Programmable Controller Power Management via Dual-OS Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Programmable controllers with general-purpose operating systems consume excessive power due to continuous operation, necessitating a reduction in power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A controller unit with separate processors for real-time and general-purpose operating systems, featuring a power operation circuit that activates and deactivates the general-purpose OS based on received instructions, reducing unnecessary power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the general-purpose operating system is continuously operated to provide information processing functions, then the functionality and versatility of the programmable controller is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating state of the general-purpose OS based on operational mode. In power-saving mode, the general-purpose OS is deactivated while the real-time OS continues operating. In information processing mode, the general-purpose OS is activated to provide general-purpose computing functions. This dynamic state transition resolves the contradiction by adapting system functionality to actual needs rather than maintaining a fixed state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic activation and deactivation of the general-purpose operating system based on operational requirements. The control unit receives mode switching signals that trigger periodic transitions between power-saving operation (general-purpose OS deactivated) and information processing operation (general-purpose OS activated). This periodic action allows the system to balance between power consumption and functionality over time.
2Productivity
If the general-purpose operating system is activated to handle data collection and analysis tasks, then the productivity and data processing capability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between operational modes based on task requirements. When data collection and analysis tasks are needed, the system transitions to information processing mode which activates the general-purpose OS to provide the necessary productivity capabilities. When such tasks are not required, the system switches to power-saving mode, deactivating the general-purpose OS to reduce power consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between productivity and energy usage.
3Device complexity
If a single processor implements both real-time and general-purpose operating systems, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power consumption cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the processing functions by implementing separate processors for real-time operations and general-purpose operations. The first processor is dedicated to running the real-time operating system for time-critical control functions, while the second processor runs the general-purpose operating system for data processing and analysis. This segmentation allows independent power management of each processor, enabling the system to deactivate the power-consuming general-purpose processor when its functions are not needed, thus optimizing overall power consumption while maintaining device functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller unit in a programmable controller includes a real-time OS implementer including a first processor to implement a real-time OS, and a general-purpose OS implementer including a second processor to implement a general-purpose OS. The real-time OS implementer further includes a receiver circuit to receive a device value indicating an instruction for changing a power supply state of the general-purpose OS including activation and deactivation of the general-purpose OS, and a power operation circuit to activate the general-purpose OS. The real-time OS implementer activates the general-purpose OS using the power operation circuit when the receiver circuit receives the device value for activating the general-purpose OS. The general-purpose OS implementer deactivates the general-purpose OS when the receiver circuit receives the device value for deactivating the general-purpose OS.