cooling |
Digital power has brought |
hence offer more , faster , and better |
represents the current state-of-the- |
|
economies of scale for power supply |
services for end users . |
art , and software defined power |
|
vendors , who can create platform |
Digital power has been |
is ready to unlock even more of |
|
power supplies that can be configured |
enthusiastically adopted across |
the advantages of flexible , digital |
|
for multiple applications or to suit |
telecom markets and networking and |
configurability . |
|
individual end user requirements or a |
data centre equipment . The flexibility |
Software defined power is at the |
|
variety of operating conditions . In a |
of digital power allows the modules to |
beginning of its development curve , |
|
data centre application , for example , |
be configured for optimum efficiency |
and rapid improvements in application |
|
a digital power supply can be |
under a variety of operating conditions . |
code are likely . Server OEMs can be |
|
programmed with one set of values to |
Power supply design is in the |
expected to issue frequent power |
|
maximise efficiency at or close to full |
process of an even more exciting |
application software updates early in |
|
load , with the flexibility to change to |
transition , building on the advantages |
the lifecycle of deployed products , |
|
low load settings in order to maintain |
of digital power and introducing real |
which could be applied remotely |
|
high efficiency . This contrasts with |
time adaptability managed by an |
and therefore transparently as far as |
|
the efficiency of an analog supply , |
application running in software on |
users are concerned : the only visible |
|
which would be significantly reduced |
the central controller . This evolution , |
effect being lower demand on the |
|
at lower load . |
known as software defined power |
cooling systems and a corresponding |
|
The digital power modules |
architecture ( SDPA ), brings even |
reduction in the utility bill . |
|
are usually adjusted by a central controller , which communicates |
greater flexibility and opportunity to fine
tune the power supply automatically
|
Summary |
|
with module registers over a |
in response to changes in load or |
Data centre operators who are |
|
Power Management Bus ( PMBus ) |
to accommodate slower variations |
concerned about reducing their utility |
|
connection as illustrated in Figure 2 . |
such as the effects of component |
costs can take a number of actions , |
|
PMBus is an industry standard |
aging . Software defined power , |
including finding cheaper sources of |
|
developed from the System- |
and particularly the design of SDPA |
energy where possible , combined |
|
Management Bus ( SMBus ) |
applications , is at the beginning of |
with various techniques to reduce the |
|
specification , and defines a physical |
a development curve that will drive |
burden on cooling systems . These |
|
connection and protocol for |
significant increases in performance |
include raising the restrictions on |
|
exchanging data between power |
and efficiency while also sharpening |
acceptable operating temperatures , |
|
modules . In addition , digital power |
responses and enabling greater power |
where this is possible without impairing |
|
Figure 2 . Digital power modules controlled by instructions delivered across PMBus connection . |
supplies can be stabilised using fewer on board capacitors , which enables smaller power modules thereby liberating extra board real estate to host greater processing power and |
density resulting in a further reduction
in module dimensions and demand for
board real estate .
Implications for data centre operators
|
reliability , and in some cases locating facilities in geographical locations where lower ambient temperatures effectively provide free cooling . More recently , configurable digital power modules have emerged bringing the |
As far as data centre owners and |
potential for greater efficiency and |
||
operators are concerned , the power |
reduced energy cooling costs . |
||
supply strategies and on board |
As digital power leads naturally |
||
componentry is largely unseen . |
to software defined power , higher |
||
However , gaining some insight into |
efficiency can be maintained across |
||
the subsystems distributing power to |
a wider set of operating conditions . |
||
the hardworking computer servers |
New server equipment featuring |
||
can help understand how design |
software defined power can help to |
||
improvements here can contribute |
reduce utility bills immediately , and is |
||
to better overall efficiency and |
likely to deliver further savings in the |
||
also enable increased compute |
future as the technology continues to |
||
performance . Digital power |
mature . |