KR20050003993A - Power management topologies - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A power management circuit network is provided to allow for only one power conversion to provide a controllable DC output to a system load and a charger, or permit a controllable DC power source and a battery to be coupled in parallel with each other so as to supply power to a system load. CONSTITUTION: A power management circuit network comprises a first path(114) connected to a controllable DC power source; a second path(118) connected to a charger; a third path(121) connected to a system load; a common node(116) where the first to third paths are connected; a first switch(SW1) connected to the first path so as to allow for selective connection of the controllable DC power source to the system load through the common node; and a second switch(SW2) connected to the second path so as to allow for selective connection of the charger to the common node.

Description

Power Management Network {POWER MANAGEMENT TOPOLOGIES}

The present invention relates to a power management system, and more particularly to various power management circuitry for electronic devices. Various portable electronic devices have a power supply system that monitors, controls, and directs power to power system loads of the electronic device from various power sources. Such power supplies generally include a fixed output ACDC adapter and one or more rechargeable chargers. The power supply system includes a power conversion block, such as a DC-DC converter, that converts the fixed DC voltage provided by the ACDC adapter into a well regulated output DC voltage to charge the charger.

The power supply system operates to supply power from the ACDC adapter or main charger to the system. Also, charger charging is performed when appropriate conditions are met. Typically, the power supply system has an ACDC power switch for selectively connecting an ACDC adapter to the system. It also has a charger switch for selectively connecting the main charger to the system, and a charging switch capable of connecting the main charger to the output of the DC-DC converter for charging. When power is supplied from the ACDC adapter to the system, the ACDC power switch is closed, the charger switch is opened, and the charge switch can be opened or closed. In contrast, when power is supplied from the charger to the system, the charger switch is closed and the ACDC power switch and charge switch are opened.

In order to charge the charger to its maximum operating voltage, the output voltage of the ACDC adapter is selected such that it is at least 1 to 2 V higher than the charger operating maximum voltage. Since the output voltage of the charger varies depending on its state of charge, the output voltage of the ACDC adapter has a fixed value, so the ACDC adapter and charger cannot in some cases be connected in parallel to power the system load. This difference in voltage can cause undesirable internal current flow from the high voltage source (ACDC adapter) to the low voltage source (charger). As a result, to meet the instantaneous high power demands of the system, ACDC adapters are typically made for greater capacity, which in turn results in a significant increase in the cost of the power supply system.

In addition, since the output voltage of the ACDC adapter is fixed, the output voltage cannot be used to charge the charger responsible for good charge voltage and current control. At this time. A power conversion process of the second stage performed by the DC-DC converter is necessarily required. This second stage of power conversion leads to an increase in costs and a reduction in the overall efficiency of the power supply system.

Thus, in the prior art of the power management network, only one power conversion is possible to supply a controllable DC output to the system load and the charger, or a controllable DC power supply and the charger power the system load. In order to be able to connect in parallel, or both.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional needs, and enables only one power conversion to supply a controllable DC output to the system load and the charger, or to control the controllable DC power supply and the charger to the system load. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power management network that can be connected in parallel in order to supply the.

1 is a high-level block diagram of an electronic device having a power supply network including a controllable DC power supply and a power management control circuit according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a high level block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a power supply network of an electronic device according to FIG. 1 when the controllable DC power supply is a controllable adapter. FIG.

3 is a high level block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the power supply network of the electronic device according to FIG. 1 when the controllable DC power supply is a DC-DC converter capable of receiving power from a fixed output adapter.

4 is an adapter in which the controllable DC power supply is controllable, the charger power source comprising a plurality of chargers, and wherein the power supply system includes an adapter sense resistor, a system sense resistor, and a sense resistor for an individual charger. Case, a more detailed block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the power supply network of FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the controllable DC power supply being a controllable adapter, wherein the charger power supply includes a plurality of chargers, and wherein the power supply system includes an adapter sense resistor and a sense resistor for an individual charger. A more detailed block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a power supply network.

FIG. 6 shows the controllable DC power supply being a controllable adapter, wherein the charger power source includes a plurality of chargers, and wherein the power supply system includes a system sense resistor and a sense resistor for an individual charger. A more detailed block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a power supply network.

7 is a case where the controllable DC power supply is a controllable adapter, the charger power source includes a plurality of chargers, and the power supply system includes an adapter sense resistor and one charger sense resistor for the charger power source. FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the power supply network of FIG. 2.

8 is a case where the controllable DC power supply is a controllable adapter, the charger power source includes a plurality of chargers, and the power supply system includes a system sense resistor and one charger sense resistor for the plurality of chargers. FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the power supply network of FIG. 2.

9 is a controllable DC power supply controllable adapter, the charger power supply comprising a plurality of chargers, the power supply system further comprising an adapter sense resistor, a system sense resistor and one charger sense resistor for an individual charger. If included, a more detailed block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the power supply network of FIG. 3.

