Communication Device Power Management via Idle Timeout
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power saving technologies like power gating and clock gating are ineffective in scenarios where the processor's operation status is uncertain, such as when waiting for external input, leading to unnecessary power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A communication device with a controller and timer that switches states based on a timeout notification, reducing power consumption by stopping electrical power to components when no data is received for a certain period, and resuming power when an activation signal is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power gating is used to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced more effectively, but data saving overheads and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple timeout counter mechanism instead of complex data saving infrastructure. The counter is incremented on each clock cycle when no data is received, and when it reaches a threshold, the communication interface is powered off. This disposable-like approach avoids the need for persistent data storage during power gating, reducing complexity while maintaining power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication interface monitors its own activity status through the timeout counter and autonomously decides when to power off based on detected idle periods. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external control logic to track usage patterns, reducing overall system complexity while achieving effective power consumption reduction.
2Device complexity
If clock gating is used to reduce power consumption, then no data saving overheads are required, but power consumption reduction effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management approach by applying power gating selectively only to the communication interface components (receiver, sender, bus interface) rather than the entire processor. This segmentation allows the system to achieve significant power savings in the communication subsystem without requiring data saving mechanisms for the whole system, while other parts continue operating normally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of data reception activity using a timeout counter that increments on each clock cycle. When the counter reaches a predetermined threshold indicating a prolonged idle period, the communication interface is powered off. This periodic check mechanism provides effective power management without requiring complex data saving overheads, bridging the gap between simple clock gating and complex power gating implementations.
3Reliability
If power is continued to be supplied when waiting for external input, then data reception readiness is maintained, but unnecessary power consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the power state of the communication interface based on real-time detection of data reception activity. The timeout counter continuously monitors for incoming data, and when an idle period exceeds the threshold, the interface transitions to a low-power state. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliability during active communication while reducing power consumption during idle periods, resolving the contradiction between readiness and power usage.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a communication device includes a register and a controller. The register receives data from an external device via an input data line. In a first state in which the communication device is able to receive the data, when a condition in which the data is not sent to the input data line continues for a certain period of time, the controller controls to switch state of the communication device to a second state in which power consumption is less than in the first state.