Patent Publication Number: US-2013252473-A1

Title: Gangable power supply channels

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Solid state power controllers (SSPC) are currently available with either a fixed output rating or a rating which can be adjusted by either hardware or software. The SSPC&#39;s with fixed ratings have very little flexibility to accommodate different load distribution scenarios. The SSPC&#39;s with an adjustable output rating need to be designed for the highest possible rating. If an SSPC is programmed to operate at a rating lower than the highest rating the device wastes significant real estate, since a lot of power switching components are not operated at their rating level. 
     Additionally, SSPC&#39;s designed for a specific current rating do not always offer the best total solution for specific power distribution applications. Often it is desirable to have a single part number that can handle multiple different output currents, while at the same time minimizing the board space and components required. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure include an interface module includes a first side having a plurality of input connectors of a same cross-sectional area corresponding to a same amperage rating, a second side having a plurality of output connectors of different cross-sectional areas from each other corresponding to different amperage ratings from each other, and wiring in the interface module configured to connect a first number of input connectors to a first one of the output connectors having a first amperage rating, and configured to connect a second number of input connectors to a second one of the output connectors having a second amperage rating different from the first amperage rating. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure further include a power connection system, including a power module including a power output port having a plurality of first output connectors having a same cross-sectional size and a power interface module. The power interface module may include a first side having a plurality of first input connectors of a same cross-sectional size as the plurality of first output connectors of the power output port of the power module and configured to be connected with the plurality of first output connectors of the power output port and a second side including a plurality of second output connectors, a first one of the plurality of second output connectors connected to a first number of input connectors, and a second one of the plurality of second output connectors connected to a second number of input connectors different from the first number of input connectors. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure further include a power supply system including a plurality of power supply modules, each having a same current rating and one or more parallel connection parts configured to connect two or more of the plurality of power supply modules to generate a power output corresponding to a combined current rating of the two or more of the plurality of power supply modules. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a power interface system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a power interface system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a power interface module according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a power module port according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 5A-5K  illustrate power interface sub-modules according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 6A-6D  illustrate cross-section views of power interface modules according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a power interface system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrates a power module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a power interface module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to providing power to various loads at various power levels. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a power interface system  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The power interface system  100  includes a power supply module  110 , a power interface module  120 , and a load  130 . The power supply module includes a plurality of power supply channels, each providing power at the same amperage. For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates six solid state power control (SSPC) channels  112   a - 112   f , each providing up to 3A to a respective output connector  113   a - 113   f . Channel control circuits  111   a - 111   f  control the power output via the SSPC channels  112   a - 112   f . In one embodiment, the SSPC channels  112   a - 112   f  have the same circuit design and thermal resources. 
     While  FIG. 1  illustrates six 3A SSPC channels, or six channels capable of providing any desired amperage up to the rated 3A, embodiments of the present disclosure encompass channels having any desired amperage, such as 1A, 2A, or 2.5A, and the power supply channels may correspond to any type of power supply. 
     The power interface module  120  includes input connectors  121   a - 121   f  corresponding to the output connectors  113   a - 113   f  of the power module, and configured to connect with the output connectors  113   a - 113   f  to transmit the electrical current from the output connectors  113   a - 113   f  of the power supply module  110  to the input connectors  121   a - 121   f  of the power interface module  120 . The input connectors  121   a - 121   f  and output connectors  113   a - 113   f  may comprise conductive protrusions to be positioned within conductive receptacles, conductive pads, springs, wires, traces, or any other electrical terminals configured to conduct current from one device to another. 
     The power interface module  120  also includes output connectors  123   a ,  123   b , and  123   c  configured to be connected to one or more loads  130   a ,  130   b , and  130   c . The power interface module  120  includes internal wiring  122   a ,  122   b , and  122   c  to connect one output connector  123   a ,  123   b , or  123   c  to one or more input connectors  121   a - 121   f . Since each of the input connectors  121   a - 121   f  is configured to connect to a respective output connector  113   a - 113  carrying a same amperage, the connecting of multiple input connectors  121   a - 121   f  together results in output connectors  123   a ,  123   b , and  123   c  configured to output current at different amperage levels. 
