Patent Publication Number: US-2023134151-A1

Title: System and method for increasing power supply peak power capacity

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     This disclosure relates generally to information handling systems and, more particularly, to methods for increasing the power supply peak power capacity. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments disclosed herein may be directed to a method for increasing voltage supplied to an information handling system. An information handling system may power on and a power supply unit (PSU may supply power to the information handling system at a first voltage. In response to the information handling system receiving a request to start executing an application, an embedded controller (EC) monitoring the information handling system may receive information associated with the application including a request for power at a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage. The EC may communicate a signal to the PSU to supply power at the second voltage. A housekeeping integrated circuit (IC) in the PSU may receive the signal and communicate a signal to a pulse width modulation (PWM) IC in the PSU to convert power supplied by the PSU to the second voltage based on the request to start the application. The PWM IC may convert the power from the first voltage to the second voltage and initiate a timer defining a time period. After the time period expires, the PWM IC may determine there are no additional requests for power at the second voltage and communicate a signal to the housekeeping IC that the PWM IC will stop converting power to the second voltage, wherein the housekeeping IC communicates information to the EC that the PSU will stop supplying power at the second voltage and the PSU supplies power to the information handling system at the first voltage. 
     Embodiments disclosed herein may utilize an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) interface for communicating between the information handling system and the housekeeping IC and may use a UART channel for communicating between the housekeeping IC and the PWM IC. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the invention and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of selected elements of an embodiment of an information handling system; 
         FIG.  2    is a flow diagram of a method for managing voltage supply to an information handling system; and 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  are flow charts depicting a method for increasing peak power supply to an information handling system and returning the information handling system to a normal mode. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT(S) 
     In the following description, details are set forth by way of example to facilitate discussion of the disclosed subject matter. It should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the field, however, that the disclosed embodiments are exemplary and not exhaustive of all possible embodiments. 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include an instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize various forms of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, a network storage device, or another suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and one or more video displays. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communication between the various hardware components. 
     Particular embodiments are best understood by reference to  FIGS.  1 ,  2  and  3 A- 3 B , wherein like numbers are used to indicate like and corresponding parts. 
     Turning to the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates a block diagram depicting selected elements of an embodiment of information handling system  10 . It is noted that  FIG.  1    is not drawn to scale but is a schematic illustration. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , components of information handling system  10  may include, but are not limited to, a processor subsystem  12 , which may comprise one or more processors, and a system bus  14  that communicatively couples various system components to processor subsystem  12  including, for example, a memory subsystem  16 , an I/O subsystem  18 , local storage resource  20 , and network interface  22 . Information handling system  10  may further include power supply  40  configured for supplying electric power having a voltage and Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) interface  42  for communicating with embedded controller (EC)  44 , housekeeping integrated circuit (IC)  46  and pulse width modulation (PWM) IC  48 . 
     Processor subsystem  12  may comprise a system, device, or apparatus operable to interpret and execute program instructions and process data, and may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and execute program instructions and process data. In some embodiments, processor subsystem  12  may interpret and execute program instructions and process data stored locally (e.g., in memory subsystem  16 ). In the same or alternative embodiments, processor subsystem  12  may interpret and execute program instructions and process data stored remotely (e.g., in a network storage resource). 
     System bus  14  may refer to a variety of suitable types of bus structures, e.g., a memory bus, a peripheral bus, or a local bus using various bus architectures in selected embodiments. For example, such architectures may include, but are not limited to, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, PCI-Express bus, HyperTransport (HT) bus, and Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus. 
     Memory subsystem  16  may comprise a system, device, or apparatus operable to retain and retrieve program instructions and data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). Memory subsystem  16  may comprise random access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a PCMCIA card, flash memory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, and/or a suitable selection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retains data after power to its associated information handling system, such as system  100 , is powered down. 
     In information handling system  10 , I/O subsystem  18  may comprise a system, device, or apparatus generally operable to receive and transmit data to or from or within information handling system  10 . I/O subsystem  18  may represent, for example, a variety of communication interfaces, graphics interfaces, video interfaces, user input interfaces, and peripheral interfaces. In various embodiments, I/O subsystem  18  may be used to support various peripheral devices, such as a touch panel, a display adapter, a keyboard, a touch pad, or a camera, among other examples. In some implementations, I/O subsystem  18  may support so-called ‘plug and play’ connectivity to external devices, in which the external devices may be added or removed while information handling system  10  is operating. 
