Bridging Device Power Saving via Voltage Converter Disable
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bridging devices consume redundant power due to continuously operating buck DC-DC converters even when in a power-saving state, as they fail to disable voltage conversion operations.
Innovation Solution
A bridging device with a selection circuit that disables the voltage converter when the bridging chip enters a power-saving state, using either a bus voltage or a down-converted voltage to power the chip, thereby reducing power consumption by only using the bus voltage in a power-saving state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the voltage converter operates continuously to provide stable power conversion, then power supply stability is improved, but power consumption increases during power-saving states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation of the voltage converter by enabling it only when the bridging chip is in a normal operating state and disabling it when the bridging chip enters a power-saving state. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt power conversion operations to actual needs, maintaining stability when required while reducing power consumption during low-activity periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging chip monitors its own operational state and autonomously controls the voltage converter's operation accordingly. When the bridging chip determines it is in a power-saving state, it automatically disables the voltage converter without external intervention, enabling the system to self-regulate power consumption based on its operational requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the bridging chip enters a power-saving state to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the voltage converter continues to operate consuming redundant power
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control where the operational state of the bridging chip is continuously monitored and used to control the voltage converter's operation. When the bridging chip enters a power-saving state, this state information is fed back to the control logic, which then disables the voltage converter to eliminate redundant power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the voltage converter operation from the power-saving state by disabling it when the bridging chip is in a low-power mode. This separation allows the bridging chip to achieve genuine power-saving operation by removing the continuous power consumption source (voltage converter) from the system when full functionality is not required.
3Loss of energy
If the voltage converter is disabled in power-saving state to reduce power consumption, then energy waste is reduced, but power conversion functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the voltage converter's operational status based on the bridging chip's state. During normal operation, the voltage converter provides full power conversion functionality. During power-saving states, it is disabled to eliminate energy waste. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain versatility when needed while reducing energy waste during low-activity periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage converter operates periodically rather than continuously, being enabled during normal operational periods and disabled during power-saving periods. This periodic operation pattern allows the system to maintain power conversion functionality when required while eliminating energy waste during intervals when the bridging chip is in a low-power state.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces power consumption during power-saving states, aligning with environmental directives like EuP, by ensuring the voltage converter stops operating and only using lower-powered bus voltage to maintain minimal hardware functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the voltage converter is coupled to a first voltage and down converts the first voltage to generate a second voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A bridging device and a power saving method thereof are disclosed. When a bridging chip of the bridging device receives a power saving command transferred from a host and thereby enters a power saving state, a voltage converter of the bridging device is disabled accordingly and a selection circuit selects to couple a bus voltage to the bridging chip to power the bridging chip. The bus voltage is transferred from the host through a power pin of a connector of the bridging device. The connector is coupled to the host.