Patent Abstract:
A device may include an interconnect module that includes a number of ports, where each port is configured to receive both an alternating current (AC) power supply and a direct current (DC) power supply; where the interconnect module provides power from the received power supplies to a plurality of field replaceable units (FRUs).

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/867,882, filed Oct. 5, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,944,082, issued May 17, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Power supply systems for network devices generally provide power to multiple zones within the network devices and also contain backup power supplies commonly referred to as redundant power systems. In some circumstances, a direct current (DC) power system may provide N+N redundant power where N DC power supplies (e.g., N=2) provide power to the N zones within the device and N DC power supplies (e.g., N=2) provide backup power to the N zones. In other circumstances, an alternating current (AC) power supply system may provide M+1 redundant power, where M AC power supplies (e.g., M=3) provide power to the zones and one AC power supply provides redundant power. These existing N+N DC power systems and M+1 AC power systems typically require two different connection modules within the device or require separate and distinct connection ports within a same connection module within the device, which adds to both the cost and complexity of the device. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one aspect, a device is provided. The device may include a connection module that includes a number of ports, where each port is configured to receive both an alternating current (AC) power supply and a direct current (DC) power supply; where the connection module provides power from the received power supplies to a plurality of field replaceable units (FRUs). 
     According to another aspect, a method may include providing a first number of ports, where each port is configured to receive both an alternating current (AC) power supply and a direct current DC power supply; receiving into the first number of ports at least one of a first number of DC power supplies or a first number of AC power supplies; providing a second number of power zones; and delivering power to the second number of power zones, where N+N redundant power is applied to the second number of power zones when the first number of DC power supplies are received into the first number of ports and where M+1 redundant power is applied to the second number of power zones when the first number of AC power supplies are received into the first number of ports. 
     According to another aspect, a device may include two power zones, where each power zone includes a plurality of field replaceable units (FRUs); and a connection module, where the connection module includes four ports, where each port is configured to receive both an alternating current (AC) power supply and a direct current (DC) power supply, where the connection module connects the received four power supplies to the two power zones within the device. 
     According to another aspect, a device may include means for receiving a power supply, where the means for receiving a power supply is configured to receive both an alternating current (AC) power supply and a direct current (DC) power supply; and means for providing power to power zones, where N+N redundant power is applied to the power zones via the means for providing power when a plurality of DC power supplies are connected to a plurality of means for receiving a power supply and M+1 redundant power is applied to the power zones via the means for providing power when a plurality of AC power supplies are connected to a plurality of means for receiving a power supply. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments described herein and, together with the description, explain the embodiments. In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of an exemplary device connected to a network; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of the use of a connection module to supply N+N or M+1 redundant power to power zones within the exemplary device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the connection module of  FIG. 2  supplying redundant power within the exemplary device of  FIG. 1  according to a first N+N exemplary implementation; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate the connection module of  FIG. 2  supplying redundant power within the exemplary device of  FIG. 1  according to a first M+1 exemplary implementation; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate the connection module of  FIG. 2  supplying redundant power within the exemplary device of  FIG. 1  according to a second N+N exemplary implementation; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate the connection module of  FIG. 2  supplying redundant power within the exemplary device of  FIG. 1  according to a second M+1 exemplary implementation; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for supplying N+N or M+1 redundant power to the exemplary device of  FIG. 1  using the exemplary connection modules shown in  FIGS. 3A-6B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description of the embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the embodiments. Instead, the scope of the embodiments is defined by the appended claims and equivalents of the claimed features. 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary device  110  in which concepts described herein may be implemented. As shown, device  110  may connect to network  120 . Device  110  may include a network device for performing network-related functions, such as for example, a router, a server or a switch. Network  120  may include the Internet, an ad hoc network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a cellular network, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), any other network, or a combination of networks. Device  110  may communicate with other devices (not shown) and may communicate through a wired or wireless communication links via network  120 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the use of a connection module to supply N+N or M+1 redundant power connections to power zones within device  110  according to exemplary implementations described herein. Device  110  may include a number of field replaceable units (FRUs)  210 , a connection module  220 , a number of power entry modules (PEMs)  230 - 0  to  230 - 3  (collectively referred to as PEMs  230 ) that supply N+N redundant power  235 , and a number of power supplies (PSs)  240 - 0  to  240 - 3  (collectively referred to a PSs  240 ) that supply M+1 redundant power  245 . As shown, a number of FRUs  210  may be included in each of the power zones (i.e., zone  0  and zone  1  shown by way of example) within device  110 . 
