Single-board Power Supply Structure with Digital Sequence Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current single-board power supply structures for communication systems are complex due to varied voltage requirements, lack effective monitoring capabilities, and often require specialized sequence control chips, leading to potential damage from overvoltage due to limited upper-layer machine monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A single-board power supply structure incorporating an operational processor and DC/DC converter that sends control signals to monitor and adjust output voltage, converting bus voltage into required voltages and implementing precise sequence control without a dedicated sequence control chip.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple analog converters are used to meet varied voltage requirements, then voltage conversion capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage conversion capabilityVSAvoidpower supply structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal digital DC/DC converter that can be configured to output multiple different voltages through software control rather than requiring separate analog converters for each voltage level. This multi-functional approach allows a single converter to replace multiple specialized converters, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to provide various voltage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes digital control to dynamically change the output voltage parameters of the DC/DC converter based on system requirements. By changing control parameters through software rather than hardware reconfiguration, the system can adapt to different voltage needs without adding physical converter components, thereby simplifying the power supply structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If analog DC/DC converters are used for voltage conversion, then voltage conversion is achieved, but monitoring capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage conversion functionVSAvoidmonitoring capability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the microcontroller continuously monitors the output voltage of the DC/DC converter and adjusts control parameters accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures real-time monitoring of power supply status, enabling the system to detect and respond to overvoltage conditions, thereby improving reliability while maintaining voltage conversion capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a microcontroller as an intermediary between the DC/DC converter and the monitoring system. This intermediary component provides the monitoring capability that analog converters lack, allowing the system to achieve both voltage conversion and effective monitoring functions through the coordinating role of the microcontroller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If sequence control chip is added for current sequence requirements, then sequence control capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequence control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sequence control function with the microcontroller that already exists for monitoring and voltage regulation. By combining multiple control functions (monitoring, voltage regulation, and sequence control) into a single microcontroller unit, the system achieves sequence control capability without adding separate control chips, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The microcontroller is designed to perform multiple functions including voltage monitoring, voltage regulation control, and sequence control of power supply currents. This multi-functional approach allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized chips, simplifying the overall control structure while maintaining comprehensive control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 uniform, timely, and effective monitoring and adjustment of power supply outputs, preventing overvoltage damage and simplifying sequence control within the single-board power supply system.

Implementation Method 1

converting bus voltage into required voltages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3487054A1Single-board power supply structure and method for providing power supply
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3487054A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3487054A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3487054A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A single-board power supply structure and a method for providing a power supply are provided. An operational processor sends control signals capable of controlling the output of the power supply to a DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter converts a received bus voltage into a required power supply voltage according to the received control signals. The operational processor may further monitor the output of the power supply and report the monitored result to a connected upper-layer machine, and may also control the sequence of a plurality of the outputs of the power supply converted by the DC/DC converter by controlling the time for sending the control signals. The structure and the method provided by the present invention can both uniformly, timely, and effectively monitor the output of the single-board power supply.