Chassis Voltage Drop Compensation via Switched Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-node server systems face challenges in delivering power across large-scale printed circuit boards due to resistive power drops, as traditional remote sensing techniques often fail to compensate for voltage drops across all nodes, leading to potential server operation interruptions and instability.
Innovation Solution
A voltage compensation system with a power supply unit having an adjustable voltage output and a feedback circuit, where a switch controls the feedback circuit to compensate for voltage drops by switching between local and remote sensing inputs, allowing real-time adjustment of the power supply unit's output to match the voltage requirements of remote nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If local sensing technique is used by the PSU, then the output voltage level at the PSU output terminals is calibrated, but the voltage drops to remote nodes are not compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a midplane as an intermediary component that collects voltage feedback signals from multiple remote nodes and routes them to the PSU. This mediator enables the PSU to sense voltages at distant locations without requiring direct sensing connections to each node, thereby compensating for voltage drops while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where voltage levels at remote nodes are sensed and fed back to the PSU through the midplane. The PSU uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust its output voltage, compensating for voltage drops caused by resistive power paths and ensuring stable voltage delivery to all nodes.
2Ease of operation
If remote sensing is performed by sensing a local or nearest sensing point, then the feedback signal can be connected to the PSU, but voltage drops to more than two nodes cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The midplane serves multiple functions: it acts as a power distribution pathway, a signal routing network, and a feedback collection point. By making the midplane universal and multi-functional, the system can compensate for voltage drops to multiple remote nodes simultaneously while keeping the feedback signal routing manageable through the existing midplane infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If the feedback signal is routed from a local sensing point, then the PSU can control power supply, but voltage drops across large-scale PCBs are not detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-point local sensing approach to a distributed multi-point sensing architecture. By placing sensing points at multiple remote nodes across the large-scale PCB and collecting their feedback through the midplane, the system achieves comprehensive voltage drop detection without significantly increasing device complexity, as the midplane already provides the necessary routing infrastructure.
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 solution effectively compensates for system voltage drops across all nodes in a multi-node chassis server system, avoiding noise coupling and robustly addressing power-path transmission line resistance and load variations, ensuring stable operation and preventing inrush currents during hot plugging.
Implementation Method 1
power losses
Implementation Method 2
feedback circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A system and method for compensating for voltage drops in a device having a remote node (606) is disclosed. A power supply unit (602) has an adjustable voltage output and a feedback circuit (630). A power path (604) is coupled to the power supply unit to supply voltage to the remote node. A switch (624) has an output (626) coupled to the feedback circuit, a first input coupled to the power path (604), and a second input coupled to the remote node (606). A controller is coupled to the switch. The controller is operable to control the switch to switch between the inputs to cause the feedback circuit of the power supply unit to compensate the voltage output for a voltage drop on the power path or the remote node.