     FRUs  210  may include any replaceable unit or assembly of electronic devices. When device  110  takes the form of a network device, such as a router, a web server, a switch, or the like, each FRU  210  may include a line card. FRUs  210  may be included in each of the different power zones within device  110  (e.g., zone  0  or zone  1 ). In one example, zone  0  may contain seven (7) FRUs  210  and zone  1  may contain seven (7) FRUs  210 . Continuing with this example, the total power required by device  110  may be 2400 Watts, where each of the 14 FRUs  210  may require 235 Watts and additionally, each zone may also include a cooling fan motor assembly (not shown) where each cooling fan motor assembly may require 150 Watts of power. FRUs  210  may include two input connections to receive power and two output connections to return power, where the two input connections may be diode-ORed together and the two output connections returning power may be diode-ORed together, for example. 
     Connection module  220  may include connection ports to receive power from PEMs  230  or PSs  240  and supply power to FRUs  210 . As described in  FIGS. 3A-6B  below, connection ports within connection module  220  may receive either one of a number of PEMs  230  or a number of power supplies (PSs)  240  and may supply N+N redundant power when PEMs  230  are connected and may supply M+1 redundant power when PSs  240  are connected to connection module  220 . 
     PEMs  230  may include a non load sharing DC power supply and connections necessary to connect to connection module  220 . PSs  240  may include a load sharing AC power supply, circuitry to convert AC power to DC power and connections necessary to connect DC power to connection module  220 . 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the connection module of  FIG. 2  supplying redundant power within the exemplary device of  FIG. 1  according to a first N+N exemplary implementation.  FIG. 3A  depicts connection module  220 , which includes midplane  310 , power over Ethernet connection  320  and interconnect module  330 , supplying N+N redundant power from multiple PEMs  230 - 0  through  230 - 3  to FRUs  210 . 
     Midplane  310  of connection module  220  may include electrical connections that may connect FRUs  210  to interconnect module  330 . Midplane  310  may also include a power over Ethernet connection  320  in order to provide power to FRUs  210  via an Ethernet connection. 
     Interconnect module  330  may include connection ports used to receive power from PEMs  230  and circuit pathways to deliver power to midplane  310 . For example, interconnect module  330  may include four connection ports  340 - 1  to  340 - 4  (collectively referred to as connection ports  340 ) that may receive power from four power entry modules PEMs  230  that may be plugged into ports  340 . As shown, each connection port  340  may include nine connection pins that may connect to respective power entry modules  230 . It should be understood that the number of pins contained in interconnect module  330  may be more or less depending on the requirements of a power delivery system of device  110  and/or the requirements of the power entry modules  230  plugged into ports  340 . Dashed line connections shown in interconnect module  330  indicate circuit pathways that are present, but, are not used in DC power connections, as described further below. 
     Power entry modules (PEMs)  230  may include a DC power supply and connections to enable power to be supplied from the DC power supply to interconnect module  330 . In this example, PEMs  230  may include nine pins that may be used to connect to interconnect module  330 . As mentioned above, it should be understood that the number of pins contained in PEMs  230  may be more or less depending on the requirements of a power delivery system of device  110  and/or the requirements of the interconnect module  330 . 
       FIG. 3B  shows an enlarged view of a port  340  and a PEM  230  as connected in  FIG. 3A . As shown, port  340  includes nine pins (labeled  1 - 9 ). Similarly, PEM  230  includes nine pins that connect to the nine pins in port  340 . In the example shown in  FIG. 3B , the first two pins of each PEM  230  may be connected to the positive terminal of the DC power supply, and the fourth and fifth pins of each PEM  230  may be connected to a negative side of the DC power supply. When PEMs  230  are plugged into ports  340  the first two pins of port  340  may receive power from the positive terminal of the DC power supply and the fourth and fifth pins of port  340  may return power to the negative side of the DC power supply. As the third and sixth pins of PEMs  230  are not connected to either the positive or negative terminals of a DC power supply, these pins do not supply or return power to/from interconnect module  330 . Therefore, in the example shown in  FIG. 3A , the dashed line connections between ports  340  using the third and sixth pins represent circuit paths that exist but do not perform power delivery. 
     Using the exemplary connection ports and circuit pathways included in interconnect module  330 , as shown in  FIG. 3A , PEM  230 - 0  supplies power to zone  0  FRUs  210  and PEM  230 - 1  supplies power to zone  1  FRUs  210 . PEM  230 - 2  supplies backup power to zone  0  FRUs  210  and PEM  230 - 3  supplies backup power to zone  1  FRUs  210 . In this manner, interconnect module  330  provides power from PEMs  230  in a 2+2 redundant manner, where two PEMs ( 230 - 0  and  230 - 1 ) provide power to the two zones, and each of the two PEMs ( 230 - 0  and  230 - 1 ) have a redundant or backup power supply (i.e., PEM  230 - 2  and  230 - 3  respectively). 