     For example, wiring  122   a  connects only one input connector  121   a  to only one output connector  123   a , and as a result, the output connector  123   a  is connected only to one SSPC channel  112   a  and may output a current of up to only 3A to the load  130   a . On the other hand, the wiring  122   b  connects all of the input connectors  121   b - 121   d  to a single output connector  123   b , and as a result, the output connector  123   b  is connected to three SSPC channels  112   b ,  112   c  and  112   d , and may output a current of up to 9A to the load  130   b . The output connector  123   c  is similarly connected to multiple input connectors. The input connectors  121   c  and  121   f  connect to only one output connector  123   c , and as a result, the output connector  123   c  is connected to two SSPC channels  112   e  and  112   f , and may output a current of up to 6A to the load  130   c.    
     Although three examples of wiring  122   a ,  122   b , and  122   c  are provided in  FIG. 1  to illustrate configurations of providing power from inputs configured to receive a same current level to outputs configured to receive different multiples of the current level of the inputs, embodiments of the present disclosure encompass any variation of connections of input connectors  121   a - 121   f  to provide an output of any desired current level from the power interface module  120 . For example, in some embodiments, five, ten, or more connectors  121  may be connected to provide an output connector  123  of a desired output current level. 
     In embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more of the input connectors  121   a - 121   f , wiring  122   a - 122   c , and output connectors  123   a - 123   c  may have a size configured to correspond to a particular current rating. For example, in an embodiment in which an input connector  121 , wiring  122 , or output connector  123  is a wire or wiring, the size of the connector  121 , wiring  122 , and output connector  123  may be referred to as the gauge of the wire or wiring. In such an embodiment, the input connectors  121   a - 121   f  may all have the same gauge, or may be configured to receive the same gauge, wire. A gauge of the wiring  122  may decrease (and the diameter of the wiring  122  may increase) as the number of input connectors  121   a - 121   f  connected to the wiring  122  increases. Similarly, a gauge of the output connectors  123   a - 123   c  may decrease, and the diameter of the output connectors  123   a - 123   c  may increase, according to an increased number of input connectors  121   a - 121   f  connected to the output connectors  123   a - 123   c.    
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the output connector  123   b  may have a smaller gauge, or a larger cross-sectional area, than the output connector  123   a . Likewise, the output connector  123   c  may have a smaller gauge, or a larger cross-sectional area, than the output connector  123   b . In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the output connector  123  is increased to correspond to an increased number of input connectors  121  connected to the output connector  123 . In one embodiment, the increased cross-sectional area corresponds to an increased amperage rating, or an increase in the capacity of the output connectors  123  to transmit current. In the present specification, the reference numerals  121  and  123  refer to input connectors and output connectors generally, whereas the reference numerals  121   a - 121   f  refer to particular input connectors illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and the reference numerals  123   a - 123   c  refer to particular output connectors illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a power interface system  200  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The power interface system  200  of  FIG. 2  is similar to the power interface system  100  of  FIG. 1 . However, in the power interface system  200  of  FIG. 2 , the power interface module  120  is divided into a plurality of physically distinct sub-modules  120   a ,  120   b , and  120   c . In the present specification and claims, the terms physically distinct, or physically separate, refer to objects that have separate and defined outer borders or outer perimeter sides, such as blocks, that are not a part of other objects. For example, the sub-module  120   a  may comprise a block having predetermined dimensions around an outer diameter of the sub-module  120   a . The sub-module  120   a  may be positioned adjacent to the sub-module  120   b , but the sub-modules  120   a  does not physically combine with or merge with the sub-module  120   b . Instead, sides of the sub-modules  120   a  and  120   b  may be located next to each other. Similarly, sub-module  120   c  may be positioned adjacent to sub-module  120   b , but the sub-modules  120   b  and  120   c  remain physically distinct. 
