Expansion Card Dynamic Charge Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Expansion cards face challenges in managing power consumption dynamically to stay within the power limits of the expansion slot, as existing systems lack real-time monitoring and adjustment capabilities to prevent exceeding the power threshold, potentially leading to inefficiencies and reduced functionality.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes monitoring circuits connected to power rails on the expansion card, which dynamically monitor power, voltage, and current, and adjust the charging current to an energy storage device based on real-time power usage, ensuring that the total power consumption remains within the predetermined limits of the expansion slot by using current limiting devices and processors to manage power allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the expansion card uses a charging circuit to consume power from the expansion slot, then the card can provide additional functionality and expand system capabilities, but the card may exceed the power threshold of the expansion slot, leading to power management issues and potential system instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by continuously monitoring power consumption through monitoring circuits and adjusting the charging current in real-time based on available power headroom. The system transitions from static power allocation to dynamic adjustment, allowing the expansion card to adapt its power usage to available capacity while maintaining additional functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where monitoring circuits measure actual power consumption, compare it against the power threshold, and feed this information back to control circuits that adjust the charging current accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the card remains within power limits while maximizing functionality utilization.
2Reliability
If the expansion card implements real-time power monitoring and dynamic charge current adjustment, then the card can maintain optimal functionality and prevent exceeding power limits, but the device complexity increases due to additional monitoring circuits and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into unified circuit blocks: monitoring circuits that detect both power consumption and voltage levels, control circuits that manage both charging current and power allocation, and communication interfaces that handle both status reporting and control commands. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the monitoring and control functions into an integrated power management system where the monitoring circuits, control circuits, and charging circuit work as a unified ensemble. The control circuit receives inputs from monitoring circuits and directly controls the charging circuit, merging what could be separate independent systems into a coordinated integrated unit.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure pertain to a system and method for providing dynamic charge current based on maximum expansion card power. Dynamic monitoring of overall power usage by an expansion card is performed. Based on the dynamic monitoring, power consumption of a charging circuit of the card is dynamically adjusted for maintaining the overall power consumption of the expansion card at or below a pre-determined power limit (e.g., at or below an expansion slot power limit). Further, based on the dynamic monitoring, an amount of charging current provided by a current limiting device of the charging circuit to an energy storage device of the charging circuit is dynamically adjusted.