     Specifically, pins one and two of PEM  230 - 0  (and connection port  340 - 0 ) deliver power from the positive terminal of DC power supply to zone  0  FRUs  210 . Power returning from zone  0  FRUs  210  to the negative terminal of DC power supply may return via the fourth pin of connection port  340 - 0  (and PEM  230 - 0 ). Similarly, PEM  230 - 2  supplies backup power to zone  0  FRUs  210  in the same manner as PEM  230 - 0 . Pins one and two of PEM  230 - 1  (and connection port  340 - 1 ) deliver power from the positive terminal of DC power supply to zone  1  FRUs  210 . Power returning from zone  1  FRUs  210  to the negative terminal of DC power supply may return via the fourth pin of connection port  340 - 1  (and PEM  230 - 1 ). Similarly, PEM  230 - 3  supplies backup power to zone  1  FRUs  210  in the same manner as PEM  230 - 1 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate the connection module of  FIG. 2  supplying redundant power from AC power supplies within the exemplary device of  FIG. 1  according to a first M+1 exemplary implementation.  FIG. 4A  depicts connection module  220 , which includes midplane  310 , power over Ethernet connection  320  and interconnect module  330 , supplying M+1 redundant DC power from PSs  240 - 0  through  240 - 3  to FRUs  210 . 
     Interconnect module  330  may include connection ports used to receive power from PSs  240  and circuit pathways to deliver power to midplane  310 . For example, interconnect module  330  may include the same connection ports  340 - 1  to  340 - 4  (described above with respect to  FIG. 3A ) and which may receive output DC power from four AC power supplies PSs  240 - 0  to  240 - 3  that may be plugged into ports  340 . As shown, connection ports  340  may include nine connection pins that may connect to PSs  240 . It should be understood that the number of pins contained in interconnect module  330  may be more or less depending on the requirements of a power delivery system of device  110  and/or the requirements of the PSs  240  plugged into connection ports  340 . 
     Power supplies (PSs)  240  may include a load sharing AC power supply, AC to DC conversion circuitry and connections to enable output DC power to be supplied from PSs  240  to interconnect module  330 . In this example, PSs  240  may include nine pins that may be used to connect to connection ports  340  in interconnect module  330 . As mentioned above, it should be understood that the number of pins contained in PSs  240  may be more or less depending on the requirements of a power delivery system of device  110  and/or the requirements of the interconnect module  330 . 
       FIG. 4B  shows an enlarged view of a port  340  and a PS  240  as connected in  FIG. 4A . As shown, port  340  includes nine pins (labeled  1 - 9 ). Similarly, PS  240  includes nine pins that connect to the nine pins in port  340 . In the example shown in  FIG. 4B , the first three pins of each PS  240  may be connected to the positive (DC output) terminal of the AC power supply and the fourth, fifth and sixth pins of each PS  240  may be connected to a negative (DC output) terminal of the AC power supply. When each PS  240  is plugged into port  340  the first three pins of port  340  may receive power from the positive (DC output) terminal of the AC power supply and the fourth through sixth pins of port  340  may return power to the negative (DC output) terminal of the AC power supplies. As the seventh through ninth pins of each PS  240  are not connected to either the positive or negative terminals of an AC power supply, these pins do not supply or return power to/from interconnect module  330 . As the third and sixth pins of each PS  240  are connected to the positive and negative terminals of the AC power supply, the connections between ports  340  as shown in  FIG. 4A  are utilized, unlike  FIGS. 3A-3B . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the third and sixth pins are not connected to the DC power supply terminals, thus the dashed line connections shown in  FIG. 3A  are not used (i.e., do not perform power delivery/return). 
     Using the exemplary connections included in interconnect module  330  as shown in  FIG. 4A , PS  240 - 0 , PS  240 - 1 , PS  240 - 2  and PS  240 - 3  each supply power to zone  0  FRUs  210  and supply power to zone  1  FRUs  210 . Only three power supplies are required to deliver full power to the FRUs  210  and any one of the four PSs  240  may fail without impacting the system. In this manner, interconnect module  330  provides DC power from PSs  240  in a 3+1 redundant manner, where any three PSs provide power to both of the two zones, and one PS provides redundant or backup power to the two zones. 
     Specifically, regarding PS  240 - 0 , pins one and two of connection port  340 - 0  deliver power from the positive terminal of AC power supply (in PS  240 - 0 ) to zone  0  FRUs  210 . Power returning from the zone  0  FRUs  210  to the negative terminal of AC power supply (in PS  240 - 0 ) may return via the fourth and fifth pin of connection port  340 - 0 . Additionally, pin one of connection port  340 - 0  is connected to pin three of connection port  340 - 1 . In this manner, power may also be provided from PS  240 - 0  to zone  1  FRUs  210  via pin three of connection port  340 - 1 . 
