ATX Power Good Pin Frequency Modulation for Real-Time Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The standard 20-pin and 24-pin ATX power connectors lack pins for transmitting power supply information such as voltage, current, and temperature, making it difficult to monitor the power supply state in computer systems, which increases manufacturing costs and assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
A computer system that uses a state detecting unit within the power supply to convert power supply data into a high-frequency signal carried on the 'power good' pin of the ATX power connector, allowing the motherboard to decode and display this information on the screen, including voltage, current, temperature, and other parameters, without modifying the original ATX power connector architecture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If additional pins are added to the ATX power connector to transmit power supply information, then the monitoring capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the existing 'power good' pin to serve dual purposes: indicating power supply status and transmitting monitoring data through frequency modulation. This eliminates the need for additional pins while achieving both status indication and information transmission functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the 'power good' pin from a simple DC voltage level (5V/0V) to a frequency-modulated signal. By varying the frequency of the signal based on power supply parameters (voltage, current, temperature), the system encodes multiple pieces of information within a single pin's signal characteristics.
2Loss of information
If a USB cable or additional transmission cable is used to transmit power supply information, then the monitoring function is achieved, but the assembly difficulty and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing ATX power connector universal by enabling it to perform both power delivery and data transmission functions. The 'power good' pin simultaneously indicates power status and carries monitoring information, eliminating the need for separate USB or data cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power status indication function and the power supply monitoring function into a single transmission channel (the 'power good' pin). By combining these functions, the system reduces the number of components and simplifies the assembly process while achieving comprehensive monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If the amplitude of the high-frequency signal is increased to improve signal detection, then the monitoring precision is improved, but the harmful factors (electromagnetic interference) increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of signal transmission from amplitude modulation to frequency modulation. By encoding information in the frequency domain rather than the amplitude domain, the system achieves good signal detection without requiring large amplitude changes that would cause electromagnetic interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the limitation of the existing pin structure (which cannot support multiple functions) into a benefit by using frequency modulation to encode multiple pieces of information within a single pin's signal. This approach avoids the harmful effects of adding physical components while achieving comprehensive monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a compute system which may detect the state of a power supply. The system includes a power supply and a motherboard. The power supply has a detecting unit for detecting a power state of the power supply. The detected information is converted to a high-frequency signal and outputted to the motherboard via a “power good” pin in an ATX power connector. The motherboard may obtain a voltage, current, power, temperature and other values inside the power supply via the ATX power connector and allow the values to be displayed on the screen to provide a real-time monitoring function for the users.