Systems and methods for determining the state of health of a capacitor module
View Patent ↗Systems and methods for determining the state of health for a capacitor module are provided. In some embodiments, a method for monitoring the health of a capacitor module comprising an array of capacitors is provided. The method may include steps for disabling a charger coupled to an array of capacitors of the capacitor module, determining if the capacitor module is healthy based at least on operating values of the capacitor module, and enabling a write back mode for the memory module if the capacitor module is determined to be healthy.
1. An information handling system, comprising:
a processor;
a memory module coupled to the processor;
a capacitor module associated with the memory module, the capacitor module comprising an array of capacitors coupled to a charger; and
a controller coupled to the capacitor module, the controller configured to:
disable the charger coupled to the array of capacitors;
after disabling the charger:
enable a write through mode for the memory module;
determine if the capacitor module is healthy based at least on monitored operating values of the capacitor module; and
maintain the write through mode for the memory module if the capacitor module is determined to not be healthy.
2. An information handling system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to enable a write back mode for the memory module if the capacitor module is determined to be healthy.
3. An information handling system according to claim 1 , wherein the array of capacitors comprises an array of super capacitors.
4. An information handling system according to claim 1 , wherein the monitored operating values comprise at least one of a voltage value, a current value, a time duration, and a capacitance value for each capacitor of the capacitor module.
5. An information handling system according to claim 1 , wherein the capacitor module is configured to power the memory module during a power failure.
6. An information handling system according to claim 1 , wherein if the capacitor module is not healthy, the controller is further configured to provide an alert to a user indicating the power fault.
7. An apparatus, comprising:
a controller for determining the health of a capacitor module associated with a memory module, the controller configured to:
disable a charger coupled to an array of capacitors of the capacitor module;
after disabling the charger:
enable a write through mode for the memory module;
determine if the capacitor module is healthy based at least on monitored operating values of the capacitor module; and
maintain the write through mode for the memory module if the capacitor module is determined to not be healthy.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to enable a write back mode for the memory module if the capacitor module is determined to be healthy.
9. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the array of capacitors comprises an array of super capacitors.
10. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the monitored operating values comprise at least one of a voltage value, a current value, a time duration, and a capacitance value for each capacitor of the capacitor module.
11. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the capacitor module is configured to power the memory module during a power failure.
12. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein if the capacitor module is not healthy, the controller is further configured to provide an alert to a user indicating the power fault.
13. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine if a capacitor of the capacitor array is overcharged or undercharged.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the controller is further configured to sink current from an overcharged capacitor or charge an undercharged capacitor to achieve a load balance across the capacitor array.
15. A method for monitoring the health of a capacitor module comprising an array of capacitors, the method comprising:
disabling a charger coupled to an array of capacitors of the capacitor module;
after disabling the charger:
enabling a write through mode for the memory module;
determining if the capacitor module is healthy based at least on monitored operating values of the capacitor module; and
maintaining the write through mode for the memory module if the capacitor module is determined to not be healthy.
16. A method according to claim 15 , further comprising enabling a write back mode for the memory module if the capacitor module is determined to be healthy.
17. A method according to claim 15 , wherein the array of capacitors comprises an array of super capacitors.
18. A method according to claim 15 , wherein the monitored operating values comprises at least one of a voltage value, a current value, a time duration, and a capacitance value for each capacitor of the capacitor module.
19. A method according to claim 15 , wherein the capacitor module is configured to power the memory module during a power failure.
20. A method according to claim 15 , wherein if the capacitor module is not healthy, the method further comprises providing an alert to a user indicating the power fault.