WO2020112079A1

WO2020112079A1 - Machine functionality adaptation based on power source impedance

Info

Publication number: WO2020112079A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/062471
Authority: WO
Inventors: Morgan Scott DIVINE; David E. Smith; Duane A. Koehler; David W. Arnett
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2018-11-26
Filing date: 2018-11-26
Publication date: 2020-06-04

Abstract

In some examples, a system compares a first source impedance rating of a first mode of the machine to a source impedance of a power source, where the machine is operable in a plurality of modes associated with different source impedance ratings. The system enables the first mode of the machine in response to determining, based on the comparing, that the source impedance of the power source satisfies the first source impedance rating.

Description

MACHINE FUNCTIONALITY ADAPTATION BASED ON POWER SOURCE

IMPEDANCE

Background

[0001 ] A machine or other power-consuming component can be connected to a power source for delivering power to the machine or another power-consuming component. In some cases, the power source can include a wall outlet coupled to an alternating current (AC) power source, such as from a power utility company, a power generator, and so forth. In some cases, the power source can supply power to multiple power-consuming components, which may be located on the premises of a single individual or enterprise, or on the premises of multiple individuals or enterprises.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] Some implementations of the present disclosure are described with respect to the following figures.

[0003] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an arrangement according to some examples.

[0004] Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of a process for adapting a functionality of a machine according to some examples.

[0005] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a storage medium storing machine-readable instructions according to some examples.

[0006] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a system according to some examples.

[0007] Fig. 5 is a flow diagram of a process for adapting a functionality of a machine according to further examples.

[0008] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

Detailed Description

[0009] In the present disclosure, use of the term“a,”“an”, or“the” is intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Also, the term“includes,”“including,”“comprises,”“comprising,”“have,” or“having” when used in this disclosure specifies the presence of the stated elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of other elements.

[0010] A power source, such as power equipment of a power utility company, a power generator, and so forth, can deliver power for powering various power consuming components. Such power-consuming components can include machines, such as printing systems, computer systems, household appliances, communication systems, storage systems. In other examples, power-consuming components can include light fixtures and so forth. A power source can be used to power a single power-consuming component, or alternatively, to power multiple power-consuming components.

[0011 ] In cases where a power source is provided by a power utility company, the power source can include a transformer on a utility pole or in another location. The power transformer can supply power to multiple buildings and/or homes. In other examples, a power source can be provided by a different entity.

[0012] As shown in the example arrangement of Fig. 1 , a power source 102 includes a voltage generator 104 that is able to produce an output voltage. An example of the voltage generator 104 is an alternating current (AC) voltage generator that generates an output AC voltage, such as an output AC voltage around 110 volts AC (VAC) to 120 VAC, or round 220 VAC to 240 VAC. In other examples other output AC voltages can be produced by the voltage generator 104. In further examples, the voltage generator 104 can produce a direct current (DC) voltage. [0013] The output voltage from the voltage generator 104 is coupled through a source impedance (ZSRC) of the power source 102 to output terminals 106 that can be connected to power-consuming components. Source impedances of different power sources can vary, and can depend on properties of the respective power sources (such as properties of transformers or other power circuitry). When a load is connected to the output terminals 106 of the power source 102, activation of the load will cause current (IPOWER) to flow from the voltage generator 104 through the source impedance (ZSRC), such that a power voltage (VPOWER) is established across the output terminals 106. In the example of Fig. 1 , the load of the power source 102 includes a machine 108 and another power-consuming component 110. In further examples, a different number of power-consuming components can be connected to the output terminals 106 of the power source 102.

[0014] In some cases, the machine 108 shown in Fig. 1 can draw different amounts of electrical current at different times during operation of the machine 108.

A“machine” refers to any equipment, component, and so forth, that can perform respective tasks when powered. For example, the machine 108 can include various electrical components, including heaters, moveable carriages, and so forth. When the heaters are off, the machine draws a first amount of electrical current. Flowever, during cycles of the machine when the heaters are activated, the machine can draw a greater amount of electrical current. In other examples, the machine 108 can include other types of electrical components that can be selectively activated or deactivated at different times.