10 shows that the controllable DC power supply is a DC-DC converter, the charger power source includes a plurality of chargers, and the power supply system is a DC-DC converter sense resistor located at an output terminal of the DC-DC converter, and A more detailed block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the power supply network of FIG. 3 when including a sense resistor for an individual charger.

FIG. 11 illustrates that the controllable DC power supply is a DC-DC converter, the charger power source includes a plurality of chargers, and the power supply system includes a system sense resistor and a sense resistor for an individual charger. A more detailed block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the power supply network of FIG.

12 shows that the controllable DC power supply is a DC-DC converter, the charger power source includes a plurality of chargers, and the power supply system includes an adapter sense resistor and one charger sense resistor for the charger power source. Case, a more detailed block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the power supply network of FIG.

13 shows that the controllable DC power supply is a DC-DC converter, the charger power source includes a plurality of chargers, and the power supply system includes a system sense resistor and one charger sense resistor for the charger power source. Case, a more detailed block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the power supply network of FIG.

14 shows that the controllable DC power supply is a DC-DC converter, the charger power source includes a plurality of chargers, and wherein the power supply system includes a DC-DC converter sense resistor located at an output terminal of the DC-DC converter; A more detailed block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the power supply network of FIG. 3 when including one charger sense resistor for the charger power source.

15 shows that the controllable DC power supply is a DC-DC converter, the charger power source includes a plurality of chargers, and the power supply system includes an adapter sense resistor located at an output terminal of a fixed adapter, and an individual charger. A more detailed block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the power supply network of FIG. 3 when including a sense resistor.

The power supply network according to the present invention comprises: a first path implemented to be connected to a controllable DC power source; A second path implemented to be connected to the charger; A third path implemented to be connected to the system load, wherein the first path, the second path, and the third path are connected to one common node; A first switch coupled to a first path to selectively connect a controllable DC power supply to a system load via a common node; And a second switch connected to the second path to selectively connect the charger to the common node.

In another embodiment of the power supply network according to the present invention, there is provided a controllable DC power supply; A first path coupled to the controllable DC power source; A second path implemented to be connected to the charger; A third path implemented to be connected to the system load, wherein the first path, the second path, and the third path are connected to one common node; A first switch coupled to a first path to selectively connect a controllable DC power supply to a system load via a common node; And a second switch connected to the second path to selectively connect the charger to the common node.

According to yet another embodiment, the present invention provides an electronic device including a power supply network to instruct to supply power to various components of the electronic device. According to the present invention, a power supply network included in an electronic device includes: a first path implemented to be connected to a controllable DC power supply; A second path implemented to be connected to the charger; A third path implemented to be connected to the system load, wherein the first path, the second path, and the third path are connected to one common node; A first switch coupled to a first path to selectively connect a controllable DC power supply to a system load via a common node; And a second switch connected to the second path to selectively connect the charger to the common node.

According to another embodiment, an electronic device according to the present invention comprises: a controllable DC power supply; A first path coupled to the controllable DC power source; A second path implemented to be connected to the charger; A third path implemented to be connected to the system load, wherein the first path, the second path, and the third path are connected to one common node; A first switch coupled to a first path to selectively connect a controllable DC power supply to a system load via a common node; And a second switch connected to the second path to selectively connect the charger to the common node, wherein the first switch and the second switch have a conducting state in response to a control signal applied from the power management control circuit. .

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of supplying power to a system load is provided. The method according to the invention comprises providing power from a DC power supply controllable in a first power supply mode to a system load and from a DC power supply controllable in a second power supply mode to a system load and a charger. do.

In another embodiment of the present invention, another power supply method for a system load is provided. The method according to the invention comprises receiving the first power level from a first power supply and converting the first power level into a dynamically controllable output DC power level and in the first power supply mode the output DC power. Providing a level to the system load.

In another embodiment of the present invention, another method for supplying power to a system load is provided. The method according to the invention provides a controllable DC power supply, controls an output power parameter of the controllable DC power supply based on at least one input signal and controls the power to supply a system load. Selecting a first power supply mode in which a possible DC power supply and a charger are connected in parallel.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a power supply system includes a controllable DC power supply having a dynamically controllable output power parameter, and an output power parameter, wherein the controllable DC power supply supplies power to the system load. And a power management control circuit for selecting a first power supply mode.

1 illustrates a system load 110 that can be powered from a controllable DC power source 104, a charger 105, or both connected in parallel in case future needs arise as described in more detail herein. A simplified block diagram of an electronic device 100 having a structure is shown. A table 180 is also shown to indicate the positions of the switches SW1 and SW2 in the various power supply modes. In one embodiment according to the present invention, controllable DC power supply 104 provides a control that provides only the necessary power conversion to distribute power to system load 110 and charger 105 as described in more detail later. It could be a possible adapter, for example an ACDC adapter. On the other hand, in other power supply systems, the necessary requirements for the separate power conversion steps typically used, such as a DC-DC converter which provides a well controlled output to the charger for charging, are omitted in this case.

