Multiport Adapter Power Add-Up for CPU Turbo and Quick Charge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring multiple chargers in multiport systems to efficiently share power and support high power demands, such as CPU Turbo events and Quick Charge functions, is complex due to the need to manage multiple current paths and unknown or changing power demands from devices.
Innovation Solution
The adapter power add-up feature allows two or more adapters to combine their power, with one charger operating as a voltage source and the others as current sources, enabling a simple control scheme by using a single sense resistor and a controller to manage power distribution, including battery discharge when system demand exceeds adapter power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple chargers are configured to share power in multiport systems, then power utilization is maximized and charging speed is improved, but system complexity increases due to managing multiple current paths and unknown power demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple charger circuits into a unified power delivery system where multiple adapters can simultaneously charge a single battery. The chargers are merged at the battery interface, allowing power from multiple sources to be aggregated and managed through a single control architecture, thereby achieving fast charging without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The charger circuits are designed with multi-functionality to operate in different modes: they can individually charge the battery, work in parallel to provide aggregated power, or function as power pass-through to external devices. This universal design allows the same hardware to adapt to various power delivery scenarios without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each function
2Power
If multiple chargers operate in parallel to provide aggregated power, then power delivery capacity is increased, but control complexity increases due to unknown or changing power demands from devices
Solution Approach 1:
The power delivery system implements self-service through automatic mode detection and selection. The controller automatically determines whether to operate in individual charger mode, parallel aggregation mode, or power pass-through mode based on real-time conditions such as adapter presence, battery charge state, and connected device requirements, without requiring manual configuration or complex external control
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic operation where charger configurations can change in real-time based on system conditions. The controller dynamically adjusts between different operating modes, enables or disables specific charger circuits, and modifies power distribution ratios according to changing power demands, adapter availability, and battery state, providing adaptive power management without fixed predetermined configurations
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple control scheme is used with single sense resistor, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but power distribution control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single sense resistor is designed as a multi-functional element that serves multiple measurement purposes: it monitors total input power from adapters, measures battery charging current, and detects power pass-through conditions. This universal sensing approach eliminates the need for separate sense resistors for each function, reducing component count and cost while providing sufficient information for the controller to manage power distribution accurately through software-based calculations
Data Source
AI summary
One or more embodiments are directed to a multiport power delivery architecture that reduces the cost and maximizes the power utilization. According to some aspects, an adapter power add-up feature of the embodiments can combine the power of two or more adapters. The total power can be used to support CPU Turbo events and Quick Charge function. In one aspect, one charger operates as voltage source or current source and the other(s) as current source(s). When the system demand is high enough for all chargers may operate as current sources, the battery will supply the rest of the system demand. The proposed implementation of adapter power add-up feature can enable simple control scheme. Customers can set up BGATE control priorities to determine which charger to handle the BGATE control.