Abstract: Combinations of clock frequencies, voltages, and currents at which a processor operates normally are determined. These combinations are stored to a component on which the processor is installed. Voltage identifiers are stored to a computer system in which the component is installed. The voltage identifiers are associated with combinations of the voltages and currents. A type of the computer system is also stored to the component. A first clock frequency at which the processor operates is determined that is assigned to the type of the computer system. A first voltage and a first current are selected that are assigned to the first clock frequency. A first voltage identifier is found that is assigned to the combination of the first voltage and first current, and the first voltage identifier is sent to a voltage regulator, which supplies voltage to the processor.

Abstract: A method of preventing an energy storage device failure in a power supply, includes a package deformation, indicating a gas buildup and a forthcoming failure in a package wall of the energy storage device is detected. A voltage caused by the displacement of the package wall of the energy storage device is detected. It is determined whether the detected voltage is greater than or equal to a voltage threshold to indicate a slight package deformation. A warning is issued if the detected voltage is greater than or equal to the voltage threshold for the slight package deformation. It is determined whether the detected voltage is greater than or equal to a voltage threshold, to indicate a package deformation severe enough that a package breach is imminent. The power supply is shut down if the detected voltage is determined to be greater than or equal to the package breach voltage threshold.

Abstract: An assembly, system, and method particularly adapted for a magnetic resonator apparatus in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning system. Provided is a restraining assembly supportable by the supporting assembly and including at least a system that is selectively operable for positioning and restraining at least a portion of the body to be imaged, thereby optimizing image quality.

Abstract: Combinations of clock frequencies, voltages, and currents at which a processor operates normally are determined. These combinations are stored to a component on which the processor is installed. Voltage identifiers are stored to a computer system in which the component is installed. The voltage identifiers are associated with combinations of the voltages and currents. A type of the computer system is also stored to the component. A first clock frequency at which the processor operates is determined that is assigned to the type of the computer system. A first voltage and a first current are selected that are assigned to the first clock frequency. A first voltage identifier is found that is assigned to the combination of the first voltage and first current, and the first voltage identifier is sent to a voltage regulator, which supplies voltage to the processor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing power system performance. Power supply system data are processed and a power path in a power supply system having a predefined component failure mode is identified for placement of a fuse. Transient and steady state current levels are determined for each identified power path. A fuse size is selected within an identified fuse size range based upon the determined transient and steady state current levels. A selected fuse energy rating is lower than an energy rating of the solid-state devices in the identified power path.

Abstract: A plurality of regulator phases are connected in parallel between a regulator input and a regulator output, each phase including a regulator receiving an input voltage and providing an output voltage. A multi-phase controller is coupled to each of the plurality of regulator phases, where one or more phases are provided for enabling redundancy. The multi-phase controller receives a feedback output voltage and a respective detected current signal from each of the plurality of regulator phases. The multi-phase controller generates control signals to sequentially activate each of the plurality of regulator phases for predetermined periods of time to generate controlled current sharing between phases. To achieve redundancy at a phase level, each of the plurality of regulator phases includes an output ORing device to limit reverse current flow into each phase and an input protection device for providing input over current protection and output over voltage protection of each phase.

Abstract: A method and a combination of a hot plug sliding connector and a circuit card are provided for implementing hot plugging protection regulator cards, power supply cards, system cards and the like. A respective isolation circuit is coupled to each voltage input and voltage output of the circuit card to be connected to the hot plug sliding connector. The hot plug sliding connector has an elongated slot for slidingly receiving the circuit card along the length of the elongated slot. A plurality of cooperating electrically connecting portions of the connector and circuit card are provided in mating engagement with the circuit card inserted into a final position in the connector. The plurality of cooperating electrically connecting portions are spaced apart by a respective predefined null, non-electrically connecting portion arranged to avoid shorting between cooperating electrically connecting portions during the sliding insertion of the circuit card into the hot plug sliding connector.

Abstract: A plurality of regulator phases are connected in parallel between a regulator input and a regulator output, each phase including a regulator receiving an input voltage and providing an output voltage. A multi-phase controller is coupled to each of the plurality of regulator phases, where one or more phases are provided for enabling redundancy. The multi-phase controller receives a feedback output voltage and a respective detected current signal from each of the plurality of regulator phases. The multi-phase controller generates control signals to sequentially activate each of the plurality of regulator phases for predetermined periods of time to generate controlled current sharing between phases. To achieve redundancy at a phase level, each of the plurality of regulator phases includes an output ORing device to limit reverse current flow into each phase and an input protection device for providing input over current protection and output over voltage protection of each phase.

