Voltage Regulator Input Current Calculation via Output Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information handling systems face challenges in accurately measuring input current in voltage regulators due to inherent power losses added by measurement circuitry, which affects power management efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a voltage regulator, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and a controller that uses curve-fit information to calculate input current based on output power measurements, eliminating the need for direct input current sensing and reducing power losses by employing polynomial coefficients to approximate power efficiency as a function of measured output current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurement circuitry is added to measure input current, then measurement capability is improved, but power losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the power path by measuring output current instead of directly measuring input current. The controller calculates input current indirectly using efficiency data, removing the need for measurement circuitry in the high-current input path and eliminating the associated power losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces efficiency data as an intermediary parameter to bridge the relationship between output current and input current. By using efficiency curves stored in memory, the system can calculate input current from output current measurements without direct input current sensing, avoiding the power loss problem.
2Measurement precision
If sense resistors are used to measure input current, then measurement accuracy is improved, but power losses and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes sense resistors from the input current path by extracting the measurement to the output side. The controller measures output current and uses efficiency data to calculate input current, eliminating the need for sense resistors and reducing both power losses and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the physical sense resistor measurement mechanism with a computational approach. Instead of using hardware-based current sensing, the system uses software-based calculation combining efficiency curves with output current measurements to determine input current.
3Speed
If direct input current sensing is implemented, then real-time measurement is improved, but power management efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the input path to the output path, maintaining real-time measurement capability through output current sensing while avoiding the power losses associated with input path measurement. The controller continuously calculates input current based on output measurements and efficiency data.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include an information handling resource, a voltage regulator, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and a controller. The voltage regulator may be coupled to the information handling resource and configured to deliver electrical energy to the information handling resource. The a non-transitory computer-readable medium may have stored thereon curve fit information, the curve fit information including coefficients of a polynomial for approximating a parameter indicative of the power efficiency of the voltage regulator as a function of a measured output current of the voltage regulator. The controller may be coupled to the voltage regulator and configured to receive information indicative of an output power of the voltage regulator and, based on the information indicative of an output power of the voltage regulator and the curve fit information, calculate an input current of the voltage regulator.