Re: [RESEND PATCH v3 1/2] power: supply: add input voltage limit property

[Enric Balletbo i Serra]

Hi Pavel,

On 16/4/19 9:19, Pavel Machek wrote:
> Hi!
> 
>> This patch exposes a new property, similar to input current limit, to
>> re-configure the maximum voltage from the external supply at runtime
>> based on system-level knowledge or user input.
> 
> Well, and I suspect it should expose input power limit, not input
> voltage limit.
> 

Oh, ok, I thought we were agree that input voltage had sense after had some
discussion in v3. Seems that no, let me try to give you another example...

> DC-DC convertor efficiency normally does not much depend on input
> voltage....
> 
> 								Pavel
> 

As we said we have a heat "problem" due the internal voltage conversions.

Lets assume you have a linear regulator instead with a Vin range from 5V to 9V
and we want an output of 3.3V/1A

For 9V:
 Input power : P(in) = 9V x 1A = 9W
 Output power: P(out) = 3.3V x 1A = 3.3W
 Regulator power dissipated: P(reg) = P(in) - P(out) = 9W - 3.3W = 5.7W

For 5V:
 Input power : P(in) = 5V x 1A = 5W
 Output power: P(out) = 3.3V x 1A = 3.3W
 Regulator power dissipated: P(reg) = P(in) - P(out) = 5W - 3.3W = 1,7W

In the first case the regulator needs to dissipate more power, hence the
temperature is greater than the second case.

Thanks,
 Enric