Abstract: A right angle board-to-board connector is provided with generally balanced impedance. The right angle board-to-board connector includes a plurality of connector pins. Each of the connector pins has a generally right angle configuration. The connector pins are spaced apart by a substantially uniform spacing along respective connector mating pin faces. Selected connector pins have substantially equal length. For example, each of the connector pins has substantially equal length or selected pairs of the connector pins has substantially equal length. The connector pins of a preferred embodiment are laterally offset to provide a predefined separation between the connector pins at pin crossover locations.

Abstract: A powerplane for use in a backplane power distribution system. The backplane includes a conductive sheet for distributing power from a power source to a load. The powerplane further includes source locations and load locations for coupling the conductive sheet to a power source and a load. The conductive sheet has resistances with appropriate spacing and dimensions so that the resistance near the source locations is greater than the resistance farther away from the source locations. Thus, current is shared more evenly between all the load locations, and the voltage difference between distant load locations and near load locations is reduced to near zero.

Abstract: A right angle board-to-board connector is provided with generally balanced impedance. The right angle board-to-board connector includes a plurality of connector pins. Each of the connector pins has a generally right angle configuration. The connector pins are spaced apart by a substantially uniform spacing along respective connector mating pin faces. Selected connector pins have substantially equal length. For example, each of the connector pins has substantially equal length or selected pairs of the connector pins has substantially equal length. The connector pins of a preferred embodiment are laterally offset to provide a predefined separation between the connector pins at pin crossover locations.

Abstract: A sequencing circuit and sequencing method are provided for applying a highest voltage of first and second system supplies to a chip. The sequencing circuit includes a first transistor coupled between the first system power supply and a power supply input to the chip and a second transistor coupled between the second system power supply and a power supply input to the chip. The sequencing circuit includes a comparator for sensing a highest voltage of the first and second system power supplies. The first transistor and second transistor are coupled to an output of the comparator. When the comparator senses that the first power supply voltage is higher than the second power supply voltage, the first transistor is turned on and couples the first power supply voltage to the power supply input to the chip.

Abstract: A sequencing circuit and sequencing method are provided for applying a highest voltage of first and second system supplies to a chip. The sequencing circuit includes a first transistor coupled between the first system power supply and a power supply input to the chip and a second transistor coupled between the second system power supply and a power supply input to the chip. The sequencing circuit includes a comparator for sensing a highest voltage of the first and second system power supplies. The first transistor and second transistor are coupled to an output of the comparator. When the comparator senses that the first power supply voltage is higher than the second power supply voltage, the first transistor is turned on and couples the first power supply voltage to the power supply input to the chip.

Abstract: Hot-plugging and power management capabilities are simultaneously provided for a connector. Circuitry is provided to control a power management terminal so that it is powered up gradually and only after a device has been connected to the connector. The power management terminal is powered down when the device is disconnected from the connector under control of the circuitry. The power management voltage domain is isolated from the voltage domain of the system having the connector by further circuitry which also provides connection status lines.

Abstract: A multiple supply voltage peripheral component interconnect (PCI) connector is disclosed which replaces connectors that are keyed for a specific signaling voltage. A single connector receives all current types of PCI keyed card edge connectors and supplies the correct signaling voltage thereto. The type of PCI card is identified and the appropriate signaling voltage is switched to the signaling power input (Vio) using industry standard conditions at selected pin locations rather than using unique keying of cards and connectors to assure a match between the signaling voltage required by the card and the signaling voltage supplied at the connector. As shown, detection and control circuitry senses the presence of grounded or open conditions at selected pin locations indicative of the type card present in the connector and switches the signaling power supply to the correct voltage source.

Abstract: An enhanced peripheral component interconnect (PCI) architecture for a data-processing system is described. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) architecture for a data-processing system comprises a PCI host bus, a number of PCI local buses, and a PCI hot-plug bridge. Each of the local PCI buses has an adapter card slot. The PCI hot-plug bridge, connected between the PCI host bus and the PCI local buses, is utilized for controlling power to each of the PCI local buses, such that a PCI adapter card may be removed from or added to any one of the adapter card slots during power up while there is processing ongoing within adapter card(s) situated in other adapter card slot(s).

Abstract: A powerplane for use in a backplane power distribution system. The backplane includes a conductive sheet for distributing power from a power source to a load. The powerplane further includes source locations and load locations for coupling the conductive sheet to a power source and a load. The conductive sheet is provided with impedance variations for balancing the resistance of the conductive sheet between the source locations and load locations. The impedance variations are spaced apart voids with the separation between the voids decreasing towards the source locations, thereby promoting even distribution of current to all the load locations.