     In one embodiment, the sub-modules  120   a ,  120   b , and  120   c  are shaped so as to conform to a shape of an output port of the power supply module  110 .  FIG. 4  illustrates an example of an output port  400  of the power supply module  110 . The output port  400  includes a plurality of output connectors  401 . Each of the plurality of output connectors  401  may be of a same size and may be connected to an SSPC channel having the same current output level. The output connectors  401  of  FIG. 4  may correspond to the output connectors  113  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a power interface module  120  according to an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 3A  illustrates an input side  120   a  of the power interface module  120 . The input side  120   a  may include a plurality of input connectors  301 . The input connectors  301  may have a same size or shape, and may have also have the same amperage rating, or a same capacity to transmit a current. The input connectors  301  may have shapes and sizes that complement the shapes and sizes of output connectors of a power supply module  110 , such as the output connectors  113  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  and the output connectors  401  of  FIG. 4 . In other words, in an embodiment in which the input connectors  301  are conductive protrusions, the output connectors of a power supply module may be conductive receptacles having a size and shape to receive the input connectors  301 , to hold the input connectors  301  in place, and to make conductive contact with the input connectors  301 . 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates an output side  120   b  of the power interface module  120 . The output side  120   b  may include a plurality of output connectors  302   a - 302   e  of varying shapes and sizes, which may correspond to different connections to input connectors  301  and varying amperage ratings. For example, each of the output connectors  302   a  and  302   b  of  FIG. 3B  may be connected to only one input connector  301 , and so may be configured to transmit a current received by only one input connector  301 . In addition, a cross-section area of the output connectors  302   a  and  302   b  may be substantially the same as the cross-sectional area of the input connectors  301 . In addition, the amperage rating, or the current capacity of the output connectors  302   a  and  302   b  may be the same as the current capacity of one input connector  301 . The output connectors  302   a  and  302   b  may have a size that is the same as the individual input connectors  301 . 
     The output connectors  302   c  and  302   d  may each be connected to three input connectors  301 . Accordingly, the output connectors  302   c  and  302   d  may each have a cross-sectional area larger than an input connector  301 . The cross-sectional area may correspond to a current transmission capacity that is triple the current transmission capacity of only one input connector  301 . In addition, the output connector  302   e  may be connected to two input connectors  301 , and may have a cross-sectional area corresponding to a current transmission capacity that is twice that of one input connector  301 . The output connector  302   e  may have a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the output connectors  302   a  and  302   b , and smaller than the cross-sectional area of the output connectors  302   c  and  302   d.    
     Although the output connectors  302   a - 302   e  of  FIG. 3B  all have a circular shape, embodiments of the present disclosure encompass connectors having any shape, including ovoid, planar, round, square, rectangular, polygonal, or any other shape. In addition, although output connectors  302   a - 302   e  having different amperage ratings have different sizes in  FIG. 3B , in some embodiments, output connectors  302  may have a same size, even when configured to transmit different amperages. For example, an output connector  302  having a size corresponding to an amperage rating of 3A may be configured to transmit 1A, 2A, or 2.5A. In one embodiment in which an input connector  301  is connected to an SSPC channel configured to transmit X amperes, an output connector  302  of a first cross-sectional area may be configured to transmit X amperes, 2X amperes, and 3X amperes, an output connector  302  of a second cross-sectional area may be configured to transmit 4X amperes, 5X amperes, and 6X amperes, an output connector  302  of a third cross-sectional area may be configured to transmit 7X, 8X, and 9X amperes, etc. 
       FIGS. 5A-5K  illustrate power interface sub-modules according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, such as the embodiment described in  FIG. 2 , the power interface module  120  may comprise multiple separate sub-modules of varying shapes and sizes.  FIGS. 5A-5K  illustrate only a few examples of sub-modules for purposes of description. However, embodiments of the present disclosure encompass any combinations of sub-modules having a same input connector and output connectors configured to transmit different amperage levels, where the combinations of sub-modules are configured to be mounted together to an output port of a power supply module  110 , such as the output port  400  of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a pair of sub-modules  501  configured to connect one input connector to one output connector  503 . The sub-module  501  includes an output-side surface  502  including the output connector  503 , an input-side surface  505 , and an outer perimeter  504 . The sub-modules  501  are configured such that when the input-side surface  505  is mounted to an output port of a power supply module, the outer perimeter  504  may contact an adjacent sub-module that is also connected to the output port of the power supply module. 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a sub-module  506  configured to connect four input connectors  508  to four respective output connectors  503 . Wiring  507 , represented as dashed lines, connects the four input connectors  508 , respectively, to the four output connectors  503 . The sub-module  506  includes an output-side surface  502  including the output connectors  503 , an input-side surface  505 , and an outer perimeter  504 . The sub-module  506  is configured such that when the input-side surface  505  is mounted to an output port of a power supply module, the outer perimeter  504  may contact an adjacent sub-module that is also connected to the output port of the power supply module. 
