Connector Power Boost Allocation for Surplus Power Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to efficiently allocate and manage power resources to devices connected through connectors, particularly in scenarios where surplus power is available, leading to inefficiencies and potential underutilization.
Innovation Solution
A host system with a controller that monitors surplus power and allocates it to devices as boost power, implementing strategies such as passive and aggressive power allocation, and negotiates power demands based on availability and device priorities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional fixed power allocation is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but power resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power allocation where the host controller continuously monitors power availability and device needs, adjusting power allocation in real-time rather than using fixed allocations. This allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and improve power utilization efficiency while maintaining reasonable complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where devices report their power needs and the host controller monitors actual power consumption, comparing it against allocated power and availability. This closed-loop feedback enables optimized power distribution that responds to actual system conditions, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and efficiency.
2Productivity
If surplus power is allocated to devices, then device performance is improved, but power management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Devices in the system autonomously monitor their own power consumption and generate requests for additional power when needed. The host controller processes these self-generated requests and allocates surplus power automatically, eliminating the need for complex external power management infrastructure while improving device performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The host controller pre-identifies and reserves surplus power capacity before devices need it. When devices submit power requests, the controller can immediately allocate pre-identified surplus power, enabling performance improvement without complex real-time negotiation or management overhead.
3Loss of energy
If power allocation negotiation is implemented, then power distribution efficiency is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous negotiation, the system implements periodic power allocation cycles where devices report needs at intervals and the host controller redistributes surplus power accordingly. This periodic approach maintains good power distribution efficiency while significantly reducing communication overhead compared to continuous real-time negotiation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include coupling a device to a host through a connector, receiving, by a host controller, a request for boost power from the device, determining, by the host controller, an amount of surplus power available from one or more power sources arranged to provide power to the device through the connector, and allocating at least a portion of the surplus power to the device as boost power. The method may further include negotiating an amount of the boost power based on the amount of surplus power available from the one or more power sources. The method may further include monitoring a power consumption of the device, and reducing a total power allocation to the device based on the power consumption of the device.