NVDC Power Supply Control for Battery Removal Events
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power supply systems, particularly those using Narrow VDC architecture, face challenges in managing power when a battery is removed while still relying on AC adaptor power, as they may shut down due to excessive power consumption exceeding the AC adaptor's rating, leading to potential system shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an NVDC electric power supply system that includes a processor, power circuit, and embedded controller, which detects battery presence or absence and adjusts operating frequency and power consumption to prevent shutdowns by using both AC adaptor and battery power effectively, with the embedded controller notifying the BIOS to manage power settings and instructing the power circuit to modify operating frequencies and powers accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses both AC adaptor and battery power to supplement each other, then the system can cope with power consumption exceeding AC adaptor rating, but the system may shut down when battery is removed and power consumption exceeds AC adaptor rating
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded controller detects battery removal in advance and notifies the BIOS before power consumption exceeds the AC adaptor rating. This preliminary detection and notification mechanism allows the system to take preventive actions (such as reducing CPU frequency) before a shutdown occurs, resolving the contradiction between power supply flexibility and system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the embedded controller continuously monitors battery presence and power consumption status, and provides feedback to the BIOS and power circuit. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of power consumption to prevent shutdowns while maintaining the ability to use both AC adaptor and battery power
2Ease of operation
If the system operates with battery removed and AC adaptor only, then the system should maintain normal operation, but power consumption may exceed AC adaptor rating causing shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the CPU operating frequency based on power supply conditions. When battery removal is detected, the embedded controller notifies the BIOS, which then instructs the power circuit to modify the CPU frequency to ensure power consumption remains within the AC adaptor rating, maintaining operation continuity while controlling power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating frequency parameter of the CPU in response to battery removal. By adjusting this key parameter, the system ensures that power consumption adapts to the available AC adaptor power capacity, preventing shutdowns while maintaining operational capability
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an electric power supply system includes a processor, a power circuit and an embedded controller. The processor includes a first controller configured to modify an operating frequency of the processor and a second controller configured to modify an operating power of the processor. The power circuit and the embedded controller detect a presence or an absence of a battery in parallel. The power circuit instructs the first controller to modify the operating frequency when removal of the battery is detected. The embedded controller causes the second controller to modify the operating power via a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) when the removal of the battery is detected, and causes the first controller to stop modify the operating power via the power circuit.