       FIG. 5C  illustrates a sub-module  507  configured to connect four input connectors  508  to one output connector  509 . Wiring  507 , represented as dashed lines, connects the four input connectors  508  to the one output connector  509 . The sub-module  507  includes an output-side surface  502  including the output connector  509 , an input-side surface  505 , and an outer perimeter  504 . The sub-module  507  is configured such that when the input-side surface  505  is mounted to an output port of a power supply module, the outer perimeter  504  may contact an adjacent sub-module that is also connected to the output port of the power supply module. In the embodiments of  FIGS. 5A-5C , the sub-modules  501 ,  506 , and  507  have substantially square shapes. However, embodiments of the present disclosure encompass any desired shape of sub-modules. 
       FIG. 5D  illustrates a sub-module  510  configured to connect three input connectors  508  to one output connector  519 . Wiring  507 , represented as dashed lines, connects the three input connectors  508  to the one output connector  519 . The sub-module  510  includes an output-side surface  502  including the output connector  519 , an input-side surface  505 , and an outer perimeter  504 . The sub-module  510  is configured such that when the input-side surface  505  is mounted to an output port of a power supply module, the outer perimeter  504  may contact an adjacent sub-module that is also connected to the output port of the power supply module. 
       FIG. 5E  illustrates a sub-module  511  configured to connect one input connector to one output connector  503 . The sub-module  511  includes an output-side surface  502  including the output connector  503 , an input-side surface  505 , and an outer perimeter  504 . The sub-module  511  is configured such that when the input-side surface  505  is mounted to an output port of a power supply module, the outer perimeter  504  may contact an adjacent sub-module that is also connected to the output port of the power supply module. For example, the sub-module  511  may be configured such that a hypotenuse of the outer perimeter  504  contacts the hypotenuse of the outer perimeter  504  of the sub-module  510  of  FIG. 5D  when the sub-modules  511  and  510  are connected next to each other in an output port of a power supply module. 
       FIG. 5F  illustrates a sub-module  512  configured to connect two input connectors to one output connector  513 . The sub-module  512  includes an output-side surface  502  including the output connector  513 , an input-side surface  505 , and an outer perimeter  504 . The sub-module  512  is configured such that when the input-side surface  505  is mounted to an output port of a power supply module, the outer perimeter  504  may contact an adjacent sub-module that is also connected to the output port of the power supply module. 
       FIG. 5K  illustrates the input-side surface  505  of the sub-module  512  according to one embodiment. The input-side surface  505  may include two input connectors  508  to connect to two output connectors of a power supply module, and wiring inside the sub-module  512  may connect the two input connectors  508  to the one output connector  513 . 
       FIG. 5G  illustrates a sub-module  514  configured to connect three input connectors to one output connector  515 . The sub-module  514  includes an output-side surface  502  including the output connector  515 , an input-side surface  505 , and an outer perimeter  504 . The sub-module  514  is configured such that when the input-side surface  505  is mounted to an output port of a power supply module, the outer perimeter  504  may contact an adjacent sub-module that is also connected to the output port of the power supply module. 
       FIG. 5H  illustrates the input-side surface  505  of the sub-module  514  according to one embodiment. The input-side surface  505  may include three input connectors  508  to connect to three output connectors of a power supply module, and wiring inside the module  514  may connect the three input connectors  508  to the one output connector  515 . 
       FIG. 5I  illustrates a sub-module  516  configured to connect one input connector to one output connector  517 . Unlike the sub-modules  501  of  FIG. 5A , the sub-module  516  may be mounted to a plurality of output connectors of a power supply port, but may transmit current from only one of the output connectors of the power supply port. The sub-module  516  includes an output-side surface  502  including the output connector  517 , an input-side surface  505 , and an outer perimeter  504 . The sub-module  516  is configured such that when the input-side surface  505  is mounted to an output port of a power supply module, the outer perimeter  504  may contact an adjacent sub-module that is also connected to the output port of the power supply module. The sub-module  516  may be further configured to be mounted to four output connectors of an output port of a power supply module. However, in the embodiment described in  FIG. 5I , three dummy connectors may be connected to output connectors of the output port of the power supply module, and only one input connector may be connected to the output connector  517  via a wire internal to the sub-module  516 . 
