Actively controlled series string power supply

A method for actively controlling power in a series string load, the method comprising:

• distributing power from a power supply unit (PSU) providing a DC output voltage to the series string load, the series string load comprising a plurality of load sub-strings, each sub-string comprising one or more load elements connected to each other in series, using a plurality of voltage regulation modules (VRMs), each VRM respectively converting an input voltage from a first input and a second input to produce an output voltage at an output to supply a respective one of the plurality of load sub-strings connected between the output and the second input of each VRM, wherein the respective inputs of the plurality of VRMs are connected together in series with the PSU;
• controlling power distribution using a central controller that receives signals from each VRM describing an output voltage applied to its respective connected load elements, and responsively transmits signals to each VRM to adjust the output voltage applied to its respective connected load elements;
• and
• monitoring, by the central controller, a voltage drop across at least one of the load elements comprising a plurality of processing cores connected together in parallel, and selectively disabling or enabling individual ones of the plurality of processing cores based on the monitored voltage drop to adjust a resistance of the at least one of the load elements.

A computer program product, comprising a hardware storage medium containing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

• distributing power from a power supply unit (PSU) providing a DC output voltage to a series string load, the series string load comprising a plurality of load sub-strings, each sub-string comprising one or more load elements connected to each other in series, using a plurality of voltage regulation modules (VRMs), each VRM respectively converting an input voltage from a first input and a second input to produce an output voltage at an output to supply a respective one of the plurality of load sub-strings connected between the output and the second input of each VRM, wherein the respective inputs of the plurality of VRMs are connected together in series with the PSU;
• controlling power distribution using a central controller that receives signals from each VRM describing an output voltage applied to its respective connected load elements, and responsively transmits signals to each VRM to adjust the output voltage applied to its respective connected load elements;
• and
• monitoring, by the central controller, a voltage drop across at least one of the load elements comprising a plurality of processing cores connected together in parallel, and selectively disabling or enabling individual ones of the plurality of processing cores based on the monitored voltage drop to adjust a resistance of the at least one of the load elements.

A system for actively controlling power in a series string load, the system comprising:

• means for supplying power, providing a DC output voltage;
• the series string load, comprising a plurality of load sub-strings, each sub-string comprising one or more load elements connected to each other in series;
• a plurality of means for regulating voltage, each means for regulating voltage respectively converting an input voltage from a first input and a second input to produce an output voltage at an output to supply a respective one of the plurality of load sub-strings connected between the output and the second input of each means for regulating voltage, wherein the respective inputs of the plurality of means for regulating voltage are connected together in series with the means for supplying power;
• and
• means for controlling that receives signals from each means for regulating voltage describing an output voltage applied to its respective connected load elements, and responsively transmits signals to each means for regulating voltage to adjust the output voltage applied to its respective connected load elements;
• wherein at least one of the load elements comprises a plurality of processing cores connected together in parallel, wherein the means for controlling monitors a voltage drop across the plurality of processing cores and selectively disables or enables individual ones of the plurality of processing cores based on the monitored voltage drop to adjust a resistance of the at least one of the load elements.