System for distributing power in CPCI computer architecture

A compact peripheral component interconnect (CPCI) computer architecture, comprising:

• a plurality of CPCI systems each having respective backplanes, said backplanes further having respective local power rails providing power for a corresponding one of said plurality of CPCI systems;
• a power distribution system providing power to said backplanes, said power distribution system comprising a common power rail connected to each one of said local power rails of said backplanes;
• and
• a plurality of power supplies connected to said common power rail of said power distribution system:
• wherein power taken from any one of said plurality of power supplies is available to any one of said backplanes;
• wherein said power distribution system further comprises a plurality of current sense circuits connected to respective ones of said backplanes;
• and
• wherein said power distribution system further comprises a plurality of switches coupled with said current sense circuits at least one of said current sense circuits controlling at least one of said switches and each of said plurality of switches being adapted to disconnect power from said power distribution system to a corresponding one of said backplanes upon detection of an excessive amount of power demanded by said corresponding one of said backplanes.

A power distribution system for use in a compact peripheral component interconnect (CPCI) computer architecture comprising a plurality of CPCI systems each having respective backplanes, said backplanes further having respective local power rails providing power for a corresponding one of said plurality of CPCI systems, said power distribution system comprises:

• a power distribution board providing power to said backplanes, said power distribution system comprising a common power rail connected to each one of said local power rails of said backplanes;
• and
• a plurality of power supplies connected to said common power rail of said power distribution system;
• wherein power taken from any one of said plurality of power supplies is available to any one of said backplanes;
• wherein said power distribution board further comprises a plurality of current sense circuits connected to respective ones of said backplanes;
• and
• wherein said power distribution board further comprises a plurality of switches coupled with said current sense circuits, at least one of said current sense circuits controlling at least one of said switches and each of said plurality of switches being adapted to disconnect power from said power distribution board to a corresponding one of said backplanes upon detection of an excessive amount of power demanded by said corresponding one of said backplanes.