Dynamic Delay Modulation for Power Supply Voltage Stabilization

Solution Overview

Problem

Computer booting failures due to unstable power supply, where existing power supply voltage monitoring devices send a 'power good' signal before voltage converters reach stable levels, leading to incorrect assumptions about voltage converter issues and potential hardware replacement.

Innovation Solution

A control method and device that perform a delay modulation procedure, adjusting the delay duration based on output voltage values reaching target levels, ensuring a stable power good signal is sent only when all voltage converters achieve their target levels, thereby allowing the computer to boot correctly without replacing components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a power supply voltage monitoring device is used to monitor the power state, then the booting procedure can be initiated when power is supplied, but the voltage converter may not reach stable levels resulting in booting failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebooting speedVSAvoidbooting success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic delay modulation mechanism where the delay duration is not fixed but can be adjusted based on the actual voltage stabilization state. The controller dynamically extends or reduces the delay time according to real-time voltage monitoring feedback, allowing the system to adapt to different voltage converter characteristics and load conditions, thereby ensuring reliable booting while optimizing booting speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the output voltage of the voltage converter during the delay period. Based on this feedback information, the controller determines whether to extend the delay duration or proceed with the booting procedure, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures voltage stability before initiating booting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the delay duration is increased to ensure voltage stability, then booting reliability improves, but booting time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebooting success rateVSAvoidbooting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic delay modulation mechanism where the delay duration is not fixed but can be adjusted based on the actual voltage stabilization state. The controller dynamically extends or reduces the delay time according to real-time voltage monitoring feedback, allowing the system to adapt to different voltage converter characteristics and load conditions, thereby ensuring reliable booting while optimizing booting speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the delay duration parameter dynamically based on voltage stabilization monitoring. Instead of using a fixed conservative delay time, the system adjusts this parameter in real-time according to the actual voltage output characteristics, achieving an optimal balance between reliability and time loss for each specific booting scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed delay duration is used, then the control logic is simple, but it cannot adapt to voltage converters that require longer stabilization time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol logic complexityVSAvoidadaptability to different voltage converters

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the output voltage of the voltage converter during the delay period. Based on this feedback information, the controller determines whether to extend the delay duration or proceed with the booting procedure, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures voltage stability before initiating booting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically monitoring its own voltage output and determining the appropriate delay duration without external intervention. The controller serves itself by using its own monitoring capabilities to make real-time decisions about when the voltage is stable enough for booting, eliminating the need for complex external calibration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12026519B2Control method and device for powering timing

Publication Date: 2024.07.02 GIGA BYTE TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A control method for powering timing, performed by a controller, includes: performing a delay modulation procedure when triggered by a delay modulation command, wherein the delay modulation procedure includes: after a delay duration has passed, determining whether a number of output voltage values of a number of voltage converters reach a number of target levels respectively, wherein the target levels correspond to the output voltage values respectively. The method further includes: if any one of the output voltage values does not reach a corresponding one of the target levels, increasing the delay duration according to a first default interval and updating the delay duration, and performing the delay modulation procedure when triggered by the delay modulation command again; and if the output voltage values reach the target levels respectively, outputting a power good signal to a central processing unit, for the central processing unit to perform a booting procedure.