The electronic device 100 may be various types of devices known in the art such as a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a power tool, an electric vehicle, and the like. Can be. The controllable DC power supply 104 provides a dynamic controllable DC output from a controllable adapter or a DC-DC converter or the like as described below in various embodiments. The controllable DC power supply 104 may be separate from or coupled to the electronic device 100. The charger 105 may include one or a plurality of chargers. In this case, the charger may be a lithium ion, nickel-cadmium, nickel metal composite charger, or various other types of rechargeable chargers.

The controllable DC power supply 104 may be selectively connected to the node 116 via the first switch SW1 and the path 114. The charger 105 may be selectively connected to the node 116 via the second switch SW2 and the path 118. System load 110 may also be coupled to node 116 via path 121.

In general, the power management control circuit 130 according to the present invention monitors, controls, and directs each other's power from individual power sources 104 and 105 to the system load 110 and charger charging under various conditions. The power management control circuit 130 may accept various input signals along the path 141. Such input signals may represent various load conditions, supply conditions, and / or command signals. The supply condition of the charger 105 may be a power condition such as an output voltage level or an output current level of the charger 105. Similarly, the supply condition of the controllable DC power supply 104 may be a power condition such as an output voltage level or an output current level of the power supply 104. The load condition of the system load 110 may be a power condition such as the required voltage level or the required current level of the system load at any particular moment. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are various ways to provide the above-described input signals to the power management control circuit 130. For example, a current sense resistor in series with each of the power paths 114, 118, 121 may be provided to provide a signal indicative of the current level along each path.

In general, the power management control circuit 130 can dynamically adjust the output parameters of the controllable DC power supply 104, such as the output voltage level, via the output control signal passing through the path 133, and control the path 20. By controlling the states of the switches SW1 and SW2 through the passing output control signal, it is possible to select among a plurality of power supply modes.

In one embodiment of the invention, power management control circuit 130 is controllable DC power supply 104 and charger 105 to power system load 110 as detailed in table 180. There is an advantage in that the power supply mode 185 can be selected such that can be connected in parallel. The problem with connecting the controllable DC power supply 104 and the charger 105 in parallel is that the difference in voltage levels between them results in undesirable internal currents flowing from the higher voltage source to the lower voltage source. .

This undesirable flow of internal current can be prevented by a unidirectional or optional unidirectional switch which allows the current to flow in only one direction and not in the other. For example, as shown by an arrow in the table 180 indicating the flow of current allowed in the buffer charger supply mode 185 and as described below, the second switch SW2 may be an optional single direction switch, The first switch SW1 may be a single direction switch. In addition, since the charger voltage changes depending on the state of charge, for example, the controllable DC power supply 104 and the charger ( When undesirable flow of internal current between 105 is controlled, the second switch SW2 may comprise a bidirectional discharge switch.

This parallel supply mode 185 may be selected when instructed by a command signal received via path 141. This supply mode 185 may also be selected in response to a power crisis condition. The power crisis condition is when the system load 110 receives a request for a load that exceeds the maximum power available individually from the controllable DC power supply 104 and exceeds the maximum power available individually from the charger 105. Occurs. However, the power supplies may add up enough power to meet the load requirements of the system load 110 for the required period in total. Thus, the controllable DC power supply 104 need not be made excessively large to prepare for this situation.

In such a parallel power supply mode 185, the power management control circuit 130 conducts mutual conduction between the controllable DC power supply 104 and the charger power supply 105 by controlling the states of the switches SW1 and SW2. There is an advantage that can be prevented. The second switch SW2 may optionally be a single direction switch, and the first switch SW1 may be a single direction switch. That is, the second switch SW2 may allow current to flow in one direction only when the switch is closed only in the selected power supply mode or when the second switch SW2 is open. The system load 110 is powered only from the controllable DC power supply 104, so that the first switch SW1 is closed and no charging occurs, i.e. in the power supply mode 181. The second switch SW2 may be open.

The second switch SW2 generally has a first discharge short circuit position that allows current to flow only from the charger. For example, in this first discharge short-circuit position, current is allowed to flow from the charger 105 to the system load 110, but current is not allowed to flow to the charger 105 with the controllable DC power supply 104. Do not. In addition, the second switch SW2 has a second charging short-circuit position which allows the current to flow only to the charger. For example, in this second charging short-circuit position the current is only allowed to flow from the controllable DC power supply 104 to the charger 105, while the current is allowed to flow from the charger 105 to the system load 110. It doesn't work. The first switch SW1 may be a unidirectional switch that allows current to flow only from the controllable DC power supply 104 to the node 116 upon short circuit.

