Wired-AND Synchronization for Power Device Startup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing redundant power systems face challenges in synchronizing power device startup due to overheating issues, poor heat dissipation, and increased current stress, particularly when the duty cycle is high, which affects system startup and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A power system with a synchronization signal line using a 'wired-AND' design, where each power device's control unit adjusts its on/off state based on the logic level of the synchronization signal line, ensuring that all devices are in a safe state before starting up, and dynamically adjusts the soft-start time based on output current to balance current distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the duty cycle is increased to achieve synchronization of multiple power devices, then the startup reliability is improved, but the heat dissipation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the duty cycle based on system conditions. The control unit monitors the startup state of power devices and dynamically modifies the duty cycle parameter to achieve synchronization while optimizing heat dissipation. This resolves the contradiction by making the duty cycle adaptive rather than fixed, allowing high duty cycles only when necessary for synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the duty cycle parameter dynamically during the startup process. By adjusting this key parameter based on the operational state of power devices, the system achieves synchronization (improving reliability) while controlling the duration of high-power states (managing heat dissipation).
2Reliability
If the duty cycle is increased to achieve synchronization of multiple power devices, then the startup reliability is improved, but the current stress on hardware circuits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the duty cycle based on real-time monitoring of power device startup states. This dynamic control ensures that high current stress is applied only when necessary for synchronization, rather than continuously, thereby reducing overall hardware stress while maintaining startup reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the control unit monitors the operational state of power devices and adjusts the duty cycle accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that current stress is optimized - applying sufficient stress to achieve synchronization but not excessive stress that would harm hardware.
3Temperature
If the duty cycle is set too low to improve heat dissipation, then the heat dissipation performance is improved, but the synchronization of power device output fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic duty cycle adjustment rather than a fixed low duty cycle. The control unit increases the duty cycle when synchronization is needed and reduces it when heat dissipation is the priority, thus achieving both goals at different times in the startup process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary high-duty-cycle operation to ensure all power devices start up synchronously before transitioning to lower duty cycles for heat dissipation. This preliminary action establishes reliable synchronization before optimizing for thermal performance.
4Reliability
If the duty cycle is set too high to ensure synchronization, then the synchronization reliability is improved, but the system complexity and design difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically adjusts the duty cycle based on monitored system conditions without requiring complex external control mechanisms. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system design while maintaining high synchronization reliability through adaptive control.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a power system and a control method thereof. The power system includes a plurality of power devices and a physical wire, where each power device includes a signal pin, a power unit and a control unit. The physical wire is connected to the signal pin of each power device to constitute a synchronization signal line. The logic level of the synchronization signal line is based on the result of wired-AND logic operation according to logic levels of the signal pin of each power device. The control unit controls the signal pin's logic level based on an operating state of the power unit. When any one of the power devices is just turned on, its control unit adjusts an on/off state of the power unit according to the logic level of the synchronization signal line.