Remote power sensing for hard disk bridge controller
A remote power sensing system for a hard disk bridge coupled to a drive bay uses a power sensor connecting a bridge to an energization control in the drive bay. The power sensor can be a cable or the like to provide a power detection signal to the bridge. The drive bay energization control selectively provides power to the drive bay (for example, by a key switch or the like). Energization of the drive bay may also energize a drive bay device such as a fan that also functions as an energization proxy. The power sensor connects the bridge to the energization proxy so that energization of the drive bay can be detected via the energization proxy and power sensor. When the sensor detects power provided to the drive bay, the bridging function of the bridge is enabled.
1. A remote power sensing system comprising:
a hard disk drive bay comprising an energization control configured to selectively provide power to the drive bay;
a hard disk bridge; and
a power sensor coupling the energization control to the bridge, the power sensor comprising;
a bridge rectifier coupled to the energization control; and
a voltage divider coupled to the bridge rectifier and the bridge;
wherein the bridging function of the bridge in connection with the drive bay is enabled when the power sensor detects energization of the drive bay.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the bridge comprises:
a field programmable gate array coupled to the power sensor; and
at least one bridge chip coupled to the field programmable gate array.
3. A remote power sensing system comprising:
a hard disk drive bay comprising an energization control configured to selectively provide power to the drive bay;
a hard disk bridge; and
a power sensor coupling the energization control to the bridge;
wherein the bridging function of the bridge in connection with the drive bay is enabled when the power sensor detects energization of the drive bay;
further wherein the bridge comprises:
a field programmable gate array coupled to the power sensor; and
at least one bridge chip coupled to the field programmable gate array.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the drive bay further comprises an energization proxy coupled to the energization control, wherein the energization proxy is activated when the energization control provides power to the drive bay;
further wherein the power sensor is coupled to the energization proxy to detect when the energization control provides power to the drive bay.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the energization proxy is a drive bay fan unit.
6. The system of claim 3 wherein the hard disk drive bay comprises one of the following:
an IDE hard disk; or
a SATA hard disk.
7. The system of claim 3 wherein the power sensor comprises a cable coupling the bridge to the energization control, wherein the cable has a first segment coupling the energization control to an energization proxy, further wherein the cable has a second segment coupling the energization control to the bridge.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the energization proxy is a drive bay fan unit.
9. A remote power sensing system comprising:
a hard disk drive bay comprising:
a power control unit activatable by a key switch to provide power to the drive bay; and
a fan unit coupled to the power control unit;
a hard disk bridge comprising:
a bridging function comprising a bridge chip set, wherein the bridge chip set comprises at least one bridge chip and further wherein each bridge chip in the bridge chip set is configured to couple a hard disk to a host computer;
a power sensor cable coupled to the drive bay fan unit and to the bridge, wherein the power sensor cable provides a power detection signal to the bridge when power is provided to the drive bay fan unit.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein each bridge chip is configured to communicate with at least one of the following:
an IDE hard disk; or
a SATA hard disk.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the power sensor cable comprises:
a first segment coupling the bridge to a fan unit power source; and
a second segment coupling the fan unit power source to the fan unit.