Monolithic plug-in power supply

Abstract

A computer system is described. This computer system includes a main power connector and one or more circuit boards rigidly connected to the main power connector, including mechanical and electrical connection. The main power connector has a body that includes a plurality of contacts. The main power connector is configured to mate with a corresponding connector, other than an expansion slot, on a motherboard in the computer system. The motherboard is coupled to one or more processors. A first plane including a first circuit board in the one or more circuit boards is substantially parallel to a symmetry plane of the body. The symmetry plane includes a direction of insertion of the main power connector when mated with the corresponding connector. The one or more circuit boards include one or more switched mode power supplies to convert an input signal to one or more output signals.

1 . A computer system, comprising:
 one or more processors;   a motherboard, coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the motherboard includes a first main power connector which is other than an expansion card slot; and   a power supply to provide power to the motherboard, including:
 a second main power connector having a body that includes a plurality of contacts, wherein the second main power connector is mated to the first main power connector; and 
 one or more circuit boards rigidly connected to the second main power connector, wherein a first plane including a first circuit board in the one or more circuit boards is substantially parallel to a symmetry plane of the body, rigidly connected includes mechanical connection and electrical connection, the symmetry plane including a direction of insertion of the second main power connector when mated with the first main power connector, 
 wherein the one or more circuit boards include one or more switched mode power supplies to convert an input signal to one or more output signals, the one or more output signals providing power to the motherboard, and 
 wherein at least one of the one or more switched mode power supplies includes a DC-to-DC converter, and 
 wherein the one or more output signals include voltages in at least a subset of a predetermined set of voltages. 
   
   
   
       2 . The computer system of  claim 1 , further comprising an interconnect coupled to at least one of the one or more circuit boards, wherein the interconnect includes a plurality or wires coupled to one or more additional connectors, and wherein the interconnect is configured to couple the power supply to one or more peripheral devices. 
   
   
       3 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the main power connector is an ATX connector. 
   
   
       4 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more switched mode power supplies includes a DC-to-DC converter. 
   
   
       5 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more circuit boards include the first circuit board and a second circuit board. 
   
   
       6 . The computer system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of contacts include a first set of contacts arranged in a first row and a second set of contacts arranged in a second row, the first row is substantially parallel to the second row, and wherein the first circuit board is rigidly connected to the first set of contacts and the second circuit board is rigidly connected to the second set of contacts. 
   
   
       7 . The computer system of  claim 5 , wherein a second plane including the second circuit board is substantially parallel to the first plane. 
   
   
       8 . The computer system of  claim 5 , wherein the power supply generates at least 3 dB less electromagnetic interference in a band of frequencies than a power supply for use in the computer system that has one circuit board. 
   
   
       9 . The computer system of  claim 8 , wherein the band of frequencies is approximately between 0 and 30 MHz. 
   
   
       10 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more output signals are each substantially regulated voltages. 
   
   
       11 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the input signal has a voltage approximately between 5 and 48 V. 
   
   
       13 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more output signals include 3.3V, 5V, 5 VSB, 12V, −12V and −5 V. 
   
   
       14 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply has a height less than a pre-determined value. 
   
   
       15 . The computer system of  claim 14 , wherein the pre-determined value is approximately between 10 and 120 mm. 
   
   
       16 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein a number of contacts in the plurality of contacts is either 12, 20 or 24. 
   
   
       17 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply has a width less than a pre-determined value. 
   
   
       18 . The computer system of  claim 17 , wherein the width is less than 120 mm. 
   
   
       19 . A computer system, comprising:
 means for computing;   a motherboard, coupled to the means, wherein the motherboard includes a first main power connector which is other than an expansion card slot; and   a power supply to provide power to the motherboard, including:
 a second main power connector having a body that includes a plurality of contacts, wherein the second main power connector is mated to the first main power connector; and 
 one or more circuit boards rigidly connected to the second main power connector, wherein a first plane including a first circuit board in the one or more circuit boards is substantially parallel to a symmetry plane of the body, rigidly connected includes mechanical connection and electrical connection, the symmetry plane including a direction of insertion of the second main power connector when mated with the first main power connector, 
 wherein the one or more circuit boards include one or more switched mode power supplies to convert an input signal to one or more output signals, the one or more output signals providing power to the motherboard, and 
 wherein at least one of the one or more switched mode power supplies includes a DC-to-DC converter, and 
 wherein the one or more output signals include voltages in at least a subset of a pre-determined set of voltages.