Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling computing device expansion modules based on airflow rates are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining airflow rates in areas available for operable connection of expansion modules within a computing device during operation of the computing device. The method also includes determining expected power consumption of the expansion modules. Further, the method includes presenting placement of the expansion modules in the areas based on the determined airflow rates and the expected power consumption of the expansion modules.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling computing device expansion modules based on airflow rates are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining airflow rates in areas available for operable connection of expansion modules within a computing device during operation of the computing device. The method also includes determining expected power consumption of the expansion modules. Further, the method includes presenting placement of the expansion modules in the areas based on the determined airflow rates and the expected power consumption of the expansion modules.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a voltage regulator including a high-side field-effect transistor, a low-side field-effect transistor, an inductor, and a conductive net connecting the high-side field-effect transistor, the low-side field-effect transistor and the inductor. The apparatus further includes an attenuation circuit coupled to the conductive net, wherein the attenuation circuit includes an electronic switch that enables and disables an amount of attenuation provided by the attenuation circuit. Examples of the attenuation circuit include a snubber circuit and a boost resistor circuit.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for adjusting voltage settings, according to one embodiment, includes: determining a number of components electrically coupled to an output of a voltage regulator; determining voltage tolerance information corresponding to each of the number of components; determining a voltage tolerance limit of the voltage regulator; using the determined voltage tolerance information in combination with the voltage tolerance limit of the voltage regulator to determine whether an output voltage of the voltage regulator can be reduced; calculating an amount by which to reduce an output voltage of the voltage regulator in response to determining that the output voltage of the voltage regulator can be reduced; and sending one or more instructions to the voltage regulator to reduce the output voltage of the voltage regulator by the calculated amount.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: monitoring one or more types of system performance data, determining whether a current value corresponding to each of the types of system performance data is outside a respective predefined range, sending instructions to make adjustments to settings of a voltage regulator in response to determining that a current value corresponding to one of the types of system performance data is outside a respective predefined range, and performing an iterative process. The iterative process includes: determining whether an updated value corresponding to the one of the types of system performance data is outside the respective predefined range, and sending instructions to make additional adjustments to the settings of the voltage regulator in response to determining that the updated value corresponding to the one of the types of system performance data is outside the respective predefined range.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for adjusting voltage settings, according to one embodiment, includes: determining a number of components electrically coupled to an output of a voltage regulator; determining voltage tolerance information corresponding to each of the number of components; determining a voltage tolerance limit of the voltage regulator; using the determined voltage tolerance information in combination with the voltage tolerance limit of the voltage regulator to determine whether an output voltage of the voltage regulator can be reduced; calculating an amount by which to reduce an output voltage of the voltage regulator in response to determining that the output voltage of the voltage regulator can be reduced; and sending one or more instructions to the voltage regulator to reduce the output voltage of the voltage regulator by the calculated amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for voltage regulation device adjustment includes a configuration module that determines a configuration of an electronic device, where determining the configuration includes determining which components are installed and information about the installed components. The electronic device includes a voltage regulator device (“VRD”) providing power to one or more of the components. The apparatus includes an environment module that measures one or more environmental variables relating to an operating environment of the electronic device. The apparatus includes a firmware selection module that selects new firmware for the VRD of the electronic device in response to the determined configuration and measured environmental variables, and a firmware update module that replaces previously installed firmware on the VRD with the new firmware. The new firmware includes control settings for the VRD.

Abstract: A method includes sensing, using a current sensing circuit of a voltage regulator, an apparent amount of current output from the voltage regulator and identifying a present value of at least one operating parameter for the voltage regulator. The method further includes determining at least one current sense correction factor as a function of the identified present value of the at least one operating parameter, and calculating a corrected amount of current output from the voltage regulator as a function of the apparent amount of the current output and the at least one current sense correction factor. Still further, the method includes reporting the corrected amount of current to an integrated circuit that receives current output from the voltage regulator. The method may be performed in an apparatus, such as a server, that includes the voltage regulator, a baseboard management controller, and the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for voltage regulation device adjustment includes a configuration module that determines a configuration of an electronic device, where determining the configuration includes determining which components are installed and information about the installed components. The electronic device includes a voltage regulator device (“VRD”) providing power to one or more of the components. The apparatus includes an environment module that measures one or more environmental variables relating to an operating environment of the electronic device. The apparatus includes a firmware selection module that selects new firmware for the VRD of the electronic device in response to the determined configuration and measured environmental variables, and a firmware update module that replaces previously installed firmware on the VRD with the new firmware. The new firmware includes control settings for the VRD.

Abstract: The Power Conversion Unit includes a single stage rectifier circuit that generates a DC voltage which is stored on a first capacitor. A circuit arrangement connected to the first capacitor monitors the DC voltage at the capacitor and other predefined signals to generate signals for smoothing ripples associated with the DC voltage and maintains the DC voltage at a predefined level for a predefined time interval. The holdup and smoothing voltages are generated by developing and storing a high voltage on a second capacitor. A switching device connected to the second capacitor causes energy to flow from the second capacitor into the primary winding of a transformer whose secondary winding are switched to deposit the energy stored in said transformer onto the first capacitor. A circuit for charging the second capacitor is also provided.

Abstract: The Power Conversion Unit includes a single stage rectifier circuit that generates a DC voltage which is stored on a first capacitor. A circuit arrangement connected to the first capacitor monitors the DC voltage at the capacitor and other predefined signals to generate signals for smoothing ripples associated with the DC voltage and maintains the DC voltage at a predefined level for a predefined time interval. The holdup and smoothing voltages are generated by developing and storing a high voltage on a second capacitor. A switching device connected to the second capacitor causes energy to flow from the second capacitor into the primary winding of a transformer whose secondary winding are switched to deposit the energy stored in said transformer onto the first capacitor. A circuit for charging the second capacitor is also provided.