Thus, in a parallel power supply mode 185 in which both the controllable DC power supply 104 and the charger 105 supply power to the system load 110, the second switch SW2 is in the first discharge position. It may be shorted, and the first switch SW1 may be shorted. Thus, the charger 105 can supply current to the system load 110, but undesirable internal current flow from the controllable DC power supply 104 to the charger 105 is prevented by the second switch SW2. . In addition, undesirable internal current flow from the charger 105 to the DC power source 104 is prevented by a single direction switch SW1.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the optional single direction switch can be implemented in various forms. For example, a pair of switches connected in series with each other and a diode pair association connected in parallel with each switch may be used. While shorted switches allow current to flow in a constant direction, certain diodes can prevent current from flowing in the opposite direction.

Advantageously, the power management control circuit 130 may select another power supply mode 181 or 183 in which the controllable DC power supply 104 supplies power to the system load 110. In such a case, the charger 105 may be charged (supply mode 183 of table 180) or not charged (supply mode 181 of table 180). In such power supply modes, one of the input signals to the power management circuit 130 along the path 114 may represent a power demand of the system load, such as a voltage request or a current request. The power management control circuit 130 responds to the signal to adjust the output parameters of the controllable DC power supply 104, such as the output voltage level, output current level, etc., to meet the needs of the system load 110. For example, the power management control circuit 130 adjusts the output voltage level of the controllable DC power supply 104 to be within a predetermined voltage requirement limit of the system load 110. By doing so, power loss and dissipation are limited.

In FIG. 2, the controllable DC power supply 104 of FIG. 1 may be the controllable adapter 104a. In this case, a conversion step necessary to power the charger 105 for system load 110 and charging, for example, a power conversion step such as conversion from an input voltage to a controllable output DC voltage for the controller adapter. It has the advantage of going through it only once. In this case, for example, a separate power conversion step such as a conversion step from the DC-DC converter to the charger for charging is not adopted to improve power efficiency. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, as described above, the buffer charger supply mode may or may not be used as shown in table 180, depending on the needs of the desired power supply system.

Unlike the controllable adapter 104a, the other components of the power supply system of FIG. 2 are similar to those of FIG. 1 and are classified as such. Accordingly, in order to clearly describe the present invention, overlapping descriptions of the components will be omitted. The controllable adapter 104a also receives a conventional AC voltage and is controllable to convert the conventional AC voltage to a controllable DC voltage level in response to a control signal transmitted from the power management control circuit 130 through the path 133. It may be an ACDC adapter. Parameters of controllable adapter 104a controlled by power management control circuit 130 include, but are not limited to, output voltage, maximum output power, maximum output current, startup time, startup overview, and the like. The output voltage of the controllable adapter 104a can be dynamically adjusted by being controlled by the power management control circuit 130.

In FIG. 3, the controllable DC power supply of FIG. 1 may be a DC-DC converter 104b coupled to the path 114. The first switch SW1 and the fixed adapter 302 are also connected to the path 114. It can be seen that the first switch SW1 is also connected to the path 114 between the DC-DC converter 104b and the node 116. Instead, the first switch SW1 may be connected between the fixed adapter 302 and the DC-DC converter 104b along the path 114, as described later in FIGS. 9-15.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, two power conversions are performed instead of one power conversion as described in FIG. 2. That is, the power conversion of the fixed adapter 302 and the DC-DC converter 104b. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the power supply system operates in a buffer charger supply mode 185 that causes the charger 105 and controllable DC power supply 104b to simultaneously provide power to the system load 110 as described above. Can be. Unlike the DC-DC converter 104b and the fixed adapter 302, the other components of the power supply system of FIG. 3 are similar to those of FIG. 1 and classified as such. Accordingly, in order to clearly describe the present invention, overlapping descriptions of the components will be omitted.

The DC-DC converter 104b may be various kinds of converters controlled by various control signals from the power management control circuit 130 through the path 303. In one embodiment, the DC-DC converter 104b is a buck converter having a high side switch, a low side switch, and an LC filter, which are known in the art. Can be. The control signal from the power management control circuit 130 may be a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The width of the pulse width modulated signal is "switched on" when the high side switch is on and the low side switch is off, and the "switched off" state when the high side switch is off and the low side switch is on. The control period is controlled, thereby controlling the output voltage and current level of the DC-DC converter 104b.

4-8 show various embodiments of a power supply system according to the present invention having a controllable DC power supply 104 and a controllable adapter 104a serving as two chargers (chargers A and B). Is shown. As such, the embodiments of FIGS. 4-8 perform one power conversion by controllable adapter 104a that powers system load 110 and charger 105. The one-time power conversion embodiment may be used independently or in conjunction with a buffer charger power supply mode that enables both the charger and controllable DC power power supply as described above to power system load 110. .

