Control device capable of soft-starting optical module, and system main board capable of soft-starting optical module

Abstract

To provide a control device capable of soft starting an optical module, capable of suppressing the influence of an inrush current generated when an optical module is connected, and a system main board capable of soft starting an optical module. [Solution] When the control device 3 receives a connection signal indicating that the optical module 9 is connected, after a predetermined delay time has elapsed, it outputs a drive signal to control the switch unit 31 at the control terminal section, thereby switching the switch unit 31 from a non-connected state to a connected state and outputting a drive current to the optical module 9 to start the optical module 9, thereby solving the problem of the optical module 9 breaking down or having its service life shortened due to the inrush current generated the moment the optical module 9 is connected.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an interface device, and more particularly to an interface device that is used in an optical module and enables soft start of the optical module. [Background technology]

[0002] As examples of conventional interface devices connected to optical modules, the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 can be given.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 1, such a conventional interface device has a plurality of connection terminals 8 to which a plurality of optical modules 9 are respectively connected, and a power conversion circuit 7 for providing operating power (e.g., 3.3 V) to each of the connected optical modules 9. However, there is a problem that the optical module 9 may break down or its service life may be shortened due to an inrush current that occurs the moment the optical module 9 is connected to the connection terminal 8. In addition, if a low resistance such as a short circuit occurs due to an abnormality in one of the optical modules 9 that are connected simultaneously, the short circuit may occur in conjunction with the electricity provided by the power conversion circuit 7, which may cause the other optical modules 9 to not operate normally. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Patent No. 107391414B Specification [Patent Document 2] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 117834017A [Patent Document 3] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 118300703A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a control device capable of soft starting an optical module, which can suppress the effects of inrush current and the effects on other optical modules even if an abnormality occurs in one of multiple connected optical modules, and a system main board capable of soft starting an optical module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a control device that is electrically connected to a power conversion circuit and an optical module, and is used to provide a drive current output from the power conversion circuit to the optical module, and that is capable of soft starting the optical module, comprising: a switch unit that is used to be electrically connected between the power conversion circuit and the optical module and that can be switched between a connection state in which the power conversion circuit and the optical module are electrically connected and a non-connection state in which they are not electrically connected; a control circuit; the control circuit has a first terminal portion for electrically connecting to the optical module and a control terminal portion electrically connected to the switch unit, The control circuit receives a connection signal indicating whether the optical module is connected at the first terminal portion, and upon receiving the connection signal, outputs a drive signal that controls the switch unit at the control terminal portion after a predetermined delay time has elapsed, thereby switching the switch unit from the non-connected state to the connected state and outputting the drive current to the optical module to start up the optical module. The present invention also provides a system main board that is connected to at least one optical module to enable soft start of the optical module, comprising: At least one connection interface device to which the optical module is connected; a power conversion circuit that outputs a driving current to the at least one connection interface device; a control device disposed between the at least one connection interface device and the power conversion circuit; the control device includes a switch unit that is used to be electrically connected between the power conversion circuit and the optical module and that can switch between a connection state in which the power conversion circuit and the optical module are electrically connected and a non-connection state in which they are not electrically connected, and a control circuit; the control circuit has a first terminal portion for electrically connecting to the optical module and a control terminal portion electrically connected to the switch unit, The control circuit is configured to receive a connection signal indicating whether the optical module is connected at the first terminal portion, and upon receiving the connection signal indicating that the optical module is connected, output a drive signal that controls the switch unit at the control terminal portion after a predetermined delay time has elapsed, thereby switching the switch unit from the non-connected state to the connected state and outputting the drive current to the optical module, thereby starting up the optical module, and also provides a system main board. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The control device of the present invention is configured such that, when it receives a connection signal indicating that an optical module is connected, after a predetermined delay time has elapsed, it outputs a drive signal to control the switch unit at the control terminal section, thereby switching the switch unit from a non-connected state to a connected state and outputting a drive current to the optical module to start the optical module, thereby solving the problem of the optical module breaking down or having its service life shortened due to the inrush current generated at the moment the optical module is connected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional interface device connected to an optical module. [Figure 2]1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a system main board capable of soft starting an optical module of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a control device capable of soft starting an optical module according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a control circuit used in a control device capable of soft starting an optical module of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a detection circuit in a control device capable of soft starting an optical module according to the present invention; [Figure 6] 10 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a detection circuit in a control device capable of soft starting an optical module of the present invention has a first capacitor. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a detection circuit in a control device capable of soft starting an optical module of the present invention has a second capacitor. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a detection circuit in a control device capable of soft starting an optical module of the present invention has both a first capacitor and a second capacitor. [Figure 9] 10 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a thyristor is used in a detection circuit in a control device capable of soft starting an optical module of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In order to more clearly describe the objectives, technical means, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will clearly and in detail describe the technical means in the embodiments of the present invention in combination with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. It should be apparent that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention depicted and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided below in the accompanying drawings does not constitute any limitation on the protection scope of the present invention, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be noted that in the following description, elements that perform the same role or function are designated by the same numerals even if they do not have exactly the same configuration.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, an embodiment of a system main board 10 capable of soft starting an optical module of the present invention is suitable for connecting multiple optical modules 9, and includes a power conversion circuit 1, multiple connection interface devices 2, and a control device 3 disposed in each connection interface device 2.

