Discharge Circuit Control for Reliable Logic Device Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unsuccessful updates to logic devices in information handling systems due to the auxiliary power rail not decreasing to a low enough voltage during the update process.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a discharge circuit with a switching network that discharges the main power rail in response to a trigger for updating the logic device, monitoring the auxiliary power rail voltage, and enabling the update when it drops below a threshold, ensuring the auxiliary power rail is sufficiently discharged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the auxiliary power rail is used to provide electrical energy to the logic device during normal operation, then the logic device can function properly, but the voltage remains too high during update process causing unsuccessful updates
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge circuit is activated before the update process begins to pre-discharge the auxiliary power rail, ensuring the voltage is sufficiently low before the update starts. This preliminary action prevents the voltage from being too high during the critical update window, thereby ensuring reliable updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors the auxiliary power rail voltage and uses this feedback to control the discharge circuit. When the voltage exceeds a threshold, the discharge circuit is activated to reduce the voltage. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the voltage is maintained at appropriate levels for successful updates.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the auxiliary power rail voltage is maintained for continuous operation, then the logic device operates continuously, but the voltage prevents successful logic device updates
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge circuit operates periodically during the update process, activating when the voltage threshold is exceeded and deactivating when the voltage is sufficiently low. This periodic discharge ensures the voltage is reset at appropriate intervals during the update window, allowing successful updates while maintaining operational continuity before and after the update.
3Device complexity
If no discharge circuit is used, then the system is simpler, but updates pause or hang due to insufficient voltage discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge circuit acts as an intermediary component between the auxiliary power rail and the logic device. It provides a controlled path for discharging the power rail voltage, mediating the voltage levels to ensure they are appropriate for updates. This intermediary component resolves the conflict between simplicity and update efficiency by adding only the minimal necessary circuitry.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system may include a processor, a logic device communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to perform a function to extend the functionality of the information handling system, a voltage regulator configured to receive a main power rail and generate an auxiliary power rail for providing electrical energy to the logic device, and a discharge circuit electrically and communicatively coupled to the logic device, the discharge circuit comprising a switching network configured to, in response to a trigger for updating functional logic of the logic device, discharge the main power rail.