In contrast, the details described in accordance with the invention in FIGS. 9 to 15 have a controllable DC-DC converter 104b which serves as a controllable DC power supply 104 and also comprises two chargers, charger A Separate embodiments are shown having B and B. FIG. Accordingly, the embodiments of FIGS. 9-15 perform at least two power conversions by the fixed adapter 302 and the DC-DC converter 104b.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 has all the functions as described above in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the embodiment of FIG. 4 may or may not have the buffer charger power supply mode described above, which allows both the charger and controllable DC power supply to provide power to the system load 110 in parallel. For example, a particular power supply system may desire power conversion by only once and may not be related to the buffer charger power supply mode.

Some of the components of FIG. 4 are similar to the corresponding components of FIG. 2 and are thus classified similarly. Accordingly, any repetitive description of the function or repetition of components will be omitted for clarity. In general, any one or combination of controllable ACDC adapter 104a, charger A, or charger B at any point in time, as controlled by power management control circuit 130, provides power to system load 110. can do. System load 110 receives power via path 121 as shown at node 116. Controllable adapter 104a may be selectively coupled to node 116 via first switch SW1 and path 114. Charger A may be selectively connected to node 116 via second A switch SW2A and path 118a. Similarly, charger B may be selectively connected to node 116 via second B switch SW2B and path 118b. The first switch SW1 may be a standalone external switch. The first switch SW1 may also be a single direction switch as described above. The second switches SW2A and SW2B may be stand-alone switches, for example, switches respectively built in the charger packs 10a and 11a for extending the charger life. The use of power switches built into the charger pack can reduce the number of power switches and their associated power consumption. The second switches SW2A, SW2B may also be optional single direction switches as described above.

As implied above, the power management control circuit 130 may receive various input signals through various paths. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the adapter sense resistor 4, the system sense resistor 3, the charger A sense resistor 7 and the charger B sense resistor 5 are input signals representing the current levels along their respective power paths. To the power management control circuit 130. For example, the adapter sense resistor 4 provides a data signal representative of the current flow along the path 114 from the controllable adapter 104a. The system sense resistor 3 provides a data signal representative of the current flow through the system load 110 along the path 121 from any combination of power sources. The charger A sense resistor 7 provides a data signal indicative of the current flow along the path 118a from or to the charger A. Finally, charger B sense resistor 5 provides a data signal indicative of the current flow along path 118b from or to charger B.

In addition, input signals indicative of the voltage levels of charger A (VFB_A), charger B (VFB_B) and system load VFB_SYS can also be input to power management control circuit 130. Moreover, input signals such as command and data signals, for example, may be input from the main power management unit (PMU) 12 to the power management circuit 130 via a host bus 22. . The PMU 12 is configured to operate various power management paths as known from the prior art. The input signals from the PMU 12 may include charge current, charge voltage, adapter control set voltage, adapter power limit, adapter current limit, adapter present, charger present and excessive voltage, excessive temperature, excessive current charge or adapter, adapter 104a. ) Or a number of warning signals, such as excessive power to the system 110, but is not limited thereto. The main bus 22 can be any number of wires and can carry any combination of analog and digital command signals. For example, if PMU 12 is implemented to drive an SM bus protocol path, main bus 22 may be an SM bus. The PMU 12 may be implemented as a separate component or embedded within a more complex processing unit of the electronic device 100.

In addition, charger bus 24 for chargers A and B may provide separate information for power management control circuit 130. The information provided via the bus 24 may represent various parameters such as, but not limited to, current charging, voltage charging, charger presence and many warning signals such as excessive voltage, excessive temperature, excessive current.

With respect to the power management control circuit 130, there is a main interface 13, a plurality of current sense amplifiers 14, 15, 17, 18, associated control and data paths, And decision circuit 16. The decision circuit 16 may further comprise a selector circuit 409 which provides a series of first output signals via the bus 20 to control the states of the switches SW1, SW2A, SW2B. Decision circuit 16 may also include a control circuit 411 that provides a series of second output signals through path 133 to control the output parameter of controllable adapter 104a.

The main interface 13 is a general interface implemented to receive a series of input signals from the PMU 12 and output the converted series of signals to the decision circuit 16 via the internal signal bus 23. The signals provided to decision circuit 16 include voltage and current limits for charger A, charger B, controllable adapter 104a and system load 110. The primary interface 13 can accept analog or digital signals from the PMU 12.

If the PMU 12 provides a digital signal, the primary interface 13 may be various digital interfaces, such as an SM bus or an I2C interface. In this case, a multiplexer (MUX) and a digital to analogue (DAC) may be provided to the interface 13 to convert digital into an analog signal and provide an appropriate number of analog signals to the decision circuit 16. Can be. The MUX holds any number of channels that depends in part on the number of signals provided to the decision circuit 16.