[0015] The switching between different electrical currents during operation of the machine can cause fluctuations in the power voltage (VPOWER) across the output terminals 106 of the power source 102. The amount of fluctuation of the power voltage (VPOWER) across the output terminals 106 in response to fluctuations in electrical current drawn by the machine depends upon the source impedance (ZSRC) of the power source 102. A higher source impedance (ZSRC) can lead to greater fluctuations in the magnitude of the power voltage (VPOWER) due to fluctuations in the electrical current ( IPOWER) drawn by the load of the power source 102. [0016] The fluctuations in the power voltage (VPOWER) across the output terminals 106 of the power source 102 may be noticeable to humans if a light fixture (an example of the power-consuming component 1 10) is connected to the output terminals 106. Variations in the voltage (VPOWER) can cause fluctuations in the light intensity of the light fixture. The fluctuation in light intensity of a light fixture is referred to as light flicker, which can be bothersome to some people who are sensitive to such light flicker.

[0017] In some regions of the world, such as in the European Union or another region, a standard has been defined that governs the amount of acceptable flicker caused by operations of machines. An example of such a standard is the

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Flicker Standard (IEC 61000-3-11 ). In other examples, other policies relating to flicker can be established by a

government body, by a standards body, by agreement of various entities, as set forth by a single entity, and so forth. In a region subject to a flicker policy, a machine that would violate the applicable flicker policy may not be sold or used in the region.

[0018] In addition, a machine can have multiple modes of operation that can be associated with different frequencies of operation and different amounts of electrical current swings. The amount of flicker generated by a machine is a function of both how often the electrical current changes and by how much (the range) the electrical current changes each time (e.g., an electrical current change from a first current to a second current defines a range of the electrical current fluctuation).

[0019] For example, the machine may have a high performance mode, an intermediate performance mode, and a low performance mode. In the high performance mode, electrical components may be expected to operate at higher speeds and with greater power, which can cause more frequent and larger ranges of fluctuations in electrical current drawn from a power source as the electrical components of the machine are switched between different levels of operation. The intermediate or low performance mode may be associated with less frequent and smaller ranges of fluctuations in current draw. Depending upon the source impedance of a given power source to which the machine is connected, some of the modes of operation of the machine may violate a flicker policy while other modes of operation of the machine may not violate the flicker policy.

[0020] Different power sources can have different source impedances. For example, the source impedance of a power utility company’s power equipment in an industrial region may be lower than the source impedance of power equipment in residential neighborhoods, since the industrial region is expected to include power consuming components that can draw larger amounts of electrical current than power-consuming components in residential neighborhoods.

[0021 ] Due to the variations of source impedances of different power sources, it can be difficult for a manufacturer of a machine to plan which modes of operation are to be enabled in machines sold in respective different markets.

[0022] In accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure, techniques or mechanisms are provided to selectively adapt functionalities of machines based on source impedances of power sources and different source impedance ratings of different modes of operations of the machines.

[0023] Each operation mode is associated with a respective source impedance rating. For example, operation mode 1 is associated with source impedance rating 1 , and operation mode N is associated with source impedance rating N. In some examples, a“source impedance rating” is a maximum source impedance rating of a power source for the respective operation mode. In other examples, a“source impedance rating” for a machine or an operation mode of the machine can be expressed as an average or mean source impedance rating, a minimum source impedance rating, and so forth.

[0024] In examples where a source impedance rating is a maximum source impedance rating, if the source impedance (ZSRC) of the power source 102 exceeds a given source impedance rating i (i = 1 to N), then the machine 108 should not operate in the respective operation mode i (unless certain conditions exist as explained further below). For example, if the source impedance (ZSRC) of the power source 102 exceeds source impedance rating 1 , then the machine 108 should not operate in the respective operation mode 1. However, if the source impedance (ZSRC) of the power source 102 is less than the source impedance rating N, then the machine 108 is allowed to operate in the respective operation mode N.

[0025] In other examples where a source impedance rating is a minimum source impedance rating, if the source impedance (ZSRC) of the power source 102 is less than a given source impedance rating i (i = 1 to N), then the machine 108 should not operate in the respective operation mode i (unless certain conditions exist).

