Autonomous Parallel Power Supply Redundancy via Distributed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems face challenges in managing redundancy and efficiently handling light load current demands in parallel power supply configurations, where a master controller is typically required to manage voltage regulation and track the number of available power supplies, leading to complexities in scaling current commands and maintaining voltage loop dynamics.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous system and method where each power supply in a parallel configuration monitors downstream and upstream power supplies to transition between standby and voltage regulation states based on current thresholds, allowing for autonomous load scheduling and balancing without an external control system, using embedded controllers and communication via serial buses like CAN to manage current distribution and fault management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a master controller is used to manage voltage regulation in parallel power supply systems, then voltage regulation is achieved, but system complexity increases due to the need for redundant controllers and current command scaling
Solution Approach 1:
Each power supply unit is equipped with an embedded controller that autonomously performs voltage regulation and current distribution without requiring a central master controller. The controllers self-organize into a distributed control architecture where each unit monitors its own output and communicates with neighbors to determine its current contribution, eliminating the need for complex master controller scaling logic and redundancy management
Solution Approach 2:
The control function is segmented and distributed to individual power supply units rather than centralized in a single master controller. Each unit's controller independently manages its own voltage regulation and current output based on local measurements and peer-to-peer communication, dividing the complex control task into simpler autonomous decisions at each node
2Power
If multiple power supplies are used in parallel to handle high current demands, then power delivery capability increases, but light load current control becomes challenging as each supply must regulate very small currents
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power supply units are merged into a single parallel system where their current outputs are combined at the output terminals. The embedded controllers coordinate through communication to ensure that the sum of individual current contributions meets the total load demand while maintaining voltage regulation, allowing the system to handle both high current demands and light load conditions effectively
Solution Approach 2:
Each embedded controller continuously monitors its own output current and voltage, as well as the output of adjacent units through communication interfaces. This feedback mechanism allows each controller to dynamically adjust its current contribution based on the actual system state, ensuring precise light load control while maintaining the ability to scale to high power delivery when needed
3Ease of operation
If the master controller tracks the number of available power supplies to scale current commands, then proper current distribution is achieved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each power supply unit autonomously determines its current command without requiring the master controller to track and manage the number of available units. The embedded controllers use local measurements of output current and voltage, combined with communication with adjacent units, to independently calculate their optimal current contribution, eliminating the need for centralized tracking and scaling logic
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes an output terminal to couple to an electrical load and a plurality of power supplies coupled in parallel. Each of the power supplies includes a controller configured to monitor a power output of a downstream power supply and a power output of an upstream power supply, maintain a standby state of the power supply in response to the downstream power supply providing power below a first threshold value, transition the power supply to an voltage regulation state in response to the downstream power supply providing power above the first threshold value, and provide a maximum power in response to the upstream power supply providing power above a second threshold value. The standby state represents a state in which a power output of the power supply is 0%, and the voltage regulation state representing a state in which the power output of the power supply is above 0%.