[0012] The power conversion circuit 1 is used to provide a driving current to each connection interface device 2 as the power required for the optical module 9 connected to each connection interface device 2 to operate.

[0013] Each connection interface device 2 is used to connect one optical module 9, and when the optical module 9 is connected to the connection interface device 2, the connection interface device 2 acquires specification information from the connected optical module 9. In this embodiment, the connection interface device 2 is an Inter-Integrated Circuit Bus (I-SCB) 2 The optical module 9 is connected to the optical fiber optic cable 100 using the IEEE 802.11b / g (C bus) technology, and the specification information is obtained from the optical fiber optic cable 100 using the Digital Diagnostic Monitoring (DDM) technology. The specification information here includes data on the operating temperature and power level of the optical fiber optic cable 100 connected to the optical fiber optic cable 100.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, each control device 3 is configured to include a switch unit 31, a control circuit 32, a pull-up resistor 33, a detection circuit 34, and an adjustment circuit 35.

[0015] The switch unit 31 is used to be electrically connected between the power conversion circuit 1 and the optical module 9, and can switch between a connection state in which the power conversion circuit 1 is electrically connected to the optical module 9 connected to the corresponding connection interface device 2, and a non-connection state in which they are not electrically connected. In this embodiment, a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) is used as the switch unit 31, and has a gate terminal electrically connected to the control circuit 32 to receive a drive signal, a source terminal electrically connected to the power conversion circuit 1, and a drain terminal electrically connected to the optical module 9. Note that the switch unit 31 in the present invention does not necessarily have to be a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor, and for example, a bipolar transistor or the like can also be used.

[0016] The control circuit 32 has a first terminal portion for electrically connecting to the optical module 9, a control terminal portion electrically connected to the switch unit 31, and a second terminal portion electrically connected to the detection circuit 34.

[0017] 4, the control circuit 32 in this embodiment includes a first transistor 321 and a second transistor 322. The first transistor 321 has a base terminal electrically connected to the first terminal portion, a collector terminal, and an emitter terminal connected to ground, and is configured to be switchable between an on state and an off state. The second transistor 322 has a base terminal electrically connected to the collector terminal of the first transistor 321, a collector terminal electrically connected to the gate terminal of the switch unit 31, and an emitter terminal connected to ground, and is configured to be switchable between an on state and an off state. Note that in other embodiments of the present invention, the first transistor 321 and the second transistor 322 in the control circuit 32 can be realized by, for example, metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), a combination of a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) and a bipolar transistor (BJT), or other circuits that can achieve equivalent effects.

[0018] The pull-up resistor 33 is electrically connected between the first terminal of the control circuit 32 and the power conversion circuit 1, and is used to pull up the potential at the first terminal to a high level.

[0019] The detection circuit 34 is electrically connected between the switch unit 31 and the optical module 9 and is used to receive a first reference voltage corresponding to the power level of the optical module 9 and a second reference voltage indicating the magnitude of the drive current output to the optical module 9, and is configured to generate a comparison signal indicating whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the drive current output to the optical module 9 based on the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage, and output the comparison signal to a second terminal portion of the control circuit 32.

[0020] 5, in this embodiment, the detection circuit 34 includes a current detector 341, a first comparator 342, and a second comparator 343. The current detector 341 has both ends electrically connected to the switch unit 31 and the optical module 9, respectively, and is used to detect the current intensity of the driving current between the switch unit 31 and the optical module 9. In this embodiment, a resistor is used as the current detector 341, but this is not limiting. The first comparator 342 has two input terminals and an output terminal respectively connected to both ends of the current detector 341, and is configured to generate and output a second reference voltage based on the voltage difference between the two ends of the current detector 341. The second comparator 343 has a first input terminal electrically connected to the output terminal of the first comparator 342 to receive the second reference voltage, a second input terminal used to receive the first reference voltage, and an output terminal electrically connected to the control circuit 32, and is configured to output a comparison signal from the output terminal to the control circuit 32 based on the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage.

