Interface Card PMIC Power Enable Control Without Power Switch Loss

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computer architectures face challenges in optimizing power supply and battery life due to significant power dissipation associated with using power switches in interface cards, which also increase overall system cost.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) that receives a power enable signal directly from the host processor to control the enabling or disabling of power to the PMIC, thereby reducing power losses and improving battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If a power switch is used to cut off power to the interface card during standby, then standby power consumption is reduced, but active power dissipation increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandby power consumptionVSAvoidactive power dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power switching function from a separate power switch component and integrates it directly into the PMIC. This eliminates the need for an external power switch while maintaining the ability to cut off power during standby, thereby reducing active power dissipation without sacrificing standby power savings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the power switch functionality with the PMIC by providing a second power enable signal input directly to the PMIC. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate power switch components and reduces overall system power dissipation while maintaining effective power control during both active and standby states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Use of energy by stationary object

If a power switch is used to control power to the interface card, then power control is achieved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower control capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power switch functionality with the PMIC by providing a second power enable signal input directly to the PMIC. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate power switch components and reduces overall system cost while maintaining effective power control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the power switching function from a separate power switch component and integrates it directly into the PMIC, thereby eliminating the need for additional components and reducing system cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Use of energy by stationary object

If a power switch is used to control power to the interface card, then power control is achieved, but circuit board space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower control capabilityVSAvoidcircuit board space

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power switch functionality with the PMIC, eliminating the need for separate power switch components and reducing circuit board space requirements while maintaining full power control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the power switching function from a separate power switch component and integrates it directly into the PMIC, thereby eliminating the need for additional components and reducing circuit board space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12242319B2Power supply optimization based on interface card power enable signaling

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 INTEL CORP

AI summary

An interface card includes a circuit board, a device mounted on the circuit board, and a PMIC mounted on the circuit board. The PMIC includes a PMIC processor communicatively coupled to a host processor of a host system. The PMIC processor is configured to receive an input voltage signal from a power supply that is external to the interface card. The PMIC processor generates at least one output voltage signal based on the input voltage signal. The at least one output voltage signal is supplied to the device. A power enable signal originating from the host processor is detected. The power enable signal is detected at a GPIO connector of the PMIC. The PMIC processor deactivates generation of the at least one output voltage signal based on the power enable signal.