     Regarding returning power from zone  1  FRUs  210 , pin  4  of connection port  340 - 0  (that carries returning power from zone  0  FRUs  210 ) may be connected to pin six of connection port  340 - 3 . In this manner, power is returned from zone  1  FRUs  210  to the negative terminals of AC power supplies included in both PS  240 - 0  and PS  240 - 3 . Connecting the positive terminals of power supplies included in PS  240 - 0  and PS  240 - 1  and the negative terminals of power supplies included in PS  240 - 0  and PS  240 - 3 , ensures that power supplies included in PS  240 - 0  and PS  240 - 1  are not directly connected in parallel. For example, if both the positive and negative terminals of the power supplies included in PS  240 - 0  and PS  240 - 1  were connected together, a short circuit (of either power supply) would cause power from both power supplies to be dissipated throughout the FRUs  210 . By connecting returning power (supplied from PS  240 - 0 ) from zone  0  FRUs  210  to PS  240 - 3  (via pin six of connection port  340 - 3 ), a short circuit of the power supply in PS  240 - 0  results in power from only that one power supply being dissipated throughout the system (as opposed to power from both the power supplies in PS  240 - 0  and PS  240 - 1 ). 
     Regarding PS  240 - 1 , pins one and two of connection port  340 - 1  deliver power from the positive terminal of AC power supply (in PS  240 - 1 ) to zone  1  FRUs  210 . Power returning from the zone  1  FRUs  210  to the negative terminal of AC power supply (in PS  240 - 1 ) may return via the fourth and fifth pin of connection port  340 - 1 . Additionally, pin one of connection port  340 - 1  is connected to pin three of connection port  340 - 0 . In this manner, power may also be provided from PS  240 - 1  to zone  0  FRUs  210 . 
     Regarding returning power (supplied by PS  240 - 1 ) from zone  0  FRUs  210 , pin  4  of connection port  340 - 1  (that carries returning power from zone  1  FRUs  210 ) may be connected to pin six of connection port  340 - 2 . In this manner, power is returned from zone  0  FRUs  210  to the negative terminals of AC power supplies included in both PS  240 - 1  and PS  240 - 0 . Connecting the positive terminals of power supplies included in PS  240 - 1  and PS  240 - 2  and the negative terminals of power supplies included in PS  240 - 1  and PS  240 - 2  ensures that power supplies included in PS  240 - 1  and PS  240 - 2  are not directly connected in parallel. For example, if both the positive and negative terminals of the power supplies included in PS  240 - 1  and PS  240 - 2  were connected together, a short circuit (of either power supply) would cause power from both power supplies to be dissipated throughout the FRUs  210 . By connecting returning power (supplied from PS  240 - 1 ) from zone  1  FRUs  210  to PS  240 - 2  (via pin six of connection port  340 - 2 ), a short circuit of the power supply in PS  240 - 1  results in power from only that one power supply being dissipated throughout the system (as opposed to power from both the power supplies in PS  240 - 1  and PS  240 - 2 ). 
     Regarding PS  240 - 2 , connection port  340 - 2  supplies power to zone  0  FRUs  210  and returns power (to PS  240 - 2 ) via pin four. Positive terminals of power supplies in PS  240 - 2  and PS  240 - 3  are connected together (via pins  1  and  3  of connection ports  340 - 2  and  340 - 3 ) while returning power via pin four of connection port  340 - 2  may be connected to the negative terminal of the power supply included in PS  240 - 1 . As described above, connecting the positive terminals of power supplied connected in PS  240 - 2  and  240 - 3  without connecting the returning power paths of PS  240 - 2  and PS  240 - 3 , ensures that a short circuit of the power supply contained in PS  240 - 2  results in power from only that one power supply being dissipated throughout the system. 
     Regarding PS  240 - 3 , connection port  340 - 3  supplies power to zone  1  FRUs  210  via pin one and returns power (to PS  240 - 3 ) via pin four. Positive terminals of power supplies in PS  240 - 2  and PS  240 - 3  are connected together (via pins  1  and  3  of connection ports  340 - 2  and  340 - 3 ) while returning power via pin four of connection port  340 - 3  may also be connected to the negative terminal of the power supply included in PS  240 - 0 . As described above, connecting the positive terminals of power supplied connected in PS  240 - 2  and  240 - 3  without connecting the returning power paths of PS  240 - 2  and PS  240 - 3 , ensures that a short circuit of the power supply contained in PS  240 - 3  results in power from only that one power supply being dissipated throughout the system. 