[0021] The adjustment circuit 35 is electrically connected to the second input terminal of the second comparator 343 of the detection circuit 34, and is used to output a first reference voltage to the second comparator 343. Here, the adjustment circuit 35 generates the first reference voltage based on a system setting value received from the system main board 10, and this system setting value is generated based on specification information obtained from the optical module 9 to which the connection interface device 2 of the system main board 10 is connected. In this embodiment, the adjustment circuit 35 is a non-inverting adder circuit composed of an operational amplifier, and is realized by setting the potential of the input pin of the non-inverting adder circuit based on the system setting value. Meanwhile, in other embodiments, the adjustment circuit 35 can be composed of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), but is not limited to this.

[0022] During operation of the present invention, when an optical module 9 is connected to any one of the connection interface devices 2, the control circuit 32 of the control device 3 in the connection interface device 2 to which the optical module 9 is connected receives a connection signal at the first terminal section indicating whether the optical module 9 is securely connected, and upon receiving the connection signal indicating that the optical module 9 is securely connected, after a predetermined delay time has elapsed, outputs a drive signal at the control terminal section to control the switch unit 31, thereby switching the switch unit 31 from a non-connected state to a connected state and outputting a drive current to the optical module 9 to start up the optical module 9.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the drive signal transitions from high level to low level, the switch unit 31 switches from a non-connected state to a connected state. The switch unit 31 can be configured with a PMOS logic circuit or a component capable of performing an equivalent function. In another embodiment, the switch unit 31 can be configured to switch from a non-connected state to a connected state when the drive signal transitions from low level to high level. In this case, the switch unit 31 can be configured with an NMOS logic circuit or a component capable of performing an equivalent function. Furthermore, the drive signal can be set to a specific signal pattern composed of a combination of high and low level voltages. In this case, a chip capable of specifying such a specific signal pattern can be used as the switch unit 31.

[0024] Incidentally, the high and low levels of the drive signal indicate a change in voltage, but it is also possible to use a difference in current to create a drive signal.

[0025] When the connection signal is high, indicating that the optical module 9 is not connected, the first transistor 321 of the control circuit 32 is turned on and the second transistor 322 is turned off, thereby setting the switch unit 31 to a non-connected state. When the optical module 9 is connected, the connection signal indicating that the optical module 9 is connected is low, and therefore the voltage at the base terminal of the first transistor 321 of the control circuit 32 is set to a low level, turning the first transistor 321 off. This increases the voltage at the base terminal of the second transistor 322, turning it on. This switches the switch unit 31 to a connected state, allowing the drive current from the power conversion circuit 1 to be output to the optical module 9. The delay time is based on the sum of the time required to switch the first transistor 321 from an on state to an off state and the time required to switch the second transistor 322 from an off state to an on state.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6, an example of the configuration of the detection circuit 34 may include only a first capacitor 323 connected to the first transistor 321, with one end of the first capacitor 323 connected to the base terminal of the first transistor 321 and the other end grounded, thereby adjusting the time required to switch the first transistor 321 from an off state to an on state.

[0027] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the detection circuit 34 may have only a second capacitor 324 connected to the second transistor 322, with one end of the second capacitor 324 connected to the base terminal of the second transistor 322 and the other end grounded. This allows the time required to switch the second transistor 322 from an off state to an on state to be adjusted.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, an example configuration of the detection circuit 34 may include both a first capacitor 323 connected to the first transistor 321 and a second capacitor 324 connected to the second transistor 322, with one end of the first capacitor 323 connected to the base terminal of the first transistor 321 and the other end grounded, and one end of the second capacitor 324 connected to the base terminal of the second transistor 322 and the other end grounded, thereby adjusting the time required to switch the first transistor 321 and the second transistor 322 from the off state to the on state. The first capacitor 323 and the second capacitor 324 may be capacitors having the same configuration (same capacitance) or different configurations (different capacitance), and may be designed appropriately to appropriately adjust the time required for the first transistor 321 and / or the second transistor 322 to switch from an off state to an on state.