Since the sense resistors are typically very small, the plurality of current sense amplifiers 14, 15, 17, 18 amplify the signals delivered from the respective sense resistors 3, 4, 5, 7. For example, the sense amplifier 14 amplifies the voltage drop occurring across the system sense resistor 3 and provides an ISYS signal representing the current flow along the path 121. The sense amplifier 15 amplifies the voltage drop occurring across the adapter sense resistor 4 and provides an IAD signal indicative of the current flow along the path 114. The sense amplifier 17 amplifies the voltage drop occurring across the adapter charger B sense resistor 5 and provides an ICDB signal indicative of current flow along the path 118b. Finally, the sense amplifier 18 amplifies the voltage drop occurring across the adapter charger A sense resistor 7 and provides an ICDA signal representing the current flow along the path 118a.

ISYS, IAD, ICDB, and ICDA signals from the respective sense amplifiers 14, 15, 17 and 18 are then provided to the decision circuit 16, in particular to the control circuit 411 which is part of the decision circuit 16. Is provided. In addition, the VFB_SYS signal representing the voltage level of the system load 110, the VFB_B signal representing the voltage level of the charger B and the VFB_A signal representing the voltage level of the charger A are also provided to the decision circuit 16, in particular the decision circuit 16. It is provided to the control circuit 411 that is part of.

The control circuit 411 accepts these input signals ISYS, IAD, ICDB, ICDA, VFB_SYS, VFB_B, VFB_A and compares these signals to various threshold levels as provided by, for example, PMU 12. Can be. Based on such a comparison, the control circuit 411 provides a series of first output signals to control an output parameter, such as the output voltage level of the adapter 104a via the adapter control bus 133.

In order for the power supply system to perform various tasks as described above in FIGS. 1 and 2, a series of first output signals control the output parameters of one or more controllable adapters 104a. In addition, such tasks may also include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following:

1) when requested to provide charging current to charge charger power 105, providing all necessary adapter current to the maximum output current level of the adapter or to the power supply limit of system load 110;

2) limiting the total amount of charging current delivered to charger 105 during the charging mode to the difference between the maximum output current level of adapter 104a and the required current of system load 110;

3) providing the maximum charging current to the individual chargers (chargers A and B) while none of the chargers reach the maximum charging voltage level;

4) providing the maximum charge current for the lowest voltage charger while none of the chargers reach the maximum charge voltage level; And

5) To provide the system load 110 with a set maximum supply voltage if there is no charger or no charging request.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the control circuit 411, which is part of the decision circuit 16, may be implemented in a variety of ways, such as hardware alone, software only, or some combination thereof in order to realize the function. For example, in the case of a hardware configuration, the control circuit 411 has a plurality of errors to compare the signals ISYS, IAD, ICDB, ICDA, VFB_SYS, VFB_B, VFB_A and the associated maximum threshold level for each parameter checked. It may include amplifiers. Multiple error amplifiers may be implemented with analog "connected OR" circuitry, such that an error amplifier for the first time detecting a condition exceeding the relevant maximum level controls the command signal for controllable adapter 104a. In such a case, if the maximum threshold is reached, an appropriate output signal may be sent to controllable adapter 104a, for example, to reduce the output power parameter of adapter 104a.

The second series of output signals provided by the decision circuit 16 via the selector output bus 20 control the states of the switches SW1, SW2, SW3 to cause the power supply system to have various power supply modes. do. The series of second output signals may be provided by the selector circuit 409 of the decision circuit 16. As a result, the various power paths connecting the power supply (adapter 104a, charger A and charger B) to the system load 110 and to each other (e.g. between chargers) are subject to substantial power supply conditions, situations. And requests from PMU 12. Various hardware and / or software may be used to process various input signals to the selector circuit 409 that is part of the decision circuit 16 in accordance with a particular processing algorithm. The algorithm should be able to determine appropriate drive signals for driving the switches SW1, SW2A, SW2B on or off in order to perform various tasks including at least one of the following tasks. The task to be performed is not limited to the following:

1) ensuring that power supply to the system load 110 is not interrupted as long as there is at least one power source (ACDC adapter 104a, charger A, charger B);

2) connecting the appropriate charger or chargers to the charging path as required by PMU 12;

3) connecting the appropriate charger or chargers to the discharge path to power the system load 110 as required by the PMU 12;

4) avoiding mutual conduction between chargers when a large number of chargers are connected in parallel and between the ACDC adapter and chargers in parallel power supply mode;

5) to independently resolve power emergencies, such as connecting / disconnecting power sources, short circuits and the like; And

6) Independently and securely managing the power supply system if the main PMU 12 fails to send appropriate control signals.

In order to achieve the above task, in particular the task of using two or more chargers to avoid mutual conduction between the chargers, it is necessary to refer to the US patent application filed on Feb. 11, 2003, file number 10 / 364,228. . The above application discloses a selector circuit that can be used as part of a power supply system in the present invention.