     As described above, the connections provided by interconnect module  330  allow power to be provided from each PS  240  to both zones ( 0  and  1 ). Also, the returning power connections provided by interconnect module  330  ensure that a short circuit of any power supply may be an isolated short circuit where power from only the shorted power supply is dissipated throughout the system. Further, as the connections provided by connection ports  340  (and midplane  310 ) are identical in both  FIGS. 3A and 4A , interconnect module  330  may receive either four AC power supplies (PSs  240 ) or may receive four DC power supplies (PEMs  230 ) and provide power to FRUs without requiring a change of connections. In this manner, interconnect module  330  may provide either N+N redundant power (2+2 as shown in  FIG. 3A ) and M+1 redundant power (3+1 as shown in  FIG. 4A ). 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate the connection module of  FIG. 2  supplying redundant power within the exemplary device of  FIG. 1  according to a second N+N exemplary implementation.  FIG. 5A  depicts connection module  220 , which includes midplane  510 , power over Ethernet connection  520  and interconnect module  530 , supplying N+N redundant power from PEMs  230 - 0  through  230 - 3  to FRUs  210 . 
     Midplane  510  may include electrical connections that may connect FRUs  210  to interconnect module  530 . Midplane  510  may also include a power over Ethernet connection  520  in order to provide power to FRUs  210  via an Ethernet connection. 
     Interconnect module  530  may include connection ports used to receive DC power from PEMs  230  and circuit pathways to deliver power to midplane  510 . For example, interconnect module  530  may include four connection ports  540 - 1  to  540 - 4  that may receive power from four power entry modules PEMs  230  that may be plugged into ports  540 . As shown, connection ports  540  may include nine connection pins that may connect to power entry modules  230 . It should be understood that the number of pins contained in interconnect module  530  may be more or less depending on the requirements of a power delivery system of device  110  and/or the requirements of the power entry modules  230  plugged into connection ports  540 . 
     Power entry modules (PEMs)  230  may include a DC power supply and connections to enable power to be supplied from the DC power supply to interconnect module  530 . In this example, PEMs  230  may include nine pins that may be used to connect to interconnect module  530 . As mentioned above, it should be understood that the number of pins contained in PEMs  230  may be more or less depending on the requirements of a power delivery system of device  110  and/or the requirements of the interconnect module  530 . 
       FIG. 5B  shows an enlarged view of a port  540  and a PEM  230  as connected in  FIG. 5A . As shown, port  540  includes nine pins (labeled  1 - 9 ). Similarly, PEM  230  includes nine pins that connect to the nine pins in port  540 . In the example shown in  FIG. 5B , the first two pins of connection port  540  may be connected to the positive terminal of the DC power supply and the fourth and fifth pins of connection port  540  may be connected to a negative side of the DC power supply. As the third and sixth pins of each PEM  230  are not connected to either the positive or negative terminals of a DC power supply, these pins do not supply or return power to/from interconnect module  530 . Therefore, in the example shown in  FIG. 5A , the dashed line connections between ports  540  using the third and sixth pins (are present, however) do not perform power delivery. 
     Using the exemplary connections included in interconnect module  530  as shown in  FIG. 5A , PEM  230 - 0  supplies power to zone  0  FRUs  210  and PEM  230 - 1  supplies power to zone  1  FRUs  210 . PEM  230 - 2  supplies backup power to zone  0  FRUs  210  and PEM  230 - 3  supplies backup power to zone  1  FRUs  210 . In this manner, interconnect module  530  provides power from PEMs  230  in a 2+2 redundant manner, where two PEMs ( 230 - 0  and  230 - 1 ) provide power to the two zones, and each of the two PEMs ( 230 - 0  and  230 - 1 ) have a redundant or backup power supply (i.e., PEM  230 - 2  and  230 - 3  respectively). 
     Specifically, pins one and two of PEM  230 - 0  (and connection port  540 - 0 ) deliver power from the positive terminal of DC power supply to zone  0  FRUs  210 . Power returning from zone  0  FRUs  210  to the negative terminal of DC power supply may return via the fourth pin of connection port  530  (and PEM  230 - 0 ). Similarly, PEM  230 - 2  supplies backup power to zone  0  FRUs  210  in the same manner as PEM  230 - 0 . Pins one and two of PEM  230 - 1  (and connection port  530 ) deliver power from the positive terminal of DC power supply to zone  1  FRUs  210 . Power returning from zone  1  FRUs  210  to the negative terminal of DC power supply may return via the fourth pin of connection port  540  (and PEM  230 - 1 ). Similarly, PEM  230 - 3  supplies backup power to zone  1  FRUs  210  in the same manner as PEM  230 - 1 . 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate the connection module of  FIG. 2  supplying redundant power within the exemplary device of  FIG. 1  according to a second M+1 exemplary implementation.  FIG. 6A  depicts connection module  220 , which includes midplane  510 , power over Ethernet connection  520  and interconnect module  530 , supplying M+1 redundant power received from AC power supplies included in PSs  240 - 0  through  240 - 3  to FRUs  210 . 
