Abstract: Systems and methods for backlight dimming via buck-boost conversion in an information handling system (IHS) are described. In some embodiments, an IHS may include an embedded controller (EC), and a memory coupled to the EC, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the EC to: determine a characteristic of a display having a backlight; and dim the display by controlling a buck-boost converter to reduce a voltage applied to the backlight.

Abstract: A disclosed information handling system is coupled to a power adapter that is coupled to an AC line power source. The system includes an embedded controller storing instructions executable to determine that a trigger condition for limiting electrical power drawn by the system from the power adapter is met and, in response to the determination and in accordance with a low power operating mode, to limit electrical power drawn from the power adapter by the system to an amount less than or equal to the lesser of a power rating of the power adapter and a capacity of the AC line power source to supply electrical power. Limiting the electrical power drawn from the power adapter may include limiting the electrical power consumed by operation of the system or limiting a rate at which an internal battery of the system is charged by electrical power supplied by the power adapter.

Abstract: A cooling system for an information handling system in a portable chassis comprises a fan housing containing two counterrotating impellers, wherein the axes of rotation of the two impellers are aligned with an axis of orientation relative to a rear surface of the portable chassis. By changing the angle of the axis of orientation, impellers with larger diameters may be positioned in the same fan area for increased volumetric airflow. The shape of the fan housing, the diameter of each impeller and the angle of the axis of orientation may be selected to direct and distribute a greater volumetric airflow for improved cooling of components in the portable chassis.

Abstract: A method and system for supplying power at a voltage selected from a plurality of voltages. Power is initially received at a first voltage. Embodiments communicate with an AC adapter to get device identification and see if the AC adapter supports other voltages. If so, embodiments communicate with the AC adapter to get more information about the adapter and identify what voltages the adapter is capable of providing. If one of the voltages would allow an information handling system to operate more efficiently, embodiments negotiate a power supply contract to operate at a second voltage. When the information handling system powers down, the system resets to operation at the initial voltage.

Abstract: A high-performance single barrel power connector for receiving electric power may be capable of receiving more than 330 W up to approximately 600 W of power. The V+ pin and V? pin may each be configured with a large plurality of contact points for connecting to a power plug. A connector body retaining the V+ pin and V? pin may configured with openings to expose more of the V+ pin and V? pin to air and allow the V+ pin and V? pin to extend out of the power connector for convective and conductive heat transfer. A shell having a high thermal conductivity may be connected to the V? pin and V? pin and further connected to a bracket for increased heat transfer away from the V+ and V? pins.

Abstract: A high-performance single barrel power connector for receiving electric power may be capable of receiving more than 330 W up to approximately 600 W of power. The V+ pin and V? pin may each be configured with a large plurality of contact points for connecting to a power plug. A connector body retaining the V+ pin and V? pin may configured with openings to expose more of the V+ pin and V? pin to air and allow the V+ pin and V? pin to extend out of the power connector for convective and conductive heat transfer. A shell having a high thermal conductivity may be connected to the V? pin and V? pin and further connected to a bracket for increased heat transfer away from the V+ and V? pins.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning an electronic device to a wireless charging pad disposed under a work surface are described. In some embodiments, a system may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a light indicator coupled to the PCB, where the light indicator is configured to connect to a wireless charging pad disposed under a work surface, and where light emitted by the light indicator is visible to a user from above the work surface.

Abstract: A disclosed wireless charging clip for an information handling system includes a first surface comprising a charging coil, a ferrite sheet positioned below the first surface, mating elements to be coupled to respective mating elements of the information handling system when the charging clip is installed on the information handling system, charging circuitry configured supply inductive power to charge an auxiliary device when the device is placed on top of the first surface, and a connector through which input power is received from the information handling system when the charging clip is installed. The charging coil may include multiple graphene layers. The charging clip may include a second surface and a third surface including the connector through which input power is received from the information handling system. The mating elements may include magnets to align and hold the charging clip in position with respect to the information handling system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for powering an Information Handling System (IHS). The system includes a multimode AC adapter that reports supported outputs, including USB-PD (Universal Serial Bus Power Delivery) outputs and also including high-power outputs of a voltage greater than the USB-PD output voltages. The IHS detects a coupling of the multimode AC adapter to a USB-C port of the IHS. Based on information provided by the multimode adapter, the IHS determines the multimode adapter supports transmission of the high-power outputs to the USB-C port. The high-power outputs are negotiated and a power circuit of the IHS is configured for converting the negotiated high-power output. The configured power circuit converts the negotiated high-power output received via the USB-C port to an input utilized by the IHS. The high-power conversion circuit may provide efficient conversion of input voltages of up to 60 volts to voltages for use by the IHS.

Abstract: Systems and components are provided for charging an Information Handling System (IHS). Systems include an AC adapter configured to report attributes of the adapter. The adapter includes a DC cord that supports a data channel. The DC plug includes a circuit for operating an indicator light based on an control signal. The system includes a power port controller that receives the reported adapter attributes, determines a charging state of the IHS; generates the control signal based on the determined charging state; and transmits the control signal to the indictor light circuit via the data channel. The indicator control signal may be used to operate indicator lights on both ends of a reversible DC cord. The indicator control signal may specify a color or brightness of the indicator and may indicate a charging state of the IHS.

