Abstract: A voltage regulator. The voltage regulator includes an interposer having, on a first side, a plurality of electrical connections suitable for coupling to a printed circuit board (PCB). The interposer also includes at least one power plane and at least one ground plane, wherein each of the power and ground planes is coupled to one or more of the electrical connections. The voltage regulator further includes a DC-DC converter that is electro-mechanically attachable to and detachable from the interposer. The interposer includes a socket, on a second side, that is suitable to receive two or more electro-mechanical connecting members of the DC-DC converter. When the DC-DC converter is attached to the interposer, at least one of the electromechanical connecting members is electrically coupled to a power plane of the interposer, while at least one other one of the electromechanical connecting members is electrically coupled to the ground plane.

Abstract: A voltage regulator. The voltage regulator includes an interposer having, on a first side, a plurality of electrical connections suitable for coupling to a printed circuit board (PCB). The interposer also includes at least one power plane and at least one ground plane, wherein each of the power and ground planes is coupled to one or more of the electrical connections. The voltage regulator further includes a DC-DC converter that is electro-mechanically attachable to and detachable from the interposer. The interposer includes a socket, on a second side, that is suitable to receive two or more electro-mechanical connecting members of the DC-DC converter. When the DC-DC converter is attached to the interposer, at least one of the electromechanical connecting members is electrically coupled to a power plane of the interposer, while at least one other one of the electromechanical connecting members is electrically coupled to the ground plane.

Abstract: A fan control module is provided for a system unit. The fan control module includes power outputs for supplying power to a plurality of fan. It also includes a temperature sensor for giving a temperature signal. It further includes a control unit connected to receive the temperature signal and including preprogrammed control information for determining power signals to be supplied to each of the fan units for controlling the speed thereof. The fan control module can control the fan units in a coordinated manner enabling reliable and effective cooling of the system unit under widely varying parameters. It can mean that existing system components can be employed in harsher temperature environments that they were originally designed for, without needed a complete redesign thereof. The fan control module can be provided with electrical noise isolation circuitry to isolate other components from electrical noise generated by the fan units.

Abstract: A power distribution circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the power distribution circuit includes a plurality of transistors and a control unit IC. First terminals of each of the transistors may be coupled to separate voltage sources. Second terminals of each of the transistors may be coupled to a common power node. An electronic system may receive power from one of the voltage sources when one of the transistors is on. The control unit IC may activate one or more of the transistors by driving a voltage to the control terminal of the transistor to be activated. The control unit IC may also monitor a voltage difference between the first terminal and the second terminal of each of the transistors. If the voltage of the second terminal becomes greater than the voltage of the first terminal for a given transistor, the control terminal may deactivate the transistor.

Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis with a single motherboard supporting at least one processor module. A power sub-system receives three power supply units and distributes power within the computer system. Each of the three power supplies has a power rating such that two of the three power supplies are sufficient to power the computer system. The combination of such a single-motherboard-based design with a redundant three-power supply sub-system provides reliability of operation in a cost-effective manner. The power sub-system includes a power distribution board with power distribution logic operable to distribute power from the power supply units for powering the processor module. The power distribution logic is operable to interrupt power for powering the processor module when two of the power supply units fail or are not present. An alarm sub-system is provided for reporting power supply faults.

Abstract: A computer system includes processing circuitry and alarm circuitry connectable to a network. A power sub-system includes at least three power supply units, wherein at least a predetermined plurality of power supply units are required to power the computer system. A power distribution mechanism is connectable to the power supply units. The power distribution mechanism is connected to the processing circuitry to supply main power thereto and is connected to the alarm circuitry to supply standby power thereto. The power distribution mechanism is operable to supply main power to the processing circuitry when at least a said predetermined plurality of connected power supplies are operative and is operable to supply standby power to the alarm circuitry when at least one power supply is operative.

Abstract: A power distribution sub-system distributed power from n+m (e.g. 3) power supply units within a system unit, where n and m are integers and n power supply units (e.g. 2) are required to power the system. The power supply units are connectable to a common power rail. A current sensor detects a current greater than n*Imax, where Imax is the maximum power output of a power supply unit. The current sensor outputs an overcurrent signal when the sensed current exceeds n*Imax. In response to this overcurrent signal, a controllable shunt operates to shunt the power rail to ground, thereby discharging any stored charge. A power distribution board, which forms part of a power sub-frame assembly, carries the power distribution sub-system. The system unit can be a rack-mountable computer system unit for a telecommunications.

Abstract: A fan control module is provided for a system unit. The fan control module includes power outputs for supplying power to a plurality of fan. It also includes a temperature sensor for giving a temperature signal. It further includes a control unit connected to receive the temperature signal and including preprogrammed control information for determining power signals to be supplied to each of the fan units for controlling the speed thereof. The fan control module can control the fan units in a coordinated manner enabling reliable and effective cooling of the system unit under widely varying parameters. It can mean that existing system components can be employed in harsher temperature environments that they were originally designed for, without needed a complete redesign thereof. The fan control module can be provided with electrical noise isolation circuitry to isolate other components from electrical noise generated by the fan units.

Abstract: A fan control module is provided for a system unit. The fan control module includes power outputs for supplying power to a plurality of fan. It also includes a temperature sensor for giving a temperature signal. It further includes a control unit connected to receive the temperature signal and including preprogrammed control information for determining power signals to be supplied to each of the fan units for controlling the speed thereof. The fan control module can control the fan units in a coordinated manner enabling reliable and effective cooling of the system unit under widely varying parameters. It can mean that existing system components can be employed in harsher temperature environments that they were originally designed for, without needed a complete redesign thereof. The fan control module can be provided with electrical noise isolation circuitry to isolate other components from electrical noise generated by the fan units.