Non-Volatile Counter Circuit With Isolated Boosted Memory Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-volatile counter systems face challenges in updating counter values during power loss, especially in applications where energy harvesting is limited, requiring efficient power management to maintain position sensing functionality without external power.
Innovation Solution
A non-volatile counter system with a power circuit that generates and stores counter values using energy from sensor pulse signals, incorporating a boost circuit to enhance the supply voltage for memory operations, while isolating power domains to optimize energy use and prevent charge drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If energy harvesting sources are made small and low cost to meet compact sensor requirements, then device size and cost are reduced, but the energy available for harvesting is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The power management circuit dynamically adjusts its operation based on available energy levels. The system transitions between different operational states (normal operation, low-power mode, sleep mode) depending on the harvested energy, allowing the small sensor to adapt its energy consumption to match the limited harvesting capacity while maintaining position sensing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as sampling frequency, update rate, and power state based on available energy. When energy is abundant, the system operates at full performance; when energy is scarce, it reduces operational intensity to match available power, enabling small low-cost sensors to function effectively
2Use of energy by moving object
If power domains are isolated to optimize energy use and prevent charge drainage, then energy efficiency is improved, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management circuit is divided into distinct power domains (first power domain for logic circuits, second power domain for memory circuits) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows selective powering of different functional blocks, enabling the system to isolate and protect energy reserves in one domain while operating another domain, thus improving energy efficiency without requiring a complete redesign of the entire system
Solution Approach 2:
A control circuit acts as an intermediary between the two power domains, managing the isolation and connection between them. The control circuit monitors energy levels and selectively connects or disconnects power supply paths, enabling intelligent energy management while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple through centralized control
3Reliability
If a boost circuit is used to enhance supply voltage for memory operations, then memory writing capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boost circuit operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when memory write operations are required. The control circuit detects when memory writing is needed and temporarily enables the boost circuit to provide the necessary voltage enhancement, then deactivates it afterward. This periodic operation ensures reliable memory operations when needed while minimizing overall power consumption during normal counter operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares energy in advance by harvesting and storing energy in capacitors during periods when boost is not needed. When a memory write operation is required, the pre-stored energy is quickly deployed through the boost circuit, eliminating the need for continuous high-power operation while ensuring reliability when needed
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous updating and storage of counter values during power loss, ensuring accurate position sensing upon power restoration, with reduced energy consumption and the ability to use smaller, low-cost sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the control circuit causes the boost circuit to boost the second supply voltage signal after the regulator output is disconnected from the second power domain supply node in the given pulse
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed examples include non-volatile counter systems to generate and store a counter value according to a sensor pulse signal, and power circuits to generate first and second supply voltage signals to power first and second power domain circuits using power from the sensor pulse signal, including a switch connected between first and second power domain supply nodes, a boost circuit, and a control circuit to selectively cause the switch to disconnect the first and second power domain circuits from one another after the first supply voltage signal rises above a threshold voltage in a given pulse of the sensor pulse signal, and to cause the boost circuit to boost the second supply voltage signal after the regulator output is disconnected from the second power domain supply node in the given pulse.