5-8, various additional embodiments of the power supply system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have a controllable adapter 104a and two chargers (chargers B and A). In general, the main difference between the embodiment in FIGS. 5-8 and the foregoing description with respect to FIG. 4 lies in the number of sense resistors used along the various power paths. Otherwise, the functionality of the embodiments is similar to that described above in FIG. 4 except that if fewer sense resistors are used, the decision circuit may not be able to accept many input current signals. The embodiment of FIG. 5 has an adapter sense resistor 4, a charger A sense resistor 7 and a charger B sense resistor 5. The embodiment of FIG. 6 has a system sense resistor 3, a charger A sense resistor 7 and a charger B sense resistor 5. The embodiment of FIG. 7 has an adapter sense resistor 4 and one charger sense resistor 5 for sensing the current flowing along the path 118. Finally, the embodiment of FIG. 8 has a system sense resistor 3 and one charger sense resistor 5 for sensing the current flowing along the path 118.

9 to 15, various additional embodiments of the power supply system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 include a DC-DC converter 104b as a controllable DC power supply 104, a fixed adapter ( 302 and charger power supply 105 have two chargers (chargers A and B). In general, the main difference between the embodiment in FIGS. 9-15 and the foregoing description with respect to FIGS. 1 and 3 lies in the number and location of sense resistors used along the various power paths.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 has an adapter sense resistor 2, a system sense resistor 3, a charger A sense resistor 7 and a charger B sense resistor 4. The embodiment of FIG. 10 has an adapter sense resistor 4, a charger A sense resistor 7 and a charger B sense resistor 5. The embodiment of FIG. 11 has a system sense resistor 3, a charger A sense resistor 7 and a charger B sense resistor 5. The embodiment of FIG. 12 has an adapter sense resistor 4 and one charger sense resistor 5 for sensing the current flowing along the path 118. The embodiment of FIG. 13 has one system sense resistor 3 and one charger sense resistor 5 for sensing the current flowing along the path 118. The embodiment of FIG. 14 has one DC-DC converter sense resistor 3 and one charger sense resistor 5 connected in series along the output path of the DC-DC converter 104b. Finally, the embodiment of FIG. 15 is connected to the output of the fixed adapter 302, one connected to the inputs to the DC-DC converter 104b, charger A sense resistor 7 and charger B sense resistor 5; It has an adapter sense resistor (4).

The functions described with respect to embodiments of power management control circuits in accordance with the present invention may be implemented using software or a combination of hardware and software, and well known signal processing techniques. If implemented in software, a processor and machine readable medium are required. The processing apparatus may be any type of processing apparatus capable of providing the speed and function required by the embodiment of the present invention. For example, the processing device may be a Pentium-based processing device manufactured by Intel, or may be a processing device series of Motorola. Machine-readable media includes all media capable of storing instructions that are applied to be executed by a processing unit. Examples of the media include read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), and floppy disks. And magnetic disks such as hard drives, optical disks such as CD-ROMs, and other devices capable of storing digital information. In an embodiment, the instructions are stored in compressed and / or encrypted form on the medium.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by the equivalents of the claims.

According to the present invention, only one power conversion is possible to supply a controllable DC output to the system load and the charger, or a controllable DC power supply and the charger can be connected in parallel to supply the system load. .

Claims (38)