[0026] More generally, if the source impedance (ZSRC) of the power source 102 does not satisfy a given source impedance rating i (i = 1 to N), then the machine 108 should not operate in the respective operation mode i (unless certain conditions exist).

[0027] In the ensuing discussion, reference is made to examples where the source impedance rating is a maximum source impedance rating.

[0028] To operate the machine 108 in operation mode i, if the source impedance (ZSRC) of the power source 102 does not exceed the respective source impedance rating i, then flicker issues that would violate a flicker policy would not occur when the machine 108 is operated in operation mode i. However, if the source impedance (ZSRC) of the power source 102 exceeds the respective source impedance rating i, then flicker problems may occur that may violate the flicker policy when the machine 108 is operated in operation mode i.

[0029] The source impedance ratings for the different operation modes of the machine 108 can be determined based on testing performed by the manufacturer of the machine 108 or by a different entity (a testing technician, a consumer, etc.). Flicker testing can be performed by an entity to determine whether the machine connected to a power source having a given power source impedance would cause flicker that violates a flicker policy. This flicker testing can be used to establish the maximum source impedance rating (or other source impedance rating) for each operation mode of the machine.

[0030] Fig. 1 also shows a machine functionality adaptation controller 112 that can be used to adapt the functionality of the machine 108 by selectively enabling or disabling modes of operation of the machine 108 based on the source impedance ratings of the different modes of operation of the machine 108 and the source impedance of the power source 102.

[0031 ] Although Fig. 1 shows just one machine 108 connected to one power source 102, the machine functionality adaptation controller 112 can be used to adapt the functionality of multiple machines, whether connected to one power source or to multiple power sources.

[0032] As used here, a“controller” can refer to a hardware processing circuit, which can include any or some combination of a microprocessor, a core of a multi core microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable integrated circuit, a programmable gate array, a digital signal processor, or another hardware processing circuit. Alternatively, a“controller” can refer to a combination of a hardware processing circuit and machine-readable instructions (software and/or firmware) executable on the hardware processing circuit.

[0033] In some examples, the machine functionality adaptation controller 112 can be part of the machine 108. In other examples, the machine functionality adaptation controller 112 can be separate from the machine 108. For example, the separate machine functionality adaptation controller 112 can be part of computing equipment of the manufacturer of the machine 108 or of another entity.

[0034] The machine functionality adaptation controller 112 is able to access source impedance information 114 stored in a storage medium 116. The storage medium 116 can be implemented using a memory device (or multiple memory devices) and/or a storage device (or multiple storage devices). The source impedance information 114 can include source impedance ratings 118 of different modes of operation of the machine 108. In addition, the source impedance information 114 can also include information 120 specifying the source impedance of the power source 102. In some examples, the source impedance ratings 118 and/or the information 120 specifying the source impedance of the power source 102 can be received based on user input from a user in response to prompting by the machine functionality adaptation controller 112, or can be pre-configured with the machine functionality adaptation controller 112 (such as by the manufacturer of the machine 108 or another entity), or can be downloaded by the machine functionality adaptation controller 112 from an information source (e.g., a website, a database, etc.).

[0035] Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of a process 200 performed by the machine functionality adaptation controller 112 according to some examples. Although a specific order of tasks of the process 200 are shown in Fig. 2, it is noted that in other examples, a different order of tasks or other tasks can be performed.

[0036] The process 200 receives (at 202) information of the source impedance of a power source (e.g., 102 in Fig. 1 ). This can be can be input by a user, or alternatively, can be retrieved from the source impedance information 114 in the storage medium 116 (Fig. 1 ).

[0037] The process 200 further receives (at 204) information of maximum source impedance ratings for different operation modes of a machine (e.g., 108 in Fig. 1 ). This can be input by a user, or alternatively, can be retrieved from the source impedance information 114 in the storage medium 116 (Fig. 1 ).