       FIG. 5J  illustrates a sub-module  520  configured to connect three input connectors to one output connector  518 . The sub-module  520  includes an output-side surface  502  including the output connector  518 , an input-side surface  505 , and an outer perimeter  504 . The sub-module  520  is configured such that when the input-side surface  505  is mounted to an output port of a power supply module, the outer perimeter  504  may contact an adjacent sub-module that is also connected to the output port of the power supply module. The sub-module  520  may be configured to be mounted to four output connectors of an output port of a power supply module. However, in the embodiment described in  FIG. 5I , one dummy connector may connect to one output connector of the output port of the power supply module, and only three input connectors may be connected to the output connector  518  via a wire internal to the sub-module  520 . In other words, in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 5I and 5J  (as well as  FIGS. 5B and 5C ), sub-modules having a same outer perimeter shape may be configured to connect to a same number of output connectors of a power supply module, but may each have different output connector configurations, including different numbers of output connectors and output connectors having different cross-sectional areas. 
       FIGS. 6A-6D  illustrate cross-section views of power interface modules according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments of the present disclosure, input connectors of power interface modules interact with output connectors of power supply modules to transmit current from the output connectors of the power supply modules to the input connectors of the power interface modules. In addition, output connectors of power interface modules may connect to input connectors of load connectors, such as cables, circuit boards, input ports of load devices or load systems, or other any other input connectors configured to connect to the output connectors of the power interface module to transmit power from the output connectors of the power interface module to a load. Input connectors and output connectors may include pins, wires, pads, springs, receptacles, conductive traces, or any other conductive protruding part, conductive receiving part, conductive interlocking part, or conductive connection part.  FIGS. 6A-6D  illustrate only a few examples of configurations of input connectors and output connectors. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a cross-section view of a power interface module  601  according to one embodiment. The power interface module  601  includes an input side  602  and an output side  603 . The input side  602  includes an input port  604  defined by a wall  605  and input connectors  606 . The input connectors  606  are conductive protruding parts, such as pins. The output side  603  includes an output connector  608 , which may be a conductive recess, such as a recess having a wall or lining formed of copper, conductive springs, or any other conductive material. Wiring  607  connects the input connectors  606  to the output connector  608 . 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates a cross-section view of a power interface module  609  according to one embodiment. The power interface module  609  includes an input side  602  and an output side  603 . The input side  602  includes input connectors  610 . The input connectors may be conductive recesses, such as a recess having a wall or lining formed of copper, conductive springs, or any other conductive material. The output side  603  includes an output port  611  defined by a wall  612  and an output connector  613 . The output connector  613  is a conductive protruding part, such as a pin. Wiring  607  connects the input connectors  610  to the output connector  613 . 
       FIG. 6C  illustrates a cross-section view of a power interface module  614  according to one embodiment. The power interface module  614  includes an input side  602  and an output side  603 . The input side  602  includes input connectors  610 . The input connectors may be conductive recesses, such as a recess having a wall or lining formed of copper, conductive springs, or any other conductive material. The output side  603  includes an output connector  608 , which may be a conductive recess, such as a recess having a wall or lining formed of copper, conductive springs, or any other conductive material. Wiring  607  connects the input connectors  606  to the output connector  608 . 
       FIG. 6D  illustrates a cross-section view of a power interface module  615  according to one embodiment. The power interface module  615  includes an input side  602  and an output side  603 . The input side  602  includes an input port  604  defined by a wall  605  and input connectors  606 . The input connectors  606  are conductive protruding parts, such as pins. The output side  603  includes an output port  611  defined by a wall  612  and an output connector  613 . The output connector  613  is a conductive protruding part, such as a pin. Wiring  607  connects the input connectors  610  to the output connector  613 . 
       FIGS. 6A-6D  are provided to illustrate examples of configurations of input connectors and output connectors. However, embodiments of the present disclosure encompass input connectors and output connectors of varying sizes and shapes, and are not limited to those illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6D . For example, in one embodiment, the walls  605  and  612  may be omitted, the power interface modules  601 ,  609 ,  614 , and  615  may have shapes other than rectangular cross-sectional shapes, the input connectors  606  or  610  may have shapes other than a pin shape and a receptacle to receive a pin, or the output connectors  608  and  613  may have shapes other than a pin shape and a receptacle to receive a pin. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a power interface system  700  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The power interface system  700  includes a power supply module  710  having an output port  730 , and an electrical transmission medium  720 , such as a wire or cable  721  connected to a power interface module  740 . 
