PSU Latency Reduction via Charging Module Pre-Charge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer systems requiring continuous electrical power, such as servers, face challenges in reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliability, as power supply units (PSUs) can consume high amounts of energy if not managed properly, and existing technologies lack efficient methods to reduce latency when activating a PSU from standby to active mode.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a charging module with a resistor and switch connected to a supply bus, where a first controlled signal designates the PSU as standby, disabling the switching regulator and maintaining charge through the resistor, and a second signal designates it as active, enabling the regulator and charging the output capacitor, thereby reducing latency and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a PSU is kept in standby mode to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but activation latency increases when switching from standby to active mode
Solution Approach 1:
The charging module pre-charges the output capacitor of the switching regulator while the PSU is in standby mode through a resistor. This preliminary charging action reduces the time required to activate the PSU when transitioning from standby to active mode, as the capacitor is already partially charged and ready for immediate power delivery.
2Reliability
If multiple PSUs are maintained in active mode to ensure reliability, then system reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages PSU states by implementing a standby mode with a charging module that pre-charges the output capacitor. This dynamic state management allows PSUs to switch between active and standby modes based on system needs, maintaining reliability through hot-swappable redundancy while reducing energy consumption during standby periods.
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
The solution effectively reduces latency in activating a PSU from standby to active mode, enhancing reliability and energy efficiency, allowing for reduced power consumption without performance loss, especially when operating under IStar control.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, from a voltage rail of the supply bus, charge flowing through a resistor of the charging module to maintain a charge of an output capacitor of the switching regulator
Implementation Method 2
enabling, in response to the second controlled signal, the switching regulator. In response to enabling the switching regulator, the method includes outputting a voltage from the PSU through the charging module to the voltage rail, and charging the output capacitor using the PSU
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing latency using a charging module when activating a power supply unit (PSU) among a plurality of PSUs in a power supply system. The method includes: Receiving, by the PSU from a power input feed, input power; receiving, from a supply bus shared by the plurality of PSUs, a first controlled signal designating a status of the PSU as standby; disabling, in response to the first controlled signal, a switching regulator of the PSU; receiving, from a voltage rail of the supply bus, charge flowing through a resistor of the charging module to maintain a charge of an output capacitor of the switching regulator; receiving a second controlled signal designating the status of the PSU as active; enabling the switching regulator; outputting a voltage from the PSU through the charging module to the voltage rail; and charging the output capacitor using the PSU.