System and method for power good monitor for multiple information handling system power supplies
AssigneeDell Products L.P.
InventorsRichard Tonry, Nikolai Vyssotski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A switched power rail monitor compares voltages provided by a switched power rail and a power source to detect a predetermined differential indicative of a fault at the switched power rail. A switched power rail fault is communicated to a power manager to take corrective action, such as cutting off power to information handling system components. In one embodiment, a pair of bipolar junction transistors monitor the voltage differential to send an enable signal if the differential is within limits and a disable signal if the differential exceeds limits.
Claims20
An information handling system comprising:
- plural processing components operable to process information;
- a power supply operable to provide power to the processing components;
- a first switched power rail operable to communicate power from the power supply to one or more processing components, the first switched power rail having a first switch that selectively interfaces the first switched power rail and the power supply;
- a second switched power rail operable to communicate power from the power supply to one or more processing components, the second switched power rail having a second switch that selectively interfaces the second switched power rail and the power supply;
- a power manager operable to manage application of power from the power supply to the first and second switched power rails;
- and
- a power good monitor interfaced with the first and second switched power rails and the power manager, the power good monitor operable to detect a failure associated with each of the switched power rails and to communicate the failure of any one switched power rail to the power manager.
A method for providing power to information handling system components, the method comprising:
- outputting power from a power source at a reference voltage;
- selectively engaging a first switch to apply the power source to a first switched power rail;
- powering a component with the first switched power rail at a first switched power rail voltage;
- selectively engaging a second switch to apply the power source to a second switched power rail;
- powering a component with the second switched power rail at a second switched power rail voltage;
- comparing the reference voltage with the first and second switched power rail voltage to detect a fault associated with the first or second switched power rail;
- and
- ceasing the outputting of power from the power source in response to the fault.
A system for detecting a switched power rail fault, the system comprising:
- a first device interfaced with a power source having a reference voltage and with first and second switched power rails, each having a switched power rail voltage and a switch to selectively interface the power source and the respective switched power rail, the first device operable to output a first current if the reference voltage and the switched power rail voltage have a predetermined differential and a second current if the reference voltage and either of the switched power rail voltage lack the predetermined differential;
- and
- a second device interfaced with the first device, the second device operable to output an enable signal if the first device outputs the first current and a disable signal if the first device outputs the second current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.