Patent ID: 6134666
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A power management systema backplane to which a modular component may be connected, said modular component having an associated known maximum power demand;a query line having a first end and a second end connected together through said backplane, said first end adapted to connected to said modular component;a power supervisor attached to said backplane and to said second end, said power supervisor adapted to query said query line and to receive therefrom an associated known maximum power demand of said modular component,wherein said power supervisor includes a first voltage source coupled to said query line through a first resistance, wherein said power supervisor senses said associated known maximum power demand by sensing a voltage level on said query line, wherein said power supervisor causes a selected voltage level to be applied to said query line to cause said modular component to fully power up, wherein said power supervisor generates a power up signal which is sent over a line to a switch having a first state and a second state, said switch allowing power to flow onto said query line when in said first state and not allowing power to flow onto said query line when in said second state, said switch being in said second state in the absence of said power up signal and said switch being in said first state in the presence of said power up signal.