control unit having a first feedback input terminal and a second feedback input terminal, the first feedback input terminal electrically coupled to the first power cable for receiving a first detection voltage, and the second feedback input terminal electrically coupled to the second power cable for receiving a second detection voltage; The power control method includes determining whether the second power cable is electrically coupled to the graphics card; generating the feedback signal based on the second detected voltage when it is determined that the second power cable is electrically coupled to the graphics card; and generating the feedback signal based on the first detected voltage when it is determined that the second power cable is not electrically coupled to the graphics card.

11. 11. The power control method according to claim 10, wherein the graphics card slot is a PCIE slot, and the second power cable is a PCIE power supply cable.

12. 11. The power control method according to claim 10, wherein when the second detected voltages are both equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage value, the feedback signal is generated based on the second detected voltages.

13. 11. The power control method according to claim 10, wherein the feedback signal is generated based on the first detected voltage when the second detected voltage is smaller than a predetermined voltage value.

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