Staggered SSD Startup Group Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cumulative current draw of capacitors in arrays of solid state drives can lead to inefficient power supply failures in computer systems, especially as the number of drives increases, due to the high initial power consumption during startup.
Innovation Solution
Organizing solid state drives into startup groups and staggering the charging process by sending charge commands in a predefined order, with a predefined period of time between each group, to reduce the peak current draw from the shared power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all solid state drives charge their capacitors simultaneously at computer startup, then each drive receives adequate power for capacitor charging, but the cumulative current draw causes power supply failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the solid state drives into multiple startup groups (first startup group, second startup group, etc.) that charge their capacitors at different time intervals. This segmentation of the charging process reduces the peak cumulative current draw from the power supply while ensuring all drives eventually receive adequate power for capacitor charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic charging actions where drives in different startup groups charge their capacitors at staggered time intervals. The first startup group charges first, then after a predefined period, the second startup group charges, and so on. This periodic distribution of charging events reduces instantaneous current demand while maintaining overall system reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If solid state drives are organized into startup groups with staggered charging, then peak current draw is reduced, but startup process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action with predefined time intervals between startup groups. Each group charges sequentially rather than simultaneously, which reduces peak current draw. The predefined period balances the trade-off between reducing power demand and minimizing additional startup time, ensuring the staggered charging completes relatively quickly while protecting the power supply.
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 approach effectively reduces the overall current draw during computer startup, preventing power supply failures and ensuring stable operation even with large arrays of solid state drives.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor is included in the solid state drive. The capacitor provides a temporary charge to the volatile memory even after withdrawal of operational power for the solid state drive
Implementation Method 2
sending, by a storage device initiator, a charge command to a startup group to initiate charging of the capacitor of each solid state drive in the startup group
Data Source
AI summary
Reducing current draw of solid state drives from a shared power supply of a computer at computer startup, each SSD including computer memory, a capacitor, a disk controller, and a charge controller, the disk controller configured to enable the charge controller to charge the capacitor upon receiving a charge command, the SSDs organized into startup groups characterized by a position in a predefined startup order. Upon startup of the computer, beginning with a first startup group in the predefined startup order and until the last startup group in the predefined startup order has received a charge command, embodiments include, sending, by a storage device initiator, a charge command to a startup group to initiate charging of the capacitor of each solid state drive in the startup group and waiting a predefined period of time before sending another charge command to a next startup group in the predefined startup order.