Centralized backup power module
Approaches, techniques, and mechanisms are disclosed for a centralized backup power support system that improves testability of non-volatile dual in-line memory modules (NVDIMM) on Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) testers and in-system tests. An NVDIMM includes both volatile memories and non-volatile memories. According to an embodiment, a compact backup power distribution board is powered with an external power supply with an individual protection circuit. The backup power distribution board has an unlimited energy capacity for any density of NVDIMM and zero charge waiting time. According to an embodiment, instead of using an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) to support backup power, a resistor is used instead of an EDLC on each backup power module. There is no charging time when the backup power module does not have EDLC cells, resulting in significant reduction in test time and production cost and increase in production output.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a distribution board;
a power supply connector on the distribution board that connects to an external power supply;
a backup power connector on the distribution board for connecting to a memory module inserted into a memory socket; and
a backup power module attached to the distribution board, the backup power module having a circuit with a resistor instead of a capacitor, the circuit configured to generate a backup voltage to supply power through the backup power connector to the memory module, the backup voltage based on an input voltage supplied from the external power supply through the power supply connector, the backup power module including a fuse directly connected to the resistor for generation of a fuse voltage based on the input voltage, and the fuse voltage is available at the backup power connector for the memory module to use as the backup voltage.
2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the distribution board includes a trace connected to the backup power module and the backup power connector for communication between the backup power module and the memory module using a serial protocol.
3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the backup power connector is a vertical connector.
4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , further comprising backup power sockets on the distribution board, one of the backup power sockets at an offset vertically away from another of the backup power sockets.
5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
backup power sockets on the distribution board; and
wherein the backup power module is inserted into one of the backup power sockets.
6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5 , wherein the backup power module includes a supercapacitor charger that receives the input voltage and generates a charger voltage, the supercapacitor charger is directly connected to the one of the backup power sockets, the charger voltage is less than the input voltage, and the backup voltage is generated based on the charger voltage.
7. An apparatus comprising:
a system board;
a distribution board attached to the system board;
a power supply connector on the distribution board;
a backup power connector on the distribution board that connects to a memory module inserted into a memory socket on the system board;
a backup power module attached to the distribution board, the backup power module having a circuit with a resistor instead of capacitor, the circuit configured to generate a backup voltage for supplying power through the backup power connector to the memory module, the backup power module including a fuse directly connected to the resistor for generation of a fuse voltage based on the input voltage, and the fuse voltage is available at the backup power connector for the memory module to use as the backup voltage;
a power cable connected to an external power supply and the power supply connector; and
a backup cable connected to the backup power connector and the module connector.
8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 , wherein:
the distribution board includes a backup power socket at an interior portion of the distribution board; and
the backup power module is inserted into the backup power socket.
9. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 , wherein the distribution board is perpendicular to the system board.
10. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 , wherein the backup power module is parallel to the system board.
11. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 , wherein the distribution board includes backup power sockets mounted at an interior portion of the distribution board.
12. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 , wherein the distribution board includes backup power sockets arranged in multiple rows, and in each of the rows, one of the backup power sockets is adjacent to and vertically at an offset from another of the backup power sockets.
13. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 , wherein the backup power module includes the circuit with a second resistor in series with the resistor for generation of the backup voltage.
14. A method of manufacture of a backup power support system, comprising:
mounting a power supply connector on a distribution board for connecting to an external power supply;
mounting a backup power connector on the distribution board for connecting to a memory module inserted into a memory socket; and
attaching a backup power module to the distribution board, the backup power module having a circuit with a resistor instead of a capacitor, the circuit generates a backup voltage for supplying power through the backup power connector to the memory module, the backup voltage based on an input voltage supplied from the external power supply through the power supply connector, the backup power module including a fuse directly connected to the resistor for generation of a fuse voltage based on the input voltage, and the fuse voltage is available at the backup power connector for the memory module to use as the backup voltage.
15. The method as recited in claim 14 , wherein the distribution board includes a trace connected to the backup power module and the backup power connector for communication between the backup power module and the memory module using a serial protocol.
16. The method as recited in claim 14 , wherein the backup power connector is a vertical connector.
17. The method as recited in claim 14 , further comprising mounting backup power sockets on the distribution board, one of the backup power sockets at an offset vertically away from another of the backup power sockets.
18. The method as recited in claim 14 , further comprising:
mounting backup power sockets on the distribution board; and
wherein attaching the backup power module includes inserting the backup power module into one of the backup power sockets.