Dual CPU Power Management for Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information processing apparatuses with wireless communication capabilities face challenges in managing power consumption efficiently, as wireless communication processing often interrupts the control unit, leading to increased power usage when not necessary.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a dual CPU configuration, where a first CPU handles primary communication tasks and switches to a low power state when unnecessary, while a second CPU, with lower power consumption, assists in managing the communication unit and controlling the connection state based on the apparatus's conditions, using DMA transfers and UART interfaces to optimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a single control unit handles wireless communication, then the device structure is simple, but power consumption increases due to frequent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is segmented into two independent parts: a first control unit (main CPU) that handles high-performance tasks and a second control unit (sub-CPU) that handles wireless communication. This segmentation allows each unit to operate independently, enabling the main CPU to enter low-power states during communication activities without being interrupted, thus resolving the contradiction between simple structure and low power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the control unit transitions to low power state, then power consumption is reduced, but wireless communication responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The second control unit acts as an intermediary between the wireless communication module and the first control unit. It receives and processes communication requests, manages data transfer, and can wake up the first control unit when necessary. This intermediary structure ensures that the first control unit can remain in low-power state while maintaining communication responsiveness through the second control unit's intermediate handling.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the first control unit handles all communication tasks, then control logic is simple, but power consumption increases during communication operations
Solution Approach 1:
Communication control logic is segmented between two control units: the second control unit handles routine communication protocols, data buffering, and basic transmission/reception tasks, while the first control unit focuses on high-level application logic. This segmentation reduces the first control unit's workload and allows it to enter low-power states more frequently, while the second control unit maintains operational simplicity for communication-specific tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes: a communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external apparatus; a first control unit that switches between a normal state and a low electric power consumption state that suppresses electric power consumption to less than the normal state; and a second control unit that operates at lower electric power consumption than the first control unit, in which the information processing apparatus controls a connection state of the communication unit with the first control unit and the second control unit, based on a state of the information processing apparatus.