[0029] When one of the optical modules 9 is connected to each connection interface device 2 and the drive current from the power conversion circuit 1 is output to the connected optical module 9 via the connection interface device 2, the detection circuit 34 of the control device 3 in the optical module 9 generates and outputs a comparison signal indicating whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the drive current output to the optical module 9 based on the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage. When this comparison signal indicates an abnormality has occurred in the drive current (i.e., in this embodiment, when the second reference voltage is greater than the first reference voltage), the control circuit 32 controls the switch unit 31 to switch to the disconnected state based on this comparison signal to avoid an operational abnormality of the optical module 9 (e.g., an increase in current due to a short circuit). In this embodiment, the control circuit 32 can switch the switch unit 31 to the disconnected state by changing the potential at the base terminal of the second transistor 322. Specifically, for example, a thyristor is interposed between the base terminal of the second transistor 322 and ground, and the potential at the base terminal of the second transistor 322 can be changed by switching the current in the thyristor between the on state and the off state based on the comparison signal.

[0030] For example, as shown in the modified example in FIG. 9, the thyristor 329 of the control circuit 32 is electrically connected between the base terminal of the second transistor 322 and the ground, and has a gate terminal that receives a comparison signal. When the received comparison signal indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the drive current, the thyristor 329 switches the second transistor 322 to the off state, and the switch unit 31 is also switched to the disconnected state.

[0031] In another configuration example, the system main board 10 can also adjust the drive current provided to each optical module 9 connected to each connection interface device 2, for example, to save power. Specifically, the control circuit 32 of the control device 3 in some connection interface devices 2 can switch the switch unit 31 to a non-connected state depending on the situation, such as power saving, to put the optical module 9 connected to the connection interface device 2 to which the control device 3 belongs into sleep mode. This switching can be achieved, for example, by changing the potential of the drive signal output to the control circuit 32, and power consumption of the system main board 10 can be reduced in sleep mode.

[0032] To summarize the above, the system main board capable of soft starting an optical module and the control device capable of soft starting an optical module of the present invention can output the drive current provided to the optical module 9 when the optical module 9 is connected after a predetermined delay time has elapsed, thereby solving the problem of the optical module 9 breaking down or having its service life shortened due to the inrush current generated at the moment the optical module 9 is connected.Furthermore, the detection circuit 34 is used to individually monitor the drive current output to each optical module 9, so that even if an abnormality occurs in only one optical module 9 among multiple optical modules 9 connected simultaneously, the output of the drive current provided to that optical module 9 can be cut off, thereby maintaining normal operation of the other optical modules 9.

[0033] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1 Power conversion circuit 2. Connection interface device 3. Control device 31 Switch unit 32 Control circuit 321 First Transistor 322 Second Transistor 323 First Capacitor 324 Second Capacitor 329 Thyristor 33 Pull-up resistor 34 Detection circuit 341 Current Detector 342 First Comparator 343 Second Comparator 35 Adjustment circuit 7 Power Conversion Circuit 8 Connection terminal 9 Optical Modules 10 System Main Board

Claims

1. A control device electrically connected to a power conversion circuit and an optical module, for providing a driving current output from the power conversion circuit to the optical module, and capable of soft starting the optical module, comprising: a switch unit that is used to be electrically connected between the power conversion circuit and the optical module and that can be switched between a connection state in which the power conversion circuit and the optical module are electrically connected and a non-connection state in which they are not electrically connected; a control circuit; the control circuit has a first terminal portion for electrically connecting to the optical module and a control terminal portion electrically connected to the switch unit, The control circuit is configured to receive a connection signal indicating whether the optical module is connected at the first terminal portion, and upon receiving the connection signal indicating that the optical module is connected, output a drive signal that controls the switch unit at the control terminal portion after a predetermined delay time has elapsed, thereby switching the switch unit from the non-connected state to the connected state and outputting the drive current to the optical module to start up the optical module.

2. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the switch unit is a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor having a gate terminal electrically connected to the control circuit to receive the drive signal, a source terminal electrically connected to the power conversion circuit, and a drain terminal electrically connected to the optical module.

3. the control circuit includes a first transistor and a second transistor; the first transistor has a base terminal electrically connected to the first terminal portion, a collector terminal, and an emitter terminal used for grounding, and is configured to be switchable between an on state and an off state; the second transistor has a base terminal electrically connected to the collector terminal of the first transistor, a collector terminal electrically connected to the gate terminal of the switch unit, and an emitter terminal used for grounding, and is configured to be switchable between an on state and an off state; 3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein when the optical module is connected, the connection signal is at a low level, causing the first transistor to be in the off state and the second transistor to be in the on state, thereby switching the switch unit to the connection state.

4. 4. The control device of claim 3, wherein the control circuit further comprises a first capacitor electrically connected between a base terminal of the first transistor and ground.