     The output port  730  may have a plurality of first output connectors  731 , each having a same size or cross-sectional area corresponding to a same current transmission capacity. The output port  730  may also include one or more high-current connection portions  738  including one or more second output connectors  739  having a larger size or cross-sectional area than the first connectors  731 . For example, in one embodiment, a system may be configured to transmit power at 25A via the second output connectors  739  and at 2.5A via the first output connectors  731 . Although one high-current connection portion  738  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 , any number of different current transmission capacity portions may be provided according to design specifications of a system. 
     The power interface module  740  may have a plurality of first input connectors  741  configured to be connected to the first output connectors  731  of the output port  730 . The power interface module  740  may also include a high-current connection portion  748  including one or more second input connectors  749  to connect to the second output connectors  739  of the output port  730 . 
     The first input connectors  741  may be connected to varying numbers of other first input connectors  741  and to one output connector to form third output connectors  746 , fourth output connectors  742 , fifth output connectors  743 , and sixth output connectors  744  having different cross-sectional areas corresponding to numbers of connected first input connectors  741 . For example, each third output connector  746  may be connected to only one first input connector  741 , and may have a cross-sectional area corresponding to the current transmission capacity of only one first input connector  741  and only one first output connector  731  of the output port  730 . Each fourth output connector  742  may be connected to two first input connectors  741  and may have a cross-sectional area corresponding to twice the current transmission capacity of one input connector  741 . Wiring  745 , represented as dashed lines, connects the first input connectors  741  to the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth output connectors  746 ,  742 ,  743 , and  744 . 
     Each fifth output connector  743  may be connected to three first input connectors  741 , and may have a cross-sectional area corresponding to a current transmission capacity that is three times the current transmission capacity of one first input connector  741 . Similarly, each sixth output connector  744  may be connected to four first input connectors  741 , and may a cross-sectional area corresponding to a current transmission capacity that is four times the current transmission capacity of one first input connector  741 . 
     The output connectors  746 ,  742 ,  743 , and  744  may be connected to wires bound within the cable  721 , or to wires that are not bound within a same cable  721 . The wires may have cross-sectional areas corresponding to current transmission capacities of the output connectors  746 ,  742 ,  743 , and  744 . For example, the output connectors  746  may have a 22 gauge cross-section area, the output connectors  742  may have a 20 gauge cross-section area, the output connectors  743  may have a 16 gauge cross-section area, and the output connectors  744  may have an 8 gauge cross-section area. 
       FIGS. 8A to 8C  illustrate power supply modules  800   a ,  800   b , and  800   c  according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Each power supply module  800   a ,  800   b , and  800   c  includes a plurality of power supply channels  801   a ,  801   b , and  801   c . In  FIGS. 8A-8C  the power supply channels  801   a - 801   c  are 3 amp SSPC channels. Each SSPC channel is controlled by a separate microcontroller, which may control the SSPC channel by receiving instructions via a data bus or by executing commands stored in memory, such as dedicated microcontroller memory. 
     In embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of separate power supply channels  801   a - 801   c  each provide a predetermined current transmission capacity, and the current transmission capacity of each of the power supply channels  801   a - 801   c  may be the same. The separate power supply channels  801   a - 801   c  may be connected in parallel to provide outputs having different and configurable current transmission capacities. 
     For example,  FIG. 8A  illustrates three separate power supply channels  801   a - 801   c , each providing an output current of 3A. Three separate loads or load systems may be connected to the respective power supply channels  801   a - 801   c .  FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment in which two power supply channels  801   a  and  801   b  are connected in parallel, providing an output current level of 6A, and the power supply channel  801   c  is separate, providing an output current level of 3A. The power supply channels  801   a  and  801   b  may be connected in parallel by connecting the outputs together with a first parallel connection part  802   a , which may include a power interface module, such as the power interface module  120  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , switches on a circuit board, or any other parallel connection mechanism. The power supply channels  801   a  and  801   b  may further be connected by a second parallel connection part  803   a , which may include one or more of a power connection and a data connection. For example, a data connection line may coordinate the microcontrollers of the two separate power supply channels  801   a  and  801   b  to supply current at a consistent rate and at a same time. 
