Power supply apparatus, backup power module and method for providing backup power in computing systems
An apparatus comprises a memory slot mounted to a main board, an expansion slot mounted to the main board and electrically coupled to the memory slot, a backup power module receivable in the expansion slot, and a main power source electrically coupled to the expansion slot and the memory slot. During normal operation, the main power source supplies electrical power to the memory slot and charge the backup power module. In the event of power loss or main power source failure, the backup power module discharges electrical power to the memory slot.
1. A power supply apparatus comprising:
a first device slot mounted to a main board, the first device slot configured for receiving a memory device;
a second device slot mounted to the main board and electrically coupled to the first device slot;
a backup power module receivable in the second device slot, the backup power module configured to provide electrical power to the first device slot; and
a main power source electrically coupled to the first device slot and the second device slot, the main power source configured to supply power to the first device slot and charge the backup power module received in the second device slot.
2. The power supply apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a power switch coupled to the main power source, the first device slot and the second device slot, wherein the power switch is configured to cause the main power source to supply electrical power to the first device slot, charge the backup power module received in the second device slot, and cause the backup power module to discharge electrical power to the first device slot upon the main power source failing to supply electrical power.
3. The power supply apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a signal circuit coupled between the main power source and the second device slot, wherein the main power source is configured to send a power loss message via the signal circuit to the second device slot upon failure of the main power source to discharge electrical power from the backup power module to the first device slot.
4. The power supply apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a baseboard management controller coupled to the main power source and the second device slot, wherein the baseboard management controller is configured to determine a working status of the backup power module.
5. The power supply apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a printed circuit formed to the main board and coupled to the first device slot and the second device slot, wherein the backup power module provides electrical power to the first device slot through the printed circuit.
6. The power supply apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the printed circuit is formed to the main board at a power plane to which the first device slot is electrically coupled.
7. The power supply apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the printed circuit further comprises a signal circuit coupled to the main power source and the second device slot, wherein the main power source is configured to send a power loss message via the signal circuit to the second device slot upon failure of the main power source to discharge electrical power from the backup power module to the first device slot.
8. The power supply apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second device slot is a peripheral component interconnect slot.
9. The power supply apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the backup power module includes peripheral component interconnect card and a plurality of supercapacitors mounted to the peripheral component interconnect card, wherein the supercapacitors are configured to be charged by the main power source and to discharge electrical power from the backup power module to the first device slot.
10. A backup power module comprising:
a circuit board having a terminal; and
at least one power storage device coupled to the circuit board;
wherein the circuit board is connectable to a device slot of a main board of a host system via the terminal of the circuit board; and
wherein the at least one power storage device is operative to supply electrical power to a load of the host system coupled to the device slot upon a power loss to the host system.
11. The backup power module of claim 10 , wherein the power storage device is configured to be electrically connectable to a main power source coupled to the backup power module to be charged by the main power source.
12. The backup power module of claim 11 , further comprising a signal receiver coupled to the power storage device to activate the power storage device to supply power to the load upon receipt of a power loss message from the main power source.
13. The backup power module of claim 11 , configured to be electrically connectable to the main power source and the load through a switch, wherein the backup power module is configured to electrically connect with the main power source to charge the power storage device when the main power source continue supplies electrical power, and to activate the backup power module to supply power to the load upon the main power source power failure occurs.
14. The backup power module of claim 11 , wherein the backup power module is configured to receive a power loss message from the main power source via a signal circuit.
15. The backup power module of claim 11 , configured to be connectable to a baseboard management controller coupled to the main power source and the device slot to provide a working status of the backup power module received in the device slot.
16. The backup power module of claim 11 , wherein the load includes an non-volatile dual in-circuit memory module card inserted into the memory slot, wherein the backup power module is to provide electrical power to the non-volatile dual in-circuit memory module card through a power circuit connected between the device slot and the memory slot.
17. The backup power module of claim 10 , wherein the device slot is a peripheral component interconnect expansion slot mounted to the main board, wherein the backup power module is configured to be received in the peripheral component interconnect expansion slot and electrically connected to a memory card slot mounted to the main board.
18. A method for providing backup power to a host system comprising:
detecting a power loss status of the host system;
activating a backup power module, the backup power module being received in a device slot of the host system, in order to supply electrical power to a load of the host system,
wherein the backup power module comprises a circuit board having a terminal; and at least one power storage device coupled to the circuit board; wherein the circuit board is connectable to the device slot of the host system via the terminal of the circuit board; and wherein the at least one power storage device is operative to supply electrical power to the load of the host system coupled to the device slot upon a power loss to the host system.
19. The power supply method of claim 18 , wherein detecting the power loss status comprises differentiating the power loss status from a normal shut down status of the host system.
20. The power supply method of claim 18 , wherein activating the backup power module comprises receiving a power loss message from a main power source coupled to the load and the backup power module.