5. 4. The control device of claim 3, wherein the control circuit further comprises a second capacitor electrically connected between the base terminal of the second transistor and ground.

6. a detection circuit electrically connected to the switch unit; and the control circuit has a second terminal portion electrically connected to the detection circuit; The detection circuit is configured to receive a first reference voltage corresponding to the power level of the optical module and a second reference voltage indicating the magnitude of the drive current of the optical module, and to generate a comparison signal indicating whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the drive current output to the optical module based on the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage, and output the comparison signal to the second terminal unit of the control circuit, 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit controls the switch unit to switch to the non-connected state based on the comparison signal when the comparison signal indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the drive current.

7. 7. The control device of claim 6, wherein the detection circuit further has a current detector electrically connected between the switch unit and the optical module and used to detect the drive current, thereby generating and outputting the second reference voltage based on the detection result by the current detector.

8. the current detector is a resistor whose both ends are connected to the switch unit and the optical module, respectively; the detection circuit further includes a first comparator and a second comparator; the first comparator has two input terminals and an output terminal, the two input terminals are respectively connected to the two ends of the current detector, and the first comparator is configured to generate the second reference voltage based on a voltage difference between the two ends of the current detector and output the second reference voltage from the output terminal; 8. The control device according to claim 7, wherein the second comparator has a first input terminal electrically connected to the output terminal of the first comparator to receive the second reference voltage, a second input terminal used to receive the first reference voltage, and an output terminal electrically connected to the control circuit, and is configured to generate the comparison signal based on the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage and output it from the output terminal to the control circuit.

9. 7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein the switch unit is a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor having a gate terminal electrically connected to the control circuit to receive the drive signal, a source terminal electrically connected to the power conversion circuit, and a drain terminal electrically connected to the optical module.

10. the control circuit includes a first transistor and a second transistor; the first transistor has a base terminal electrically connected to the first terminal portion of the control circuit, an emitter terminal used for grounding, and a collector terminal, and is configured to be switchable between an on state and an off state; the second transistor has a base terminal electrically connected to the collector terminal of the first transistor, a collector terminal electrically connected to the gate terminal of the switch unit, and an emitter terminal used for grounding, and is configured to be switchable between an on state and an off state; 10. The control device of claim 9, wherein when the optical module is connected, the connection signal is at a low level, causing the first transistor to be in the off state and the second transistor to be in the on state, thereby switching the switch unit to the connection state.

11. the control circuit further comprises a thyristor electrically connected between the base terminal of the second transistor and ground; 11. The control device according to claim 10, wherein the thyristor has a gate terminal for receiving the comparison signal, and when the received comparison signal indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the drive current, the thyristor switches the second transistor to the off state and the switch unit to the non-connected state.

12. A system main board that is connected to at least one optical module to enable soft start of the optical module, At least one connection interface device to which the optical module is connected; a power conversion circuit that outputs a driving current to the at least one connection interface device; a control device disposed between the at least one connection interface device and the power conversion circuit; the control device includes a switch unit that is used to be electrically connected between the power conversion circuit and the optical module and that can switch between a connection state in which the power conversion circuit and the optical module are electrically connected and a non-connection state in which they are not electrically connected, and a control circuit; the control circuit has a first terminal portion for electrically connecting to the optical module and a control terminal portion electrically connected to the switch unit, The control circuit is configured to receive a connection signal indicating whether the optical module is connected at the first terminal portion, and upon receiving the connection signal indicating that the optical module is connected, output a drive signal that controls the switch unit at the control terminal portion after a predetermined delay time has elapsed, thereby switching the switch unit from the non-connected state to the connected state and outputting the drive current to the optical module, thereby starting up the optical module, a system main board.

13. The control device further includes a detection circuit electrically connected to the switch unit; and the control circuit has a second terminal portion electrically connected to the detection circuit; The detection circuit is configured to receive a first reference voltage corresponding to the power level of the optical module and a second reference voltage indicating the magnitude of the drive current of the optical module, and to generate a comparison signal indicating whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the drive current output to the optical module based on the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage, and output the comparison signal to the second terminal unit of the control circuit, 13. The system main board of claim 12, wherein the control circuit controls the switch unit to switch to the non-connected state based on the comparison signal when the comparison signal indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the drive current.

14. 14. The system main board of claim 13, wherein the detection circuit further comprises a current detector electrically connected between the switch unit and the optical module and used to detect the driving current, thereby generating and outputting the second reference voltage based on the detection result by the current detector.

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