Power-On Enable PWM for GPU Capacitor Overcurrent Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rapid charging of GPU capacitors during power-on in electronic devices leads to significant overcurrent, which can cause power issues, especially with larger capacitors requiring slower voltage increases, necessitating hardware changes that are resource-intensive and difficult to manage.
Innovation Solution
A power-on control method involving pulse-width modulation of the enable signal based on the output voltage trend to control the increasing rate of the output voltage, adjusting the duty cycle to manage the charging current and prevent overcurrent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the enable signal is switched from low level to high level to charge the GPU capacitor, then the voltage increases quickly, but the current becomes significantly higher than normal load causing overcurrent
Solution Approach 1:
The enable signal is applied in periodic pulses rather than continuously, allowing the capacitor to charge in stages. The PWM controller switches the enable signal between high and low states, creating periodic charging action that limits peak current while achieving the required voltage increase speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The duty cycle of the enable signal is dynamically adjusted based on the output voltage feedback. As the output voltage increases, the duty cycle is modified to maintain optimal charging current, transforming the static enable signal into a dynamic control signal that adapts to changing voltage conditions.
2Speed
If larger Css capacitors are used in the power IC controller, then the voltage increases slower, but the capacitor size increases requiring hardware changes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the physical capacitor size, the patent changes the control parameters of the enable signal (duty cycle and pulse width) to regulate the voltage increase rate. The PWM controller adjusts these parameters to achieve the desired voltage slope without modifying the capacitor hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/hardware approach of selecting different capacitor sizes with an electronic control approach using PWM. The voltage increase rate is controlled through electrical signal modulation rather than physical component selection, eliminating the need for hardware changes.
3Loss of time
If the voltage increases faster to charge the GPU capacitor, then the charging time is reduced, but the current required increases causing greater overcurrent risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the output voltage to control the PWM duty cycle. The controller monitors the voltage increase and adjusts the enable signal accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes charging speed while preventing overcurrent conditions through real-time voltage-based feedback.
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 method effectively reduces overcurrent risk during power-on by ensuring consistent voltage slopes without requiring hardware changes, using software adjustments to manage capacitor charging.
Implementation Method 1
A power IC (integrated circuit) controller may use larger Css capacitors. When an enable (EN) pin is changed from 0 to 1, the Css capacitor may be charged.
Data Source
AI summary
A power-on control method, a power-on control apparatus and an electronic device are provided in the present disclosure. The power-on control method includes, in response to receiving a power-on command, switching an enable signal of a power control chip from a low level to a high level, and monitoring an output voltage of the power control chip; and performing pulse-width modulation on the enable signal according to an increasing trend of the output voltage to control an increasing rate of the output voltage.