[0038] Next, the process 200 performs an iterative process for each operation mode of the machine 108, and ends once all operation modes of the machine 108 have been considered. An operation mode of the machine 108 that is currently considered in the iterative process is referred to as a“currently considered operation mode.” [0039] In some examples, all operation modes of the machine 108 can by default be enabled unless disabled using the process 200. In other examples, all operation modes of the machine 108 can by default be disabled unless enabled using the process 200. In further examples, there is no default enabling or disabling of operation modes of the machine 108; rather, each operation mode is enabled or disabled based on the process 200.

[0040] For the currently considered operation mode, the process 200 determines (at 206) if the source impedance (ZSRC) of the power source 102 exceeds the maximum source impedance rating (ZMAX) associated with the currently considered operation mode. If ZSRC does not exceed ZMAX, the process 200 enables (at 208) the currently considered operation mode. The process 200 then continues to the next operation mode of the machine 108 for consideration.

[0041 ] However, if ZSRC exceeds ZMAX for the currently considered operation mode, the process 200 presents (at 210) a warning, which can be a warning displayed in a display device, an alert sent to a target entity (a user, a machine, or a program), or any other output indication that a flicker issue may be present.

[0042] The process 200 determines (at 212) whether the machine 108 is located in a region that is governed by a flicker policy. If not, the process 200 enables (at 208) the currently considered operation mode.

[0043] If the machine 108 is determined to be in a region governed by a flicker policy, the process 200 determines (at 214) whether an approval has been obtained for the currently considered operation mode from an entity. The entity can include a power utility company, a government body, or any other entity that can control whether or not machines are allowed to operate in a given region. A user or enterprise that wishes to use the machine 108 may have previously applied for approval to operate a machine in an operation mode that would cause the source impedance of the power source 102 to exceed the maximum source impedance rating of the operation mode. The entity can provide an approval of the given operation mode. [0044] If entity approval of the currently considered operation mode of the machine 108 has been obtained, the process 200 enables (at 208) the currently considered operation mode. However, if entity approval has not been obtained for the currently considered operation mode, then the process 200 disables (at 216) the currently considered mode of operation.

[0045] The process 200 then continues to the next operation mode of the machine 108 for consideration.

[0046] In other examples, instead of determining whether entity approval has been obtained in deciding whether to enable or disable the currently considered operation mode in cases where ZSRC exceeds ZMAX and the machine 108 is located in a region that is governed by a flicker policy, the process 200 can instead consult predetermined information (such as information published by a regulator body or other entity) to decide whether the currently considered operation mode is allowed based on the source impedance (ZSRC) of the power source and the maximum source impedance rating of the currently considered operation mode of the machine 108.

[0047] In further examples, an operation mode can be added to the machine 108 after the machine 108 has been released into a market or has been deployed at a site (e.g., a customer site). For example, the machine 108 when released into a market or deployed at a site may have just a first subset of operation modes. After the release into the market or deployment at the site, the machine 108 can be upgraded to add a new operation mode (such as by upgrading machine-readable instructions of the machine 108 or adding or upgrading a hardware component to the machine 108). The process 200 can be performed in response to addition of the new operation mode to determine whether the new operation mode is to be enabled or disabled.

[0048] Fig. 3 is a non-transitory machine-readable or computer-readable storage medium 300 storing machine-readable instructions to adapt functionality of a machine. The machine-readable instructions upon execution cause a controller (e.g., 112 in Fig. 1 ) to perform various tasks.

[0049] The machine-readable instructions include source impedance comparing instructions 302 to compare a first source impedance rating of a first mode of the machine to a source impedance of a power source, where the machine is operable in a plurality of modes associated with different source impedance ratings. The plurality of modes of the machine draw are associated with respective different frequencies of electrical current fluctuations and/or different ranges of electrical current fluctuations that cause flicker at the power source based on the source impedance of the power source.

[0050] The machine-readable instructions further include mode enabling instructions 304 to enable the first mode of the machine in response to determining, based on the comparing, that the source impedance of the power source satisfies the first source impedance rating (e.g., the source impedance of the power source does not exceed a maximum source impedance rating for the first mode). More generally, the source impedance of the power source satisfying a source impedance rating can refer to the source impedance of the power source having a relationship (e.g., greater than, less than, etc.) with respect to the source impedance rating that satisfies a specified criterion.