     Interconnect module  530  may include connection ports used to receive power from a device and circuit pathways to deliver power to midplane  510 . For example, interconnect module  530  may include four connection ports  540 - 1  to  540 - 4  that may receive DC output power from four AC power supplies PSs  240 - 0  to  240 - 3  that may be plugged into ports  540 . As shown, connection ports  540  may include nine connection pins that may connect to PSs  240 . It should be understood that the number of pins contained in interconnect module  530  may be more or less depending on the requirements of a power delivery system of device  110  and/or the requirements of the PSs  240  plugged into connection ports  540 . 
     Power supplies (PSs)  240  may include a load sharing AC power supply, AC to DC conversion circuitry and connections to enable output DC power to be supplied from the AC power supplies to interconnect module  530 . In this example, PSs  240  may include nine pins that may be used to connect to connection ports  540  in interconnect module  530 . As mentioned above, it should be understood that the number of pins contained in PSs  240  may be more or less depending on the requirements of a power delivery system of device  110  and/or the requirements of the interconnect module  530 . 
       FIG. 6B  shows an enlarged view of a port  540  and a PS  240  as connected in  FIG. 6A . As shown, port  540  includes nine pins (labeled  1 - 9 ). Similarly, PS  240  includes nine pins that connect to the nine pins in port  540 . In the example shown in  FIG. 6B , the first three pins of each PS  240  may be connected to the positive (DC output) terminal of the AC power supply and the fourth, fifth and sixth pins of each PS  240  may be connected to a negative (DC output) terminal of the AC power supply. When each PS  240  is plugged into port  540  the first three pins of port  540  may receive power from the positive (DC output) terminal of the AC power supply and the fourth through sixth pins of port  540  may return power to the negative (DC output) terminal of the AC power supplies included in PS  240 . As the seventh through ninth pins of each PS  240  are not connected to either the positive or negative terminals of an AC power supply, these pins do not supply or return power to/from interconnect module  530 . As the third and sixth pins of each PS  240  are connected to the positive and negative terminals of the AC power supply, the connections between ports  540  as shown in  FIG. 6A  are utilized, unlike  FIGS. 5A-5B . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the third and sixth pins are not connected to the DC power supply terminals, thus the dashed line connections shown in  FIG. 5A  are not used (i.e., do not perform power delivery/return). 
     Using the exemplary connection ports and circuit pathways included in interconnect module  530 , as shown in  FIG. 6A , PS  240 - 0 , PS  240 - 1 , PS  240 - 2  and PS  240 - 3  each supply power to zone  0  FRUs  210  and supply power to zone  1  FRUs  210 . Any one of the PSs  240  may supply backup power to zone  0  FRUs  210  and zone  1  FRUs  210 . In this manner, interconnect module  530  provides power from PSs  240  in a 3+1 redundant manner, where any three PSs provide sufficient power to both of the two zones, and one PS may provide redundant or backup power to the two zones. 
     Specifically regarding PS  240 - 0 , pins one and two of connection port  540 - 0  deliver power from the positive terminal of AC power supply (in PS  240 - 0 ) to zone  0  FRUs  210 . Power returning from the zone  0  FRUs  210  to the negative terminal of AC power supply (in PS  240 - 0 ) may return via the fourth and fifth pin of connection port  540 - 0 . Additionally, pin one of connection port  540 - 0  is connected to pin three of connection port  540 - 1 . In this manner, power may also be provided from PS  240 - 0  to zone  1  FRUs  210  via pin three of connection port  540 - 1 . 
     Regarding returning power from zone  1  FRUs  210 , pin four of connection port  540 - 0  (that carries returning power from zone  0  FRUs  210 ) may be connected to pin six of connection port  540 - 1 . In this manner, power is returned from zone  1  FRUs  210  to the negative terminals of AC power supplies included in both PS  240 - 0  and PS  240 - 1 . Connecting both the positive terminals of power supplies included in PS  240 - 0  and PS  240 - 1  and the negative terminals of power supplies included in PS  240 - 0  and PS  240 - 1  connects these power supplies in parallel. A short circuit of either of the power supplies included in PS  240 - 0  and PS  240 - 1  may cause power from both power supplies to be dissipated throughout the FRUs  210 , however as the power supplies are connected in parallel, this prevents twice the voltage of one power supply (due to a series connection) from being applied across the FRUs  210  if a short circuit occurs. 
