Active Redundant Y-Cable Power Sharing for Data Path Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
As data centers grow in complexity, providing redundancy in active cables to prevent service interruptions due to hardware failures becomes costly and inefficient, especially when power demands exceed what a single connector can supply.
Innovation Solution
Active cables with power sharing capabilities, utilizing multiple connectors with diodic or switched connections to prevent reverse current flow, allowing power to be drawn from multiple redundant sources, thereby reducing the power burden on individual connectors and enabling efficient redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active cable circuitry is provided in each connector to enable redundancy, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases beyond what a single connector can supply
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple connectors are merged into a single active cable system where their power capabilities are combined. The patent describes a cable with multiple connectors (e.g., two connectors) that each can supply power, and these power sources are combined to collectively power the circuitry in a single connector, enabling redundancy without exceeding power limits of individual connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The connectors are designed to serve multiple functions: they can each independently supply power to the active cable circuitry, and they can each serve as potential active paths for data transmission. This multi-functionality allows any connector to take over if another fails, providing redundancy while distributing the power burden across multiple universal power sources.
2Reliability
If multiple redundant connectors are used to provide backup paths, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is segmented into multiple independent connectors, each capable of functioning as an active path. This segmentation allows the system to provide redundancy through modular units rather than a single complex connector, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The active cable with its control circuitry acts as an intermediary that manages multiple redundant connectors. The control logic automatically selects which connector is active and which is standby, simplifying the user interface while providing complex redundancy functionality behind the scenes.
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
This solution allows for efficient power allocation and reduced costs by enabling active cables to maintain connectivity during failures without the need for excessive power from individual connectors, ensuring continuous operation and reducing the complexity of redundant systems.
Implementation Method 1
using contacts in each of multiple redundant connectors to supply power to a component of said circuitry in the first connector via a corresponding diodic or switched connection that prevents reverse current flow
Data Source
AI summary
Active cables and communication methods can provide data path redundancy with power sharing. In one illustrative cable implementation, the cable includes a first connector with contacts to supply power to circuitry in the first connector; a second connector with contacts to supply power to a component of the circuitry in the first connector via a first connection that prevents reverse current flow; and a third connector with contacts to supply power to the same component via a second connection that prevents reverse current flow. An illustrative method implementation includes: using contacts of a first connector to supply power to circuitry in the first connector; and using contacts in each of multiple redundant connectors to supply power to a component of said circuitry in the first connector via a corresponding diodic or switched connection that prevents reverse current flow.