     Local storage resource  20  may comprise computer-readable media (e.g., hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, CD-ROM, and other type of rotating storage media, flash memory, EEPROM, or another type of solid-state storage media) and may be generally operable to store instructions and data. 
     Network interface  22  may be a suitable system, apparatus, or device operable to serve as an interface between information handling system  10  and a network (not shown). Network interface  22  may enable information handling system  10  to communicate over a network using a suitable transmission protocol or standard. In some embodiments, network interface  22  may be communicatively coupled via a network to a network storage resource (not shown). A network coupled to network interface  22  may be implemented as, or may be a part of, a storage area network (SAN), personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a virtual private network (VPN), an intranet, the Internet or another appropriate architecture or system that facilitates the communication of signals, data and messages (generally referred to as data). A network coupled to network interface  22  may transmit data using a desired storage or communication protocol, including, but not limited to, Fibre Channel, Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Internet protocol (IP), other packet-based protocol, small computer system interface (SCSI), Internet SCSI (iSCSI), Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) or another transport that operates with the SCSI protocol, advanced technology attachment (ATA), serial ATA (SATA), advanced technology attachment packet interface (ATAPI), serial storage architecture (SSA), integrated drive electronics (IDE), or any combination thereof. A network coupled to network interface  22  or various components associated therewith may be implemented using hardware, software, or any combination thereof. 
     Information handling system  10  may receive power from power supply unit (PSU)  40 . PSU  40  may be configured to supply electric power up to a first voltage to enable other components of information handling system  10  to process information associated with applications executing on information handling system  10 . The first voltage may be a peak power voltage (e.g., 380 V) based on specifications of PSU  40  or information handling system  10 . 
     Embodiments disclosed herein include a system and method for increasing the voltage supplied by PSU  40  to support temporary demands as requested by applications executing on information handling system  10 . Information handling system  10  may include embedded controller (EC)  44  for monitoring information handling system  10  including determining if an application executing on information handling system  10  is requesting or requiring a voltage higher than a peak voltage associated with a high-efficiency mode. PSU  40  includes housekeeping integrated circuit (IC)  46  and pulse width modulation (PWM) IC  48  for monitoring PSU  40  and capable of increasing the voltage of power supplied by PSU  40 , discussed in greater detail below. 
     Housekeeping integrated circuit (IC)  46  may comprise sensing circuitry to regulate and protect PSU  40  from over-voltage and under-voltage conditions. 
     PWM IC  48  may form part of a DC-to-DC converter circuit for increasing voltage from a first voltage to a second (higher) voltage. The first voltage may be a peak power voltage associated with a high-efficiency operating mode, which is often referred to as a normal mode. The second voltage may be associated with a high-performance mode, which may also be referred to as a turbo peak power mode. In some embodiments, housekeeping IC  46  and PWM IC  48  communicate via a universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART) channel. Using the UART channel, if housekeeping IC  46  is operating in a transmitter-enabled (TX-enabled) mode, PWM IC  48  must operate in a receiver-enabled (RX-enabled) mode and if PWM IC  48  is operating in a transmitter-enabled (TX-enabled) mode, housekeeping IC  46  must operate in a receiver-enabled (RX-enabled) mode. 
     Method for Increasing Voltage 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3 A and  3 B ,  FIG.  2    depicts a high-level flow diagram  200  for increasing the voltage of power supplied by PSU  40  and  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  depict portions of a flow chart illustrating communication between components in PSU  40  to perform steps in flow diagram  200  and illustrating changes in voltage of power supplied by PSU  40 . 
     At step  202  in  FIG.  2   , information handling system  10  is turned on. 
     At step  204  in  FIG.  2   , information handling system  10  begins operating with PSU  40  supplying power at a first voltage. The first voltage may be a peak voltage associated with information handling system  10  operating in a high-efficiency (normal) mode. As depicted in  FIG.  3 A , in a normal mode, PSU  40  may supply power at a first voltage. The first voltage may be, for example, 380 Volts (V). When information handling system  10  is operating in a normal mode, housekeeping IC  46  may operate in porthole gateway interface (PGI) mode to monitor PSU  40  to protect PSU  40  from over-voltage and under-voltage conditions. 
     At step  206  in  FIG.  2   , a signal to start an application may be received by information handling system  10 . The application may be a game or other application initiated by a user and may require additional power or benefit from power supplied at a higher voltage. 