     Regarding PS  240 - 1 , pins one and two of connection port  540 - 1  deliver power from the positive terminal of AC power supply (in PS  240 - 1 ) to zone  1  FRUs  210 . Power returning from the zone  1  FRUs  210  to the negative terminal of AC power supply (in PS  240 - 1 ) may return via the fourth and fifth pin of connection port  540 - 1 . Additionally, pin one of connection port  540 - 1  is connected to pin three of connection port  540 - 0 . In this manner, power may also be provided from PS  240 - 1  to zone  0  FRUs  210 . 
     Regarding returning power (supplied by PS  240 - 1 ) from zone  0  FRUs  210 , pin  4  of connection port  540 - 1  (that carries returning power from zone  1  FRUs  210 ) may be connected to pin six of connection port  540 - 0 . In this manner, power is returned from zone  0  FRUs  210  to the negative terminals of AC power supplies included in both PS  240 - 1  and PS  240 - 0 . Connecting the positive terminals of power supplies included in PS  240 - 1  and PS  240 - 0  and the negative terminals of power supplies included in PS  240 - 1  and PS  240 - 0  connects these power supplies in parallel, which prevents twice the voltage of one power supply (due to a series connection) from being applied across the FRUs  210  if a short circuit occurs. 
     Regarding PS  240 - 2 , pins one and two of connection port  540 - 2  deliver power from the positive terminal of AC power supply (in PS  240 - 2 ) to zone  0  FRUs  210 . Power returning from the zone  0  FRUs  210  to the negative terminal of AC power supply (in PS  240 - 2 ) may return via the fourth and fifth pin of connection port  540 - 2 . Additionally, pin one of connection port  540 - 2  is connected to pin three of connection port  540 - 3 . In this manner, power may also be provided from PS  240 - 2  to zone  1  FRUs  210 . 
     Regarding returning power (supplied by PS  240 - 2 ) from zone  1  FRUs  210 , pin  4  of connection port  540 - 2  (that carries returning power from zone  0  FRUs  210 ) may be connected to pin six of connection port  540 - 3 . In this manner, power is returned from zone  1  FRUs  210  to the negative terminals of AC power supplies included in both PS  240 - 2  and PS  240 - 3 . Connecting the positive terminals of power supplies included in PS  240 - 2  and PS  240 - 3  and the negative terminals of power supplies included in PS  240 - 2  and PS  240 - 3  connects these power supplies in parallel, which prevents twice the voltage of one power supply (due to a series connection) from being applied across the FRUs  210  if a short circuit occurs. 
     Regarding PS  240 - 3 , pins one and two of connection port  540 - 3  deliver power from the positive terminal of AC power supply (in PS  240 - 3 ) to zone  1  FRUs  210 . Power returning from the zone  1  FRUs  210  to the negative terminal of AC power supply (in PS  240 - 3 ) may return via the fourth and fifth pin of connection port  540 - 3 . Additionally, pin one of connection port  540 - 3  is connected to pin three of connection port  540 - 2 . In this manner, power may also be provided from PS  240 - 3  to zone  0  FRUs  210 . 
     Regarding returning power (supplied by PS  240 - 3 ) from zone  0  FRUs  210 , pin  4  of connection port  540 - 3  (that carries returning power from zone  1  FRUs  210 ) may be connected to pin six of connection port  540 - 2 . In this manner, power is returned from zone  0  FRUs  210  to the negative terminals of AC power supplies included in both PS  240 - 2  and PS  240 - 3 . As described above, connecting the positive terminals of power supplies included in PS  240 - 2  and PS  240 - 3  and the negative terminals of power supplies included in PS  240 - 2  and PS  240 - 3  connects these power supplies in parallel, which prevents twice the voltage of one power supply (due to a series connection) from being applied across the FRUs  210  if a short circuit occurs. 
