Dynamic Power Allocation in USB PD Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In USB power delivery systems conforming to the USBPD standard, when multiple devices are connected, the existing systems often require the insertion and removal of USB ports to reallocate power, leading to inefficiencies and increased device size to accommodate higher power supply capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system with a common power unit and multiple USB ports, where a management unit dynamically allocates power based on actual consumption, detecting surplus power and reallocating it to other ports without the need for physical port manipulation, thereby increasing power efficiency and preventing unnecessary size increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the maximum power which can be supplied of the power supply device is increased, then the maximum power equal to or larger than the requested operation power can be assigned, but the size of the power supply device becomes physically large, and a problem of loss in portability occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply device dynamically adjusts the maximum power assigned to each USB port based on real-time power consumption monitoring. When a power reception device's actual power consumption is lower than the assigned maximum power, the system dynamically reallocates the surplus power to other ports, enabling the device to supply higher peak powers to individual ports without requiring a permanently oversized power supply unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power allocation parameters dynamically during operation. The management unit continuously monitors power consumption and adjusts the maximum power assignment for each USB port accordingly, allowing the same hardware to support different power distribution scenarios without physical modification or size increase.
2Power
If USB ports are taken out and inserted again to reallocate maximum power, then the maximum power equal to or larger than the requested operation power can be assigned to a specific power reception device, but the operation of taking out/inserting the USB ports becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply device performs self-service by automatically monitoring power consumption at each USB port and reallocating maximum power assignments without user intervention. The management unit detects when a power reception device is using less than its allocated maximum power and automatically increases the maximum power for other ports, eliminating the need for users to physically remove and reinsert USB cables to trigger reallocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the management unit continuously monitors actual power consumption from each USB port and uses this information to adjust maximum power assignments. This closed-loop control enables automatic power reallocation based on actual usage patterns, replacing the manual trial-and-error approach of removing and reinserting devices.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device in which shortening of system rise time is achieved. A power supply system conformed to a USBPD standard includes: a plurality of USB ports; a common power supply unit common to the plurality of USB ports; a plurality of power supply units corresponding to the plurality of USB ports, a plurality of controllers corresponding to the plurality of USB ports; and a management unit executing allocation of maximum power to be assigned to the plurality of USB ports in accordance with signals from the plurality of controllers. The management unit determines whether surplus power is generated in maximum power assigned to a first USB port by execution of the allocation of the maximum power and, when surplus power is generated, increases the maximum power assigned to a second USB port.