Adaptive Clock Frequency Switching for ADC Continuity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clock signal management methods for microcontrollers face issues with discontinuity and latency when toggling between operating modes, leading to inefficient power usage and functional discontinuity of peripherals, particularly in analog-to-digital converters.
Innovation Solution
A clock subsystem that includes an oscillator and a controller to dynamically adjust clock signal frequency based on power mode and analog-to-digital converter inputs, ensuring seamless operation by quickly transitioning between frequencies without software intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a single oscillator generates clock signals for both system operations and peripheral functions, then power consumption is reduced and cost is lowered, but functional discontinuity and latency occur when toggling between power modes
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillator is configured to dynamically switch between multiple operating frequencies (first frequency for low-power mode, second frequency for full operation) based on system state. This dynamic frequency adjustment allows the single oscillator to adapt to different power modes while maintaining functional continuity, resolving the contradiction between power savings and operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters (frequency) of the oscillator based on power mode requirements. By adjusting the frequency parameter between two predefined values, the system achieves both power efficiency and functional continuity without requiring multiple oscillators or complex software reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If multiple oscillators are used to provide dedicated clock signals for peripherals, then functional continuity is ensured, but cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single oscillator is designed to perform multiple functions by generating clock signals at different frequencies for both system operations and peripheral functions. This multi-functional oscillator eliminates the need for separate dedicated oscillators, reducing both cost and power consumption while maintaining functional continuity through frequency switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple oscillators into a single oscillator that can operate at different frequencies. By combining what would traditionally require separate hardware components into one versatile oscillator, the system achieves functional continuity without the overhead of multiple oscillators.
3Adaptability or versatility
If software reconfiguration is implemented to adjust sampling rates, then adaptability is improved, but operational latency and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clock subsystem autonomously determines the appropriate frequency based on power mode inputs and automatically switches oscillator frequencies without requiring software intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates software reconfiguration delays, reducing operational latency while maintaining sampling rate adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from power mode inputs to automatically adjust the oscillator frequency. This closed-loop control enables the system to adapt sampling rates in real-time based on operational requirements, achieving both adaptability and low latency without software reconfiguration overhead.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If the peripheral operates below its usual sampling rate to use a low-frequency clock signal, then power consumption is reduced, but functional performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillator dynamically switches between a low frequency (for power saving) and a high frequency (for full peripheral performance) based on system state. This dynamic frequency adjustment allows the peripheral to operate at optimal performance levels when needed while consuming minimal power during low-activity periods, resolving the contradiction between power efficiency and performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to adaptive clock signal management, and more specifically to generating a clock signal at desired frequencies based on inputs to a clock subsystem for peripheral use. A clock subsystem is provided herein that comprises an oscillator configured to provide a clock signal at either a first frequency or a second frequency, and a controller coupled to the oscillator and configured to perform various functions. The controller can be configured to determine a desired frequency of the clock signal based on a state of each input of multiple inputs, wherein the multiple inputs comprise a power mode input and an analog-to-digital converter input, and provide a signal to the oscillator to produce the clock signal at the desired frequency.