Power Source Fault Detection via Periodic Current Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-density computer systems, the close mounting of DC/DC converters (DDC) to memory units eliminates space for capacitors, leading to voltage fluctuations due to load changes, causing DDCs to be incorrectly judged as defective when output voltage exceeds a threshold.
Innovation Solution
A fault detection apparatus and method that periodically supplies current to power receivers, adjusting the current's period to cover the entire output impedance state, allowing for early detection of defective power sources by inducing and measuring voltage fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the DDC is mounted at a close distance from the memory to achieve high-density mounting, then the space utilization is improved, but the output voltage fluctuates due to load changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a power source check before the DDC is mounted on the motherboard. The checking apparatus simulates the actual operating conditions (including capacitive loads) to pre-verify the power source's ability to maintain stable output voltage under load fluctuations. This early detection prevents defective power sources from being installed, thereby ensuring voltage stability in high-density configurations without requiring physical capacitors between the DDC and memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary checking apparatus that acts as a mediator between the DDC and the final application environment. This apparatus includes a capacitor connected in parallel with the power source output, simulating the electrical characteristics of the actual system. The intermediary device allows verification of voltage stability under realistic loading conditions without requiring the DDC to be physically mounted in the high-density configuration, thus resolving the contradiction between compact mounting and voltage stability.
2Reliability
If a capacitor is arranged in the path between the DDC and memory to suppress voltage fluctuations, then the output voltage stability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for adding capacitors to the final system by performing preliminary verification. The checking apparatus includes a capacitor that simulates the electrical load characteristics, allowing the power source to be tested under conditions that would normally require additional circuit components. Power sources that pass this preliminary test are guaranteed to maintain voltage stability without requiring additional capacitors in the actual installation, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating an electrical equivalent of the actual system environment in the checking apparatus. A capacitor with specific capacitance values is used to copy the electrical characteristics of the memory load and other system components. This virtual copy allows accurate prediction of voltage fluctuations without physically implementing the complex circuit configuration that would be needed to compensate for unstable power sources in the actual high-density system.
3Productivity
If the DDC is mounted at a close distance from the memory, then the mounting density is improved, but the detection of defective power sources becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing power source verification before the DDC is mounted in the high-density configuration. The checking apparatus performs definitive tests that simulate actual operating conditions, including connecting a capacitor to represent the memory load. This early detection phase occurs when the power source can be easily accessed and tested in isolation, making defect detection straightforward despite the eventual close mounting distance. The preliminary check ensures that only verified power sources are installed in the compact final configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable detection of power source issues even in high-density systems, ensuring quality by identifying defective power sources before they cause failures.
Implementation Method 1
the output voltage of the power source exceeds a predetermined threshold value
Data Source
AI summary
A fault detection apparatus of a power source provided with a central processing unit, a power source, a power receiver supplied with current from a power source, a unit periodically accessing the power receiver from the central processing unit so as to supply a periodic current periodically repeatedly turning on and off from the power source to the power receiver, and a unit judging the power source to be defective when the output voltage of the power source exceeds a predetermined threshold value and a method and program for the same. By this, it is possible to judge a power source to be defective when fluctuations in the output voltage of a power source due to the periodic supply of current to the power receiver (voltage load fluctuations) exceed a predetermined threshold value.