Network PSU Cold Redundancy via I-Share Signal Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network devices with redundant power supplies often operate inefficiently due to simultaneous activation of primary and redundant power supplies, leading to decreased energy efficiency and system performance, and existing central system software solutions are prone to glitches and inefficient load distribution.
Innovation Solution
A digital communication method using an I-share line for active current sharing and load balancing among power supplies, where a primary PSU gathers input factors, ranks redundant PSUs, and transmits activity state signals via a superimposed high-frequency cold redundancy signal to optimize PSU operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant power supplies operate in parallel with primary power supplies in a hot redundancy setup, then continuous power supply and fast failover are ensured, but energy efficiency decreases due to operation below optimal efficiency range
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions power supplies between active and standby states based on operational conditions. The cold redundancy setup allows the system to adapt its configuration, switching from hot redundancy (all active) to cold redundancy (one active, others standby) to optimize energy efficiency while maintaining reliability through controlled failover capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational state parameter of redundant power supplies from continuously active to standby state. By modifying the activity state parameter, the system reduces energy consumption of redundant units while maintaining their ability to take over when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy efficiency.
2Productivity
If cold redundancy logic is implemented with digital communication on I-share line, then load distribution and response time are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The I-share line, originally designed for a single function, is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it continues its primary role for power supply communication while simultaneously carrying cold redundancy logic signals. This multi-functionality approach improves load distribution efficiency without adding separate dedicated communication channels, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the cold redundancy management functions with the existing I-share line communication infrastructure. By combining these functions into a single communication channel, the system achieves improved productivity through efficient load distribution while avoiding the complexity overhead of completely separate communication systems.
3Speed
If high-frequency signal is superimposed on I-share line for cold redundancy communication, then communication speed and response time are enhanced, but signal interference and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic modulation of high-frequency signals for cold redundancy communication. By using periodic action with specific duty cycles and timing patterns, the system achieves enhanced communication speed while the periodic nature helps in signal synchronization and reduces random noise interference, managing the trade-off between speed and signal quality.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, methods, and processes for operating a plurality of power supplies of a network device using cold redundancy are described herein. Traditionally, redundant power supplies are operated in parallel with primary power supplies, thus making power supply system less efficient. To address these issues, the present disclosure describes a digital mechanism of cold redundancy to manage the activity states of redundant power supplies. Each power supply is connected by a communication line configured to carry operational signals at a low frequency. In response to surge in load demand, a primary power supply may transmit high frequency cold redundancy signals to one or more redundant power supplies. The cold redundancy signals may be transmitted as superimposed signal over the communication line. At the receiving end, the superimposed signal is passed through a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter to segregate the cold redundancy signals and the communication line operational signals.