Series String Power Supply Voltage Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional series string power supply architecture is inadequate for precisely controlling individual load voltages in dynamic scenarios, such as modern microprocessors or light-emitting devices, leading to potential damage or failure due to uncontrolled voltage fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a revised series string architecture that includes overvoltage protection circuitry, voltage monitoring, and voltage regulation modules (VRMs) per load element or in sub-strings, with a central controller managing VRMs and optocouplers for precise voltage control and communication across the series string.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple series string architecture with a single PSU is used, then the cost is low and the structure is simple, but the individual load voltages cannot be precisely controlled and may fluctuate causing damage or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent voltage regulation modules (VRMs), each responsible for regulating the voltage to a specific load element or sub-string. This segmentation allows precise control of individual load voltages while maintaining the series string architecture, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If voltage regulation modules are added to each load element, then precise voltage control is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent load elements are grouped into sub-strings, and a single VRM is assigned to regulate the voltage to each sub-string. This merging approach reduces the total number of VRMs required compared to having one VRM per load element, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while still achieving precise voltage control through the hierarchical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements different levels of voltage regulation granularity - some sub-strings have dedicated VRMs while others share VRMs. This local quality approach allows the system to achieve precise voltage control where needed while using simpler shared regulation where load variations are less critical, optimizing the balance between measurement precision and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method, and system for actively controlling power in a series string load is provided. A number of conventional low-cost power supply units energize a number of voltage-regulation modules (VRMs) connected to each other in series. Each VRM generates a regulated output voltage using a pulse-wave modulated switching circuit, and provides the regulated output voltage to a number of load elements. Each VRM also sends signals to a central controller describing the output voltage applied to its connected load elements, and adjusts the output voltage applied to its connected load elements in response to signals received from the central controller. The supply voltage provided to individual load elements may thus be accurately and dynamically controlled during operation. Each load element may comprise a light-emitting device, a microprocessor, or a cryptographic integrated circuit with a plurality of processing cores. Optocouplers or load-shifters send signals across different supply voltage domains.