     Similarly,  FIG. 8C  illustrates an embodiment in which three power supply channels  801   a ,  801   b  and  801   c  are connected in parallel, providing an output current level of  9 A. The power supply channels  801   a - 801   c  may be connected in parallel by connecting the outputs together with a third parallel connection part  802   b , which may include a power interface module, such as the power interface module  120  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , switches on a circuit board, or any other parallel connection mechanism. The power supply channels  801   a - 801   c  may further be connected by a fourth parallel connection part  803   b , which may include one or more of a power connection and a data connection. For example, a data connection line may coordinate the microcontrollers of the two separate power supply channels  801   a - 801   c  to supply current at a consistent rate and at a same time 
     According the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8C , a solid state power controller (SSPC) may be configured to have a plurality of low current SSPC channels that can be connected in parallel to form higher current channels. The low current SSPC channels may be combined or output separately to provide current outputs of varying levels, allowing for the use of the full number of switches on a given solid state power controller board. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a power interface module  900  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The power interface module  900  may correspond to the power interface module  120  of  FIG. 2 . The power interface module  900  includes a board side  901  and a load side  902 . In one embodiment, the power interface module  900  is configured to connect a power supply system of an aircraft with electrical systems in the aircraft. In such a case, the board side  901  is connected to power supply board, and the load side  902  is connected to circuits within an electrical system of an aircraft. 
     The power interface module  900  includes an insulating substrate  910 , pins  911  on the board side  901  to connect to a power supply, wiring within the insulating substrate  910 , and pins  912  on the load side  902 . Although  FIG. 9  illustrates pins  911  and  913  extending from the substrate  910 , embodiments of the present disclosure also include holes to receive pins, or in other words, the pins  911  and  913  may be replaced with conductive holes in the substrate  910  to receive conductive pins, as illustrated for example, in  FIGS. 6A-6D . 
     The power interface module  900  is configured to receive multiple sub-modules  930  by electrically connecting wiring  931  in the sub-modules  930  with the pins  913  and wiring  921  of the substrate  910 . One or more outer walls  914  and inner dividers  915  may form a casing to receive the sub-modules  930  and to lock the sub-modules  930  into place. 
     The sub-modules  930  may correspond to the sub-modules  507 ,  511 ,  512 ,  514 ,  516 , and  520  of  FIGS. 5A-5K . In one embodiment, each of the sub-modules  930  has the same dimensions, such as height, width, and depth, while having different internal electrical connections. For example, one sub-module  930  may have a cube-shape similar to the sub-module  506  of  FIG. 5B , and may connect four electrical connectors from the substrate  910  with four corresponding electrical connectors of the sub-module  930 . Another sub-module  930  may have the same outer dimensions, such as the cube-shaped module of  FIG. 5C , but may have different electrical connections, such as connecting four electrical connectors from the substrate  910  with one electrical connector of the sub-module  930 . 
     Accordingly, in some embodiments, a variety of different power interface modules  900  may be manufactured to using the same frame, such as the substrate  910  and a pre-manufactured variety of sub-modules  930  having different internal electrical connections to provide output power at different levels. Each sub-module  930  may be inserted into the frame, as indicated by the arrow of  FIG. 9  and locked into place by walls  914  and/or dividers  915 . 
     As described above, embodiments of the present disclosure encompass systems and methods that allow for matching the circuit components of one or more SSPC&#39;s with a particular load while still supporting variable sized amperage settings. A number of circuit components, such as power switches and circuitry for current and thermal handling capability may be configured to correspond to programmable loads. The programming of the loads may allow for such matching without requiring design modifications or changes to the SSPC board and may allow for each channel on each board in the system to be individually programmed to allow for any combination of channels and amperage ratings up to the point of 100% utilization of the available circuits on the board. The SSPC channels may have matching circuit designs and thermal resources and any combination of SSPC channels may be grouped together. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure encompass a connector, such as the power interface module, having interchangeable contact inserts that group 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. adjacent channel pins together to form larger SSPC&#39;s. In one embodiment, the connections to the board are an array of all the same size pins, each rated for the current handling of one of the small channels. The connections to the wiring may be sized to match the wire. 
     As one of skill in the art will realize, the embodiments of the present disclosure may allow one power supply board layout to be used for many different combinations of load ratings by simply reconfiguring the selectable combinations of connector inserts instead of designing multiple sizes of SSPC&#39;s. While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.