Abstract: A cooling system for an information handling system in a portable chassis comprises a fan housing containing two counterrotating impellers, wherein the axes of rotation of the two impellers are aligned with an axis of orientation relative to a rear surface of the portable chassis. By changing the angle of the axis of orientation, impellers with larger diameters may be positioned in the same fan area for increased volumetric airflow. The shape of the fan housing, the diameter of each impeller and the angle of the axis of orientation may be selected to direct and distribute a greater volumetric airflow for improved cooling of components in the portable chassis.

Abstract: A variable power bus (VPB) cable, such as a USB Type-C cable, is validated for actual current capacity with respect to a specified power rating for the cable. The power cable validation is performed when the cable is connected to a power storage adapter and a portable information handling system. The validation includes, prior to negotiating a power delivery contract for electrical power to be supplied to the information handling system from the VPB port via the VPB cable, applying a first voltage to the VPB cable to identify a first indication of a current capacity of the VPB cable; and when the first indication confirms that the current capacity of the VPB cable corresponds to a specified power rating for the VPB cable, enabling the power delivery contract to be negotiated according to the specified power rating, otherwise blocking the power delivery contract using the VPB cable.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide wireless power to an Information Handling System (IHS). A multimode wireless power transmission unit supports USB-PD (Universal Serial Bus Power Delivery) power transmissions and also supports a high-power transmission of a voltage greater than USB-PD transmission voltages. The IHS detects the wireless coupling of the wireless power transmission unit. As part of this coupling, the IHS determines whether the wireless power transmission unit supports high-power transmissions. A wireless power transfer is negotiated and a power circuit of the IHS is configured for converting the negotiated high-power transmission to an input utilized by the IHS. Embodiments utilize a power circuit that provides efficient conversion of power transmissions of up to 60 volts. This same power circuit also provides efficient conversion of power transmissions of up to 60 volts by a multimode USB-C power adapter.

Abstract: A disclosed method for LED control for a detachable reversable power cable includes detecting, at a power source, that a first connector at a first end of the power cable is connected to the power source, triggering, at the power source, a first pulse on a first wire of the power cable that turns off a first LED switch coupled to a first LED on the first connector, disabling the first LED, and triggering, at the power source, a second pulse on a second wire of the power cable that drives a second LED on a second connector at a second end of the power cable opposite the first end, the second LED being coupled to a second LED switch that is on. The method further includes, responsive to detecting that the second connector is connected to a power sink, modifying a driver path for the second LED.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adaptively powering an Information Handling System (IHS) using a multimode AC adapter. Information reported by the multimode adapter is utilized to determine whether it supports USB-PD power transmissions and also supports high-power transmissions. The power demand of the IHS is monitored. When the power demand is greater than the USB-PD power levels, the multimode adapter is configured for providing a high-power transmission and a power circuit of the IHS is configured for converting the high-power transmission to a voltage used by the IHS. When the power demand is not greater than the USB-PD power levels, the multimode adapter is configured for providing a USB-PD transmission. Some embodiments may detect events associated with high power demand and may preemptively configure the power circuit of the IHS for providing high-power outputs upon detecting such events.

Abstract: Systems and methods for backlight dimming via buck-boost conversion in an information handling system (IHS) are described. In some embodiments, an IHS may include an embedded controller (EC), and a memory coupled to the EC, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the EC to: determine a characteristic of a display having a backlight; and dim the display by controlling a buck-boost converter to reduce a voltage applied to the backlight.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for powering an Information Handling System (IHS) that receives a high-power transmission from a multimode AC adapter supporting USB-PD transmission and also supporting the high-power transmissions of a voltage greater than the supported USB-PD voltages. A power circuit converts the high-power transmission to a charging voltage used to charge a battery system of the IHS. After the multimode AC adapter is unplugged from the IHS, power is drawing power from the battery system of the IHS. When the battery system drops below a low-voltage threshold, the power drawn from the battery system is routed to the same power circuit. While operating this low-voltage threshold, power is drawn from the battery system via the power circuit. When the battery system drops below a second low-voltage threshold, an off power state of the IHS is initiated.

Abstract: A disclosed wireless charging clip for an information handling system includes a first surface comprising a charging coil, a ferrite sheet positioned below the first surface, mating elements to be coupled to respective mating elements of the information handling system when the charging clip is installed on the information handling system, charging circuitry configured supply inductive power to charge an auxiliary device when the device is placed on top of the first surface, and a connector through which input power is received from the information handling system when the charging clip is installed. The charging coil may include multiple graphene layers. The charging clip may include a second surface and a third surface including the connector through which input power is received from the information handling system. The mating elements may include magnets to align and hold the charging clip in position with respect to the information handling system.

Abstract: A disclosed information handling system is coupled to a power adapter that is coupled to an AC line power source. The system includes an embedded controller storing instructions executable to determine that a trigger condition for limiting electrical power drawn by the system from the power adapter is met and, in response to the determination and in accordance with a low power operating mode, to limit electrical power drawn from the power adapter by the system to an amount less than or equal to the lesser of a power rating of the power adapter and a capacity of the AC line power source to supply electrical power. Limiting the electrical power drawn from the power adapter may include limiting the electrical power consumed by operation of the system or limiting a rate at which an internal battery of the system is charged by electrical power supplied by the power adapter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for backlight dimming via buck-boost conversion in an information handling system (IHS) are described. In some embodiments, an IHS may include an embedded controller (EC), and a memory coupled to the EC, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the EC to: determine a characteristic of a display having a backlight; and dim the display by controlling a buck-boost converter to reduce a voltage applied to the backlight.