Logic Controller Auxiliary Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Systems with limited power sources face challenges in determining which logic devices to power using auxiliary power, as the auxiliary power may not be sufficient to enable all devices to operate simultaneously, requiring a method to prioritize and manage power distribution effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple logic devices, a power input, and a logic controller that polls devices to determine requests for auxiliary power, selects devices based on priority, and switches between primary and auxiliary power sources to ensure optimal functionality under limited conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If auxiliary power is provided to all logic devices simultaneously, then all devices can operate, but the auxiliary power source becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the logic devices into multiple groups based on priority levels. The logic controller selectively powers specific groups of devices rather than all devices simultaneously, allowing the limited auxiliary power to be distributed to critical functions first while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different logic devices are assigned different priority levels (local quality differences) based on their criticality to system operation. The logic controller applies power selectively to devices with higher priority levels, ensuring that the most critical devices receive power while less critical devices are powered down or placed in low-power mode.
2Loss of time
If the logic controller polls all logic devices at once, then all power requests are detected quickly, but the control logic becomes overly complex
Solution Approach 1:
The polling process is segmented into multiple phases, with the logic controller polling logic devices in groups or sequentially rather than all at once. This reduces the complexity of simultaneous signal handling while still providing timely detection of power requests across all devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The logic controller performs preliminary polling of logic devices to detect power requests before making final power allocation decisions. This staged approach allows the system to gather information from all devices without requiring complex simultaneous processing, thereby reducing control logic complexity while maintaining responsive power management.
3Quantity of substance
If auxiliary power is provided to non-critical logic devices, then more devices can operate, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system assigns different operational states to different logic devices based on their priority levels. Critical devices receive full auxiliary power, while non-critical devices are placed in low-power mode or powered down entirely, optimizing the balance between the number of operational devices and auxiliary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing full power to all requesting devices, the logic controller provides partial or selective power only to the minimum necessary subset of devices required to maintain essential system functions, thereby reducing overall auxiliary power consumption while still achieving adequate system operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Various example implementations are disclosed. According to one example implementation, a system may include multiple logic devices, a power input, and a logic controller. The logic devices may each be configured to assert a request for auxiliary power to a logic controller. The power input may be configured to provide the auxiliary power to one or more of the logic devices. The logic controller may be configured to poll the logic devices by polling less than all of the logic devices at a time to determine whether the logic devices assert the request for the auxiliary power.