Startup performance and power isolation
View Patent ↗The various implementations described herein include systems, methods and/or devices used to protect data in a storage device. In one aspect, a method includes (1) powering a power control processor (PCP) (also sometimes called a storage-level microcontroller) using a first input voltage, (2) while the PCP is powered using the first input voltage: (a) operating the PCP in a first mode, and (b) enabling charging of an energy storage device, (3) after achieving a predefined internal state, which includes the energy storage device charged to a predefined level, powering the PCP using a power supply voltage distinct from the first input voltage, and (4) while the PCP is powered using the power supply voltage, operating the PCP in a second mode, where the PCP operates at a higher performance level in the second mode than in the first mode.
1. A method of power management in a storage device, the method comprising:
powering a power control processor (PCP) using a first input voltage;
while the PCP is powered using the first input voltage:
operating the PCP in a first mode; and
enabling charging of an energy storage device;
after achieving a predefined internal state, which includes the energy storage device charged to a predefined level, powering the PCP using a power supply voltage distinct from the first input voltage; and
while the PCP is powered using the power supply voltage, operating the PCP in a second mode, wherein the PCP operates at a higher performance level in the second mode than in the first mode.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein operating at a higher performance level includes operating at a higher frequency.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first input voltage corresponds to a low power communication bus.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein, while operating in the first mode, the PCP detects presence of components of the storage device.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein achieving the predefined internal state further includes completing a predefined start-up routine.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein, while operating in the second mode, the PCP initiates operation of a plurality of power regulators on the storage device.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein, while operating in the first mode, the PCP enables power to a plurality of power regulators on the storage device.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of power regulators supply power to a plurality of controllers on the storage device.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein, while operating in the second mode, the PCP enables power to a plurality of controllers on the storage device.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein, while operating in the second mode, the PCP initiates normal operation of the storage device.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein, while being powered using the first input voltage, the PCP is incapable of sustained operation at said higher performance level.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device comprises one or more capacitors.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the power supply voltage is generated from a second input voltage.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second input voltage corresponds to a normal power bus.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second input voltage is insufficient to power the PCP directly.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device is charged using a second input voltage.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising, prior to charging the energy storage device, monitoring the second input voltage to determine whether the second input voltage stays within predetermined boundaries.
18. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, while the PCP is powered using the first input voltage:
detecting a unique location associated with the storage device;
determining a time delay for the storage device in accordance with the unique location; and
delaying at least one operation of the PCP by the determined time delay.
19. A storage device, comprising:
an interface for coupling the storage device to a host system;
an energy storage device; and
a power control processor (PCP), the storage device configured to:
power the PCP using a first input voltage;
while the PCP is powered using the first input voltage:
operate the PCP in a first mode; and
charge an energy storage device;
after achieving a predefined internal state, which includes the energy storage device charged to a predefined level, power the PCP using a power supply voltage distinct from the first input voltage; and
while the PCP is powered using the power supply voltage, operate the PCP in a second mode, wherein the PCP operates at a higher frequency in the second mode than in the first mode.
20. The storage device of claim 19 , wherein operating at a higher performance level includes operating at a higher frequency.
21. The storage device of claim 19 , wherein the power supply voltage is generated from a second input voltage.
22. The storage device of claim 21 , wherein the second input voltage corresponds to a normal power bus.
23. The storage device of claim 21 , wherein the second input voltage is insufficient to power the PCP directly.
24. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing one or more programs for execution by one or more processors of a storage device having a plurality of controllers and a power control processor (PCP), the one or more programs including instructions for:
powering a power control processor (PCP) using a first input voltage;
while the PCP is powered using the first input voltage:
operating the PCP in a first mode; and
enabling charging of an energy storage device;
after achieving a predefined internal state, which includes the energy storage device charged to a predefined level, powering the PCP using a power supply voltage distinct from the first input voltage; and
while the PCP is powered using the power supply voltage, operating the PCP in a second mode, wherein the PCP operates at a higher performance level in the second mode than in the first mode.
25. The storage medium of claim 24 , wherein operating at a higher performance level includes operating at a higher frequency.
26. The storage medium of claim 24 , wherein the power supply voltage is generated from a second input voltage.
27. The storage medium of claim 26 , wherein the second input voltage corresponds to a normal power bus.
28. The storage medium of claim 26 , wherein the second input voltage is insufficient to power the PCP directly.