Dynamic USB Power Profile Adjustment for Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional USB power delivery architectures are inefficient as they maintain a fixed power profile regardless of system conditions, leading to poor power efficiency, especially at lower power states or during idle periods, and result in continuous power loss even when the system is in a low power state.
Innovation Solution
A power delivery architecture that dynamically adjusts the USB power profile based on system conditions such as power state, workload, temperature, and time of use by sending control data to the PD source to change the output voltage and current, potentially shutting down or restoring AC-DC conversion, thereby optimizing power usage and reducing thermal issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a fixed power profile is maintained after USB PD contract negotiation, then the power delivery architecture is simple to implement, but system efficiency deteriorates due to continuous power loss and poor efficiency at lower power states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power profile adjustment by enabling the electronic device to send control data to the PD source after contract negotiation, allowing the VBUS voltage to be changed from a constant level to a dynamically adjustable parameter based on operational power demand and system conditions. This resolves the contradiction by transforming the static power delivery architecture into a dynamic one that adapts to varying power states, reducing power loss while managing complexity through controlled adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the VBUS voltage parameter from a fixed value to a variable that can be adjusted based on power state. The electronic device monitors system conditions and sends control data to modify the VBUS voltage level, enabling the system to operate at optimal efficiency points. This parameter change approach allows the system to reduce power loss by matching voltage levels to actual power demands while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized control mechanisms.
2Power
If VBUS voltage is maintained at a constant high level, then power delivery capability is maximized, but battery charger efficiency deteriorates due to large voltage difference between input and battery voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic VBUS voltage adjustment that adapts to battery charging requirements. Instead of maintaining a constant high VBUS voltage, the system dynamically changes the voltage level to match the battery's charging needs, reducing the voltage difference across the battery charger and improving efficiency. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high power delivery capability when needed while optimizing charger efficiency during charging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the VBUS voltage from a fixed high level to a variable parameter that adjusts based on charging state. By monitoring battery voltage and charging requirements, the system modifies the VBUS voltage to minimize the voltage differential across the battery charger, thereby reducing energy loss and improving overall charging efficiency while preserving the ability to deliver high power when required.
3Reliability
If AC-DC conversion is continuously active in PD source, then power is always available to the electronic device, but power consumption increases during idle and standby states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or on-demand AC-DC conversion activation based on power state. Instead of continuous operation, the PD source activates AC-DC conversion only when the electronic device transitions to an active state requiring power, and deactivates it during idle or standby states. This periodic action approach maintains power availability reliability when needed while dramatically reducing power consumption during low-activity periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the system to self-manage power conversion activation through automatic detection of power state changes. The electronic device monitors its own power requirements and automatically triggers AC-DC conversion activation or deactivation in the PD source, eliminating the need for continuous operation. This self-service mechanism ensures power availability when required while minimizing energy waste during idle states through automatic adaptation to system conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A power delivery architecture is described that improves system voltage conversion and operational efficiency. The power delivery architecture performs monitoring of various system conditions such as a current power state, a current power policy setting, workload conditions, component temperatures, a state of charge of a battery, etc. The power delivery architecture may adjust the power profile provided by a power delivery source, which may result in an adjustment to the VBUS voltage and/or current when a USB-based power delivery architecture is implemented. The power delivery architecture may also adjust a mode of operation of an onboard battery charger.