ANC Signal Generator Power Gating Based on Noise Level
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional active noise control (ANC) systems in headphones have high power consumption, which shortens battery life, and existing solutions do not effectively manage power usage while maintaining noise cancellation performance.
Innovation Solution
An ANC system that includes an AD converter and an ANC signal generator, with a level detector that powers down the ANC signal generator when noise levels are below a threshold and returns to normal operation when levels exceed the threshold, reducing power consumption by selectively activating and deactivating system components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ANC signal generator operates continuously to maintain noise cancellation, then noise cancellation performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating state of the ANC signal generator based on real-time noise level detection. The level detector continuously monitors external noise levels and controls the power supply to switch between normal operation and power down modes, making the system adaptive to changing environmental conditions rather than operating in a fixed state
Solution Approach 2:
The ANC signal generator operates intermittently rather than continuously. The system periodically switches between active noise cancellation mode and power down mode based on noise level thresholds, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining noise cancellation capability when needed
2Use of energy by moving object
If the ANC signal generator is powered down to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but noise cancellation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The level detector provides continuous feedback about external noise levels to the power supply control mechanism. This feedback loop ensures that the ANC signal generator is activated when noise exceeds the threshold and deactivated when noise is below the threshold, maintaining noise cancellation capability while minimizing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own noise detection capability to automatically control its power state. The level detector monitors the environment and self-regulates the power supply to the ANC signal generator without external intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in managing the contradiction between power consumption and noise cancellation capability
Data Source
AI summary
An ANC system includes an AD converter which performs AD conversion on an external noise signal, an ANC signal generator which generates an ANC signal for canceling a noise component arriving at the ears of a user based on an output signal of the AD converter, and a level detector which detects a level of the output signal and causes the ANC signal generator to power down in response to the level. The level detector measures a time for which the level is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value, causes the ANC signal generator or a portion of blocks of the AD converter to power down after the measured time exceeds a predetermined value, and causes the ANC signal generator or a portion of blocks of the AD converter to return from the power down when the level exceeds a predetermined second threshold value.