Embedded Controller Power Flush for Non-Booting System Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information handling systems require user intervention to manually disconnect power rails and ensure a full power drain to recover from a non-booting state, which is inefficient and disruptive.
Innovation Solution
A power recovery method implemented by a management circuit, such as an embedded controller, automatically disconnects and reconnects all power sources, including core voltage and RTC power sources, to fully drain power rails without user intervention, using a predetermined delay to ensure complete power removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual power disconnection is implemented to ensure full power drain, then power recovery is achieved, but user intervention and system disassembly are required
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded controller automatically performs the power drain sequence without user intervention. It monitors system power state, detects non-booting conditions, and autonomously executes the recovery process by controlling power source disconnection and reconnection, making the system self-diagnosing and self-recovering
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded controller acts as an intermediary between the power sources and the system components. It manages the disconnection and reconnection of power sources (including internal batteries and external power) to the system, enabling automated power recovery while protecting other components during the process
2Reliability
If full system disassembly is performed to disconnect internal batteries, then complete power drain is ensured, but recovery time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded controller is pre-configured with the capability to manage power source disconnection. Power control mechanisms are pre-established, allowing the controller to rapidly disconnect and reconnect power sources without requiring physical disassembly of the system, thus reducing recovery time while ensuring complete power drain
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded controller serves as an intermediary that manages power source connections through controlled electrical switching rather than physical disassembly. This allows complete power drain to be achieved by electronically disconnecting power sources, avoiding the time-consuming process of physical system disassembly
3Extent of automation
If automated power management is implemented, then user intervention is eliminated, but management circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded controller, which already exists in the system for other management functions, is extended to also handle power source management and automated power recovery. This multi-functional approach avoids adding separate dedicated hardware for power management, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while achieving automation
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of this disclosure implement a power recovery method without user intervention to drain all power rails of a non-booting information handling system and restoring power after a full drain sequence has been completed. A method may include determining, by a management circuit, a failure occurs preventing handoff from a basic input/output system (BIOS) to an operating system; based on determining the failure occurs: disconnecting, by the management circuit of the information handling system, one or more active power sources and one or more real-time clock (RTC) power sources; and after a predetermined delay following disconnecting: re-connecting, by the management circuit of the information handling system, the at least one of the one or more active power sources or the one or more real-time clock (RTC) power sources; and booting the information handling system. Other aspects are also disclosed.