Intermediate Bus Converter Dynamic Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional Intermediate Bus Architecture power systems require a Board Power Manager to dynamically adjust Intermediate Bus Voltage for optimized efficiency, increasing complexity and maintenance costs, and relying on data from Point of Load Regulators.
Innovation Solution
The Intermediate Bus Converter autonomously determines and controls the Intermediate Bus Voltage by measuring its own output current and voltage, using a look-up table to minimize power loss without the need for a Board Power Manager.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a Board Power Manager is used to dynamically adjust Intermediate Bus Voltage, then power efficiency is optimized, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the voltage control functionality from the external Board Power Manager and relocates it directly into the Intermediate Bus Converter. This eliminates the need for separate communication infrastructure and external management hardware, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining dynamic voltage adjustment capability for optimized power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the voltage control function with the Intermediate Bus Converter by integrating a controlling unit directly into the converter. This consolidation combines the power conversion and voltage regulation functions into a single device, eliminating the need for separate Board Power Manager hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
2Loss of energy
If a Board Power Manager is used to control Intermediate Bus Voltage, then power efficiency is optimized, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the control logic from the external Board Power Manager and embedding it within the Intermediate Bus Converter, the invention eliminates the need for separate management hardware that would require maintenance. This reduces maintenance requirements while preserving the ability to dynamically optimize power efficiency.
3Device complexity
If Intermediate Bus Voltage is kept fixed, then system simplicity is maintained, but power efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the static, fixed Intermediate Bus Voltage into a dynamic voltage that automatically adjusts based on real-time operating conditions. The controlling unit continuously monitors output current and voltage, and dynamically selects optimal voltage levels from a look-up table, enabling the system to maintain simplicity while achieving efficient power management across varying loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The Intermediate Bus Converter performs self-optimization by using its own internal measurements of output current and voltage to determine the optimal Intermediate Bus Voltage. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external management systems while maintaining power efficiency, as the converter autonomously adjusts its operating parameters based on its own operating state.
4Measurement precision
If Board Power Manager collects data from Point of Load Regulators, then accurate voltage control is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the Board Power Manager collect data from Point of Load Regulators to determine optimal voltage, the invention inverts the approach by having the Intermediate Bus Converter use its own internal measurements of output current and voltage to determine the optimal Intermediate Bus Voltage. This eliminates the need for complex communication infrastructure while maintaining accurate voltage control.
Data Source
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AI summary
To reduce power loss in an intermediate bus architecture power system, an intermediate bus converter is provided which converts an input voltage to an intermediate bus voltage using a converting unit; receives a signal indicative of an output of a converting unit; determines an intermediate bus voltage to reduce power loss in dependence upon the signal indicative of an output of the converting unit; generates a control signal to control the converting unit to convert the input voltage to the determined intermediate bus voltage; and generates an intermediate bus voltage in dependence upon the control signal.