A first path implemented to be connected to the controllable DC power source; A second path implemented to be connected to the charger; A third path implemented to be coupled to the system load; A common node to which the first path, the second path, and the third path are connected; A first switch coupled to the first path to allow selective connection of the controllable DC power supply to the system load through the common node; And And a second switch coupled to the second path to allow selective connection of the charger to the common node. 2. The power supply network of claim 1, wherein in a first power supply mode wherein the controllable DC power supply provides power to the system load, the first switch is closed and the second switch is open. 2. The second switch of claim 1, wherein the second switch flows along the second path in a first direction from the charger to the system load and along the second path in a second direction opposite to the first direction. And an optional single-directional switch having a first discharge short circuit position implemented to prevent flow. 4. The switch of claim 3, wherein the first switch is closed at the first discharge position in a parallel supply mode to allow both the controllable DC power supply and the charger to supply power in parallel to the system load. And the second switch is also closed. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second switch further comprises a second charge short circuit position implemented to allow current to flow in the second direction and to prevent current from flowing in the first direction along the second path; The first switch is closed and the first switch at the second charging short-circuit position in a charge supply mode to cause the controllable DC power supply to power the system load and supply power to charge the charger. Power supply network, characterized in that the two switches are also closed. Controllable DC power supply; A first path coupled to the controllable DC power source; A second path implemented to be connected to the charger; A third path implemented to be coupled to the system load; A common node to which the first path, the second path, and the third path are connected; A first switch coupled to the first path to allow selective connection of the controllable DC power supply to the system load through the common node; And And a second switch coupled to the second path to allow selective connection of the charger to the common node. 7. The power supply circuit of claim 6, wherein the controllable DC power supply comprises a DC-DC converter. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising a fixed DC power supply coupled to the DC-DC converter via the first path, wherein the first power conversion accepts an input voltage by the fixed DC power supply and sets the input voltage to a fixed DC power supply. And converting to an output voltage, wherein the second power conversion is made by receiving the fixed DC output voltage by the DC-DC converter and converting the fixed DC output voltage to a DC output voltage. 9. The power supply network of claim 8, wherein said first switch is coupled between said fixed DC power source and said DC-DC converter. 9. The power supply circuit of claim 8, wherein the first switch is connected between the DC-DC converter and the common node. 7. The power supply circuit of claim 6, wherein the controllable DC power supply comprises a controllable adapter. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein a first power conversion is achieved by receiving an input voltage by the controllable adapter and converting the input voltage to an output DC voltage to supply the system load in the first power supply mode. Power supply network. 12. The power supply circuit of claim 11 wherein the controllable adapter comprises an ACDC adapter. In an electronic device comprising a power supply network for supplying power to various components of the electronic device, the power supply network A first path implemented to be connected to the controllable DC power source; A second path implemented to be connected to the charger; A third path implemented to be coupled to the system load; A common node to which the first path, the second path, and the third path are connected; A first switch coupled to the first path to allow selective connection of the controllable DC power supply to the system load through the common node; And And a second switch connected to the second path to allow selective connection of the charger to the common node. 15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein in a first power supply mode wherein the controllable DC power supply provides power to the system load, the first switch is closed and the second switch is open. The second switch of claim 14, wherein the second switch is configured to flow along the second path in a first direction from the charger to the system load and along the second path in a second direction opposite to the first direction. And an optional single-directional switch having a first discharge short circuit position implemented to prevent current from flowing. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first switch is closed at the first discharge position in a parallel supply mode to allow both the controllable DC power supply and the charger to supply power in parallel to the system load. And the second switch is also closed. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the second switch further comprises a second charge short circuit position implemented to allow current to flow in the second direction and to prevent current from flowing in the first direction along the second path. The first switch is closed at the second charging short-circuit position in a charge supply mode to cause the controllable DC power supply to supply power to the system load and to charge the charger; And the second switch is also closed. Controllable DC power supply; A first path coupled to the controllable DC power source; A second path implemented to be connected to the charger; A third path implemented to be coupled to the system load; A common node to which the first path, the second path, and the third path are connected; A first switch coupled to the first path to allow selective connection of the controllable DC power supply to the system load through the common node; And A second switch coupled to the second path to allow selective connection of the charger to the common node, wherein the first switch and the second switch are configured to conduct a conductive state in response to a control signal from a power management control circuit. Electronic device having a. 20. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the controllable DC power supply comprises a DC-DC converter. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising a fixed DC power supply coupled to the DC-DC converter via the first path, wherein the first power conversion accepts an input voltage by the fixed DC power supply and modifies the input voltage. And converting the fixed DC output voltage into a DC output voltage by the DC-DC converter. 22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the first switch is coupled between the fixed DC power supply and the DC-DC converter. 22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the first switch is connected between the DC-DC converter and the common node. 20. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the controllable DC power supply comprises a controllable adapter. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein a first power conversion is made by receiving an input voltage by the controllable adapter and converting the input voltage to an output DC voltage to supply the system load in the first power supply mode. Electronics. 25. The electronic device of claim 24, wherein the controllable adapter comprises an ACDC adapter. Provide power from the controllable DC power supply to the system load in the first power supply mode; And Providing power from the controllable DC power supply to the system load and a charger in a second power supply mode. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the controllable DC power supply comprises a controllable ACDC adapter. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein said controllable DC power supply comprises a DC-DC converter. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising simultaneously providing power from the controllable DC power supply and the charger to the system load in a third power supply mode. Accept a first power level from a first power source; Convert the first power level to a dynamically adjustable output DC power level; And Providing the output DC power level to the system load in a first power supply mode. 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising providing the output DC power level to the charger and the system load to charge the charger in a second power supply mode. Providing a controllable DC power source; Control an output power parameter of the controllable DC power supply based on at least one input signal; And And the controllable DC power supply and the charger selecting a first power supply mode connected in parallel to provide power to the system load. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the at least one input signal indicates a power condition of the system load. 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the at least one pressure signal is such that the instantaneous power demand of the system load is greater than the maximum power output of the controllable DC power supply and the instantaneous power demand of the system load is the maximum power output of the charger. And a power crisis condition that is greater than the level. 34. The method of claim 33, further comprising preventing mutual conduction between the controllable DC power supply and the charger power supply in the first power supply mode. A controllable DC power supply having a dynamically controllable output power parameter; And And a power management control circuit configured to control the output power parameter to select a first power supply mode in which the controllable DC power supply provides power to a system load. 38. The power supply system of claim 37, wherein the power management control circuitry is implemented to select a second power supply mode in which the controllable DC power supply and charger simultaneously provide power to the system load.