[0051 ] In further examples, the machine-readable instructions can include mode disabling instructions to disable the first mode of the machine in response to determining, based on the comparing, that the source impedance of the power source does not satisfy the first source impedance rating (e.g., the source

impedance of the power source exceeds a maximum source impedance rating for the first mode).

[0052] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a system 400 including a hardware processor 402 (or multiple hardware processors). A hardware processor can include a microprocessor, a core of a multi-core microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable integrated circuit, a programmable gate array, a digital signal processor, or another hardware processing circuit.

[0053] The system 400 further includes a storage medium 404 storing machine- readable instructions executable on the hardware processor 402 to perform various tasks. Machine-readable instructions executable on a hardware processor can refer to the instructions executable on a single hardware processor or the instructions executable on multiple hardware processors.

[0054] The machine-readable instructions include source impedance determining instructions 406 to determine a source impedance of a power source to which a machine is to connected (e.g., the source impedance of the power source is input by a user in response to a prompt, or the source impedance of the power source is retrieved from specified information, or the source impedance of the power source is downloaded from an information source such as a website, a database, etc.).

[0055] The machine-readable instructions include source impedance rating information accessing instructions 408 to access information specifying different source impedance ratings associated with a plurality of modes of operation of the machine.

[0056] The machine-readable instructions include functionality adapting instructions 410 to selectively adapt functionality of the machine by enabling or disabling modes of operation of the plurality of modes of operation of the machine based on the source impedance of the power source and the different source impedance ratings.

[0057] The functionality adapting instructions 410 are to selectively adapt functionality of the machine by enabling a first mode of the plurality of modes of operation in response to determining that the source impedance of the power source satisfies the source impedance rating of the first mode, and disabling a second mode of the plurality of modes of operation in response to determining that the source impedance of the power source does not satisfy the source impedance rating of the second mode. The functionality adapting instructions 410 are to disable the second mode further in response to determining that the machine is deployed at or is to be deployed in a region subject to a flicker policy. The functionality adapting

instructions 410 are to disable the second mode further in response to determining that approval has not been obtained for the second mode from a specified entity.

[0058] Fig. 5 is a flow diagram of a process 500 of adapting machine functionality according to further examples. The process 500 includes receiving (at 502) input information relating to a source impedance of a power source and source impedance ratings of a plurality of modes of operation of the machine. The process 500 includes comparing (at 504) the source impedance ratings to the source impedance of the power source. The process 500 includes selectively enabling or disabling (at 506) modes of operation of the plurality of modes of operation of the machine based on the comparison result.

[0059] In further examples, a machine may draw power from multiple power sources (e.g., the multiple power sources can concurrently be supplying power to the machine, such as to in a situation where just one of the power sources may not provide sufficient power to meet the demand of the machine). In such examples, a modified process based on Fig. 5 includes receiving input information relating to source impedances of respective power sources and source impedance ratings of a plurality of modes of operation of the machine. The modified process includes comparing the source impedance ratings to the source impedances of the power sources. The modified process includes selectively enabling or disabling modes of operation of the plurality of modes of operation of the machine based on the comparison results. For example, a mode of operation can be disabled if any source impedance of the source impedances of the power sources fails to satisfy the source impedance rating associated with the mode of operation. The mode of operation can be enabled if all source impedances of the power sources satisfy the source impedance rating associated with the mode of operation.

[0060] The storage medium 300 (Fig. 3) or 404 (Fig. 4) can include any or some combination of the following: a semiconductor memory device such as a dynamic or static random access memory (a DRAM or SRAM), an erasable and programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and flash memory; a magnetic disk such as a fixed, floppy and removable disk; another magnetic medium including tape; an optical medium such as a compact disc (CD) or a digital versatile disc (DVD); or another type of storage device. Note that the instructions discussed above can be provided on one computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, or alternatively, can be provided on multiple computer-readable or machine-readable storage media distributed in a large system having possibly plural nodes. Such computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium or media is (are) considered to be part of an article (or article of manufacture). An article or article of manufacture can refer to any manufactured single component or multiple components. The storage medium or media can be located either in the machine running the machine-readable instructions, or located at a remote site from which machine-readable instructions can be downloaded over a network for execution.

