Multi-Bus Power Manager for Portable Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable computing devices face limitations in receiving power through single bus interfaces, as the power received is often restricted by the connected source or internal circuitry, limiting their operational capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables a portable computing device to receive power through multiple bus interfaces simultaneously, using power managers to determine and manage input currents from each source, selectively providing charging currents to the battery, and switching to battery power when necessary, while facilitating communication and power adjustments based on the type of power source connected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If power is received through a single bus interface, then the device can operate with limited power sources, but the total power received is limited by the single interface's capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system is segmented into multiple independent power managers, each associated with a specific bus interface. Each power manager independently manages power from its corresponding interface, allowing the system to receive power from multiple sources simultaneously while maintaining organized, modular control over each power stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system is designed to universally handle multiple types of power sources through multiple bus interfaces. Each power manager can manage different power source types (hosts or power adapters) connected to its interface, and the system can adaptively route power from any interface to either operate the device or charge the battery, providing multi-functional power management capability.
2Power
If the device receives power from multiple bus interfaces simultaneously, then the total power capacity increases, but the power management system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The power management architecture is divided into separate, independent power managers for each bus interface. This segmentation allows each power manager to handle its interface's power independently without being burdened by the complexity of managing all interfaces centrally, thus scaling power capacity while controlling management complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Each power manager autonomously determines whether its connected power source is a host or power adapter, and independently decides how to allocate power from that source. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex centralized coordination, allowing the system to handle multiple power sources simultaneously with minimal inter-manager communication overhead.
3Power
If the device uses a power adapter connected to a bus interface, then charging current can be provided to the battery, but the input current is limited by the power adapter's capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges power from multiple bus interfaces, combining the charging current capabilities of multiple power adapters or the combined output of a power adapter and host power. This aggregation of power sources increases the total charging current available to the battery, thereby improving charging speed while each individual power manager continues to operate independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system dynamically adjusts power allocation based on real-time conditions. When a power adapter is detected, the system dynamically routes appropriate current to charging. When multiple power sources are available, the system dynamically combines their outputs. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maximize charging current and speed based on the available power sources without requiring static, overly complex preconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that enables a portable computing device to receive power through multiple bus interfaces at the same time. When the system senses that a first power source is plugged into a first bus interface in the portable computing device, the system determines whether the first power source is a host or a power adapter. Next, based upon whether the first power source is a host or a power adapter, the system uses a first power manager coupled to the first bus interface to limit a first input current received from the first power source to power the computing device. The system also provides the maximum charging current to a rechargeable battery for the portable computing device by chaining together a second bus interface whether power is present on the second bus interface or not.