       FIG. 7  is an exemplary process  700  of delivering power using connection module  220 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A-6B . Referring to  FIGS. 3A-6B , process  700  may begin by providing a first number of ports via an interconnect module (block  710 ). As shown in both  FIGS. 3A and 4A  for example, four connection ports  340 - 0  to  340 - 3 , may be included in interconnect module  330 . Also, as shown in both  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 6A  for example, four connection ports  540 - 0  to  540 - 3  may be included in interconnect module  530 . Process  700  may continue by receiving either a first number of DC power supplies or a first number of AC power supplies into the interconnect module (block  720 ). As shown in  FIG. 3A  for example, four connection ports  340 - 0  to  340 - 3  in interconnect module  330  may receive four DC PEMs  230 - 0  to  230 - 3 . As shown in  FIG. 4A  for example, the same four connection ports  340 - 0  to  340 - 3  in interconnect module  330  may also receive four AC power supplies PSs  240 - 0  to  240 - 3 . As shown in  FIG. 5A  for example, four connection ports  540 - 0  to  540 - 3  in interconnect module  530  may receive four PEMs  230 - 0  to  230 - 3 . As shown in  FIG. 6A  for example, the same four connection ports  540 - 0  to  540 - 3  in interconnect module  330  may also receive four AC power supplies PSs  240 - 0  to  240 - 3 . Once connected via ports ( 340  or  540 ), either N+N (e.g., 2+2) redundant power or M+1 (e.g., 3+1) redundant power may be provided via the interconnect module (block  730 ). 
     In other examples, interconnect module  330  may include two or six connection ports  340 . In these examples, the number of power zones within device  110  may be one or three respectively. For example, if interconnect module  330  includes only two connection ports  340 , there may be only one power zone for the FRUs  210 . With only two connection ports  340 , 1+1 redundant DC input/DC output power and 1+1 redundant AC input/DC output power may be provided to the single power zone. Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 4A , connection ports  340 - 0  and  340 - 2  in interconnect module  330  may be used to provide 1+1 redundant DC input/DC output power and 1+1 redundant AC input/DC output power to the single power zone (zone  0 ). 
     If interconnect module  330  includes six connection ports  340 , there may be three power zones for the FRUs  210 . With six connection ports  340 , 3+3 redundant power and 5+1 redundant power may be provided to the three power zones. Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 4A , two additional connection ports  340  may be required to provide 3+3 redundant power and 5+1 redundant power to the three power zones. In this example, when supplying DC power, the two additional connection ports  340  may be connected such that one port provides power and one port provides backup power (as shown in  FIG. 3A ) and when supplying AC power, the two additional ports  340  may be connected (via interconnect module  330 ) in the same manner as ports  340 - 2  and  340 - 3  (as shown in  FIG. 4A ) to supply power to the third power zone. In this example, the positive terminals of additional power supplies may be connected without connecting the returning power paths directly, as described above. 
     In other examples, interconnect module  530  may include two or six connection ports  540 . In these examples, the number of power zones within device  110  may be one or three respectively. For example, if interconnect module  530  includes only two connection ports  540 , there may be only one power zone for the FRUs  210 . With only two connection ports  540 , 1+1 redundant DC input/DC output power and 1+1 redundant AC input/DC output power may be provided to the single power zone. Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 6A  for example, connection ports  540 - 0  and  540 - 2  may be used to provide 1+1 redundant DC input/DC output power and 1+1 redundant AC input/DC output power to a single power zone (zone  0 ). 
     If interconnect module  530  includes six connection ports  540 , there may be three power zones for the FRUs  210 . With six connection ports  540 , 3+3 redundant power and 5+1 redundant power may be provided to the three power zones. Referring to  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 6A , two additional connection ports  540  may be required to provide 3+3 redundant power and 5+1 redundant power to the three power zones. In this example, when supplying DC power, the two additional connection ports  540  are connected such that one port provides power and one port provides backup power (as shown in  FIG. 5A ) and when supplying AC power, the two additional ports  540  may be connected (via interconnect module  530 ) in the same manner as ports  540 - 2  and  540 - 3  (as shown in  FIG. 6A ) to supply power to the third power zone. In this example, both the positive and negative terminals of additional power supplies may be connected, as described above. 
     As described above, as the connections provided by interconnect module  530  and connection ports  540  (and midplane  510 ) are identical in  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 6A , interconnect module  530  may receive a number of AC power supplies or may receive a number of DC power supplies and provide power to FRUs  210  without requiring a change of connections. In this manner, interconnect module  530  may provide either one of N+N redundant power or M+1 redundant power. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Implementations described herein may allow ports within an interconnect module to receive either an AC power supply or a DC power supply. Connections within the interconnection module allow for either N+N redundant power or M+1 redundant power to be applied to power zones within the device. 
     The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present embodiments provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the embodiments. For example, while series of acts have been described with regard to  FIG. 7 , the order of the acts may differ or be performed in parallel in other implementations consistent with the present embodiments. Furthermore, various implementations have been described with respect to two power zones and using 2+2 redundant power distribution or 3+1 redundant power distribution. However, the connection module described herein may be applied, with minor modifications, to any N+N or M+1 redundant power distribution system. 
     Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the invention. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. 
     No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the principles of the embodiments should be construed as critical unless explicitly described as such. Also as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8