Chip Card Power Supply with Integrated Secondary Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power supply mechanisms for chip cards, which rely on host device interfaces, limit the performance of microcontrollers due to restricted voltage and current supply, and require complex DC to DC converters for memory unit programming, especially when significant voltage differences are involved.
Innovation Solution
A chip card with an integrated second power supply means that can independently provide higher voltage and current to specific components, such as processors and memory units, allowing for increased performance without violating interface current limits and simplifying voltage conversion requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the microcontroller is supplied with higher current to increase processor performance, then the processing speed and calculation capability are improved, but the interface current limit between host device and chip card is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent sources: the first power supply means (host device) provides baseline power through the interface, while the second power supply means (internal battery) provides additional power specifically for high-current demands. This segmentation allows the processor to receive higher current without exceeding interface limits, as the interface only carries the baseline current from the host device.
Solution Approach 2:
The second power supply means (battery) is pre-charged during normal operation when the chip card is connected to the host device. When high current is needed for processor performance, the battery is already charged and ready to immediately supplement the power, avoiding the need to exceed interface current limits at the moment of high demand.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a DC to DC converter is integrated into the microcontroller to provide programming voltage for memory units, then the memory programming function is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second power supply means is designed to directly provide the higher programming voltage required by memory units, eliminating the need for a separate DC to DC converter within the microcontroller. By merging the voltage generation function into the power supply system rather than the microcontroller, the memory programming capability is enabled while keeping the microcontroller itself simpler.
3Productivity
If the second power supply means continuously supplies power to the microcontroller, then the performance is maximized, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply configuration is dynamic rather than static. The second power supply means selectively supplements the first power supply means only when high current or voltage is required for specific operations (processor performance boosts, memory programming). During normal low-power operations, only the first power supply is used, minimizing overall power consumption while maintaining maximum performance when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a chip card (101) for inserting into a host device (102), the chip card (101) comprising a microcontroller (104), the microcontroller (104) including a processor (108; 109) and a memory unit (112; 113) and the micro-controller (104) being connected to a power terminal (106a) of the chip card (101) for receiving power from a first power supply means (107) of the host device (102). Furthermore, the chip card (101) comprises a second power supply means (114), the second power supply means (114) being configured to at least temporarily supply power to a first component of the microcontroller (104).