[0061 ] In the foregoing description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the subject disclosed herein. However, implementations may be practiced without some of these details. Other implementations may include modifications and variations from the details discussed above. It is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications and variations.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions to adapt functionality of a machine based on power source impedance, the instructions upon execution causing a controller to:

compare a first source impedance rating of a first mode of the machine to a source impedance of a power source, wherein the machine is operable in a plurality of modes associated with different source impedance ratings; and

enable the first mode of the machine in response to determining, based on the comparing, that the source impedance of the power source satisfies the first source impedance rating.

2. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the instructions upon execution cause the controller to:

disable the first mode of the machine in response to determining, based on the comparing, that the source impedance of the power source does not satisfy the first source impedance rating.

3. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the instructions upon execution cause the controller to:

in response to determining, based on the comparing, that the source impedance of the power source does not satisfy the first source impedance rating:

determine whether the machine is located in a region subject to a flicker policy,

enable the first mode of the machine in response to determining that the machine is not located in a region subject to the flicker policy, and

disable the first mode of the machine in response to determining that the machine is located in a region subject to the flicker policy.

4. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the instructions upon execution cause the controller to:

determine whether a specified entity approves operation of the first mode of the machine,

enable the first mode of the machine in response to determining that the specified entity approves operation of the first mode of the machine, and

disable the first mode of the machine in response to determining that the specified entity does not approve operation of the first mode of the machine.

5. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the instructions upon execution cause the controller to:

access predetermined information to determine whether the first mode of the machine is allowed,

enable the first mode of the machine in response to determining that the predetermined information allows the first mode of the machine, and

disable the first mode of the machine in response to determining that the predetermined information does not allow the first mode of the machine.

6. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the instructions upon execution cause the controller to:

compare a second source impedance rating of a second mode of the machine to the source impedance of the power source; and

enable or disable the second mode of the machine in response to the comparing of the second source impedance rating to the source impedance of the power source.

7. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the first source impedance rating is a maximum source impedance rating for the first mode, and wherein determining that the source impedance of the power source satisfies the first source impedance rating comprises determining that the source impedance of the power source does not exceed the maximum source impedance rating for the first mode.

8. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of modes of operation of the machine are associated with different frequencies of electrical current fluctuations that cause flicker at the power source based on the source impedance of the power source.

9. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of modes of the machine are associated with different ranges of electrical current fluctuations that cause flicker at the power source based on the source impedance of the power source.

10. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory storage medium storing instructions executable on the processor to:

determine a source impedance of a power source to which a machine is connected;

access information specifying different source impedance ratings associated with a plurality of modes of operation of the machine; and

selectively adapt functionality of the machine by enabling or disabling modes of operation of the plurality of modes of operation of the machine based on the source impedance of the power source and the different source impedance ratings.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions are executable on the processor to:

selectively adapt functionality of the machine by disabling a second mode of the plurality of modes of operation in response to determining that the source impedance of the power source does not satisfy the source impedance rating of the second mode.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the instructions are executable on the processor to disable the second mode further in response to determining that the machine is deployed at or is to be deployed in a region subject to a flicker policy.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the instructions are executable on the processor to disable the second mode further in response to determining that an approval has not been obtained for the second mode from a specified entity.

14. A method performed by a system comprising a hardware processor for machine functionality adaptation based on power source impedance, comprising: receiving input information relating to a source impedance of a power source to which a machine is connected, and source impedance ratings of a plurality of modes of operation of the machine;

comparing the source impedance ratings to the source impedance of the power source; and

selectively enabling or disabling modes of operation of the plurality of modes of operation of the machine based on the comparing.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the machine is connected to a plurality of power sources, the method comprising:

receiving input information relating to source impedances of the plurality of power sources;

comparing the source impedance ratings to the source impedances of the plurality of power sources; and

selectively enabling or disabling modes of operation of the plurality of modes of operation of the machine based on the comparing of the source impedance ratings to the source impedances of the plurality of power sources.