Staggered Power Module Layout for Lower 48V Server Delivery Loss

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing use of 48V input voltage in data center servers poses challenges for power supply architectures, particularly in two-stage power supply systems, where high current density and delivery losses occur due to the long distances between power modules and loads, affecting efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A power supply system with a staggered layout configuration, where preceding-stage and post-stage power supply regions are arranged around the load region in a staggered manner, reducing current density and delivery losses by optimizing the distribution of power modules and their connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the two-stage power supply architecture is adopted to reduce power module size and improve dynamic performance, then the power supply can meet growing demands for high dynamic performance, but the delivery path becomes longer and causes larger power losses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic performanceVSAvoiddelivery loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is divided into multiple independent power supply regions (first preceding-stage, first post-stage, second preceding-stage, second post-stage) distributed around the load region. Each region contains corresponding power supply modules that independently supply power to the load, segmenting the current delivery paths to reduce the length of each individual path and thereby reducing overall delivery losses while maintaining high dynamic performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If power modules are placed far from the load to accommodate layout requirements, then the power supply architecture can be simplified, but the delivery path resistance increases and causes larger losses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply architecture complexityVSAvoiddelivery loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing all power modules in a single linear arrangement or on one side of the load, the invention distributes power supply regions in multiple dimensions around the load region (first and second preceding-stage regions, first and second post-stage regions). This spatial distribution in multiple directions reduces the delivery path length and resistance without complicating the overall architecture, as each region independently supplies power along optimized paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of energy

If the distance between post-stage power supply modules and load is reduced to lower delivery loss, then power efficiency improves, but the layout becomes more constrained and harder to implement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery lossVSAvoidlayout implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is divided into multiple independent power supply regions (first preceding-stage, first post-stage, second preceding-stage, second post-stage) distributed around the load region. Each region contains corresponding power supply modules that independently supply power to the load, segmenting the current delivery paths to reduce the length of each individual path and thereby reducing overall delivery losses while maintaining high dynamic performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs an asymmetric layout where power supply regions are strategically positioned at different locations around the load region rather than in a symmetric pattern. The first and second preceding-stage and post-stage regions are arranged to optimize current distribution paths, with each region's position and size adjusted to minimize delivery losses while maintaining ease of manufacture and layout flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS20230411957A1Power supply system and power supply method

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention discloses a power supply system and a power supply method. The power supply system includes: a load region, a load disposed in the load region, at least two preceding-stage power supply regions disposed around the load region, preceding-stage power modules disposed in the at least two preceding-stage power supply regions, at least two post-stage power supply regions disposed around the load region, and post-stage power modules disposed in the at least two post-stage power supply regions. The at least two preceding-stage power supply regions and the at least two post-stage power supply regions are arranged in a staggered manner. The preceding-stage power module and the post-stage power module are cascaded to supply power to the load.