     At step  208 , embedded controller (EC)  44  gets requested voltage information for the application. In some embodiments, EC  44  monitors information handling system  10  including monitoring applications executing on information handling system  10  to determine if more power is required or requested. 
     At step  210 , EC  44  communicates with PSU  40  to request an increase in voltage supplied by PSU  40 . EC  44  may communicate the request over I2C interface  42  to housekeeping IC  46  in PSU  40 . Referring to  FIG.  3 A , at step  302 , EC  44  may communicate a request or signal that information handling system  10  is requesting power at a second voltage (e.g., a request for turbo peak power). The request may be received by housekeeping IC  46  operating in PGI mode. Housekeeping IC  46  may determine that PSU  40  is capable of providing power at the second voltage for a time period. 
     At step  212 , housekeeping IC  42  sends a request to PWM IC  48  to increase the voltage to the second voltage. Referring to  FIG.  3 A , in some embodiments, at step  304 , housekeeping IC  46  may switch to operating in a transmitter-enabled (TX-enabled) mode to communicate over a UART channel with PWM IC  48  operating in a receiver-enabled (RX-enabled) mode to receive the request with the second voltage information. In some embodiments, the request to increase voltage includes information to enable PWM IC  48  to compensate for cable losses. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 A , the voltage of power supplied by PSU  40  may be increased (boosted) to the second voltage (e.g., 470V). 
     Before power is supplied at the second voltage to information handling system  10 , embodiments may perform steps such that information handling system  10  can transition to operating at the higher voltage without damage. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 A , at step  308 , PWM IC  48  may switch from operating in RX-enabled mode to operating in a TX-enabled mode and communicate an acknowledgement (e.g., TX-enable_ack) to housekeeping IC  46  to indicate the voltage of power supplied by PSU  40  has reached the second voltage. 
     At step  310 , EC  44  may inform information handling system  10  using the I2C interface that power is being supplied to information handling system  10  at the second voltage (e.g., turbo peak power). Also, at step  310 , housekeeping IC  46  switches from operating in a RX-enabled mode to operating in the PGI mode, and PWM IC  48  initiates a timer for a time period (e.g., for 4 seconds). 
     At step  214 , information handling system  10  may operate in a second mode such as a high-performance mode, wherein the second mode requires a higher voltage than the first voltage. Referring to  FIG.  3 B , at step  312 , PSU  40  may supply power at a second voltage (e.g., 470 V) to information handling system  10  to provide power to operate in a high-performance mode (e.g., turbo peak power). Housekeeping IC  46  may operate in PGI mode to monitor conditions of PSU  40  and PWM IC  48  continues monitoring the timer to determine when the time period has expired. 
     At step  216 , information handling system  10  may check for a system request after a time period has expired (e.g., after 4 seconds). If there is a request to keep supplying power at the second voltage, PSU  40  may continue operating at the second voltage as long as housekeeping IC  46  determines PSU  40  is capable. If there is not a request to keep supplying power at the second voltage, information handling system  10  may perform steps to leave the second (e.g., high-power) mode and return to the first (e.g., normal) mode. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 B , if there is more high voltage requirement or no request to continue supplying the second voltage, then at step  314 , PWM IC  48  communicates a TX-disable acknowledgement to housekeeping IC  46  operating in the RX-enabled mode. Housekeeping IC  46  informs EC  44  that PWM IC  48  is going to leave the second (higher) peak power mode. 
     At step  204 , information handling system  10  returns to operating at the first voltage. At step  316 , EC  44  informs information handling system  10  that PSU  40  is going to supply power to information handling system  10  at the first voltage. 
     At step  318 , power supplied by PSU  40  drops to the first voltage and information handling system  10  operates in a normal mode with PSU  40  providing power at the first voltage (e.g., 380 V). 
     Embodiments disclosed herein allow information handling systems  100  operating at a power level with a first voltage to operate at a higher voltage for a time period. The ability to operate at a higher voltage—even if only for a limited time period—enables information handling system  10  to process information and perform functions such that information handling system  10  does not need to throttle power and PSU  40  does not need to be oversized to accommodate situations in which more power is needed for limited time periods. For example, in power supply units operating under a D10 200 W specification, a typical information handling system may operate at a peak load for 10 ms at approximately 460%, whereas embodiments disclosed herein may operate at a peak load of 514% for 10 ms and other embodiments may operate at a peak load of 754% for 10 ms. 
     The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.