Dynamic Inactivity Duration for Low Power State Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Circuits face challenges in efficiently implementing a low power state due to the lack of control over inactivity duration, especially when operating at varying communication speeds, which affects energy conservation and compliance with governing standards.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that dynamically adjust the inactivity duration based on current communication speed by using a power management circuit and timer circuitry, allowing switching between different timer modes to determine when to initiate a low power state, including a default mode and modes that scale or maintain inactivity duration regardless of speed changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed inactivity duration is used to determine low power state implementation, then the circuit can maintain stable operation, but the circuit cannot adapt to varying communication speeds and loses energy conservation opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to communication speed changesVSAvoidcomplexity of timer control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the inactivity duration variable rather than fixed. The timer circuit dynamically adjusts the inactivity duration based on the current communication speed of the circuit. When communication speed increases, the inactivity duration decreases proportionally, allowing the circuit to adapt to faster communication rates while conserving energy during slower rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of inactivity duration based on communication speed. The system monitors communication speed and adjusts the timer threshold accordingly. This parameter change allows the circuit to maintain optimal performance across different communication rates while enabling energy conservation when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If the circuit enters low power state quickly to conserve energy, then energy conservation is improved, but the circuit may miss detecting actual inactivity periods due to timing inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption during inactivityVSAvoidprecision of inactivity detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring communication speed and using this information to adjust the inactivity duration threshold. The timer circuit receives feedback about the current communication rate and dynamically adjusts its threshold accordingly, ensuring accurate detection of genuine inactivity periods while enabling timely transitions to low power state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the inactivity duration based on real-time communication speed measurements. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the timer threshold remains accurate across varying communication rates, preventing both premature and delayed low power state transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the inactivity duration is extended to ensure accurate detection, then measurement precision is improved, but energy conservation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of inactivity period detectionVSAvoidenergy wasted during extended monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the inactivity duration parameter dynamically based on communication speed. Instead of using a fixed extended duration, the system adjusts the threshold proportionally to communication rate, achieving accurate detection with minimal monitoring time required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by using only the necessary inactivity duration for accurate detection at each communication speed. Rather than always using an extended duration, the timer uses precisely the amount of time needed based on current communication conditions, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8650422B1Time adjustment for implementation of low power state

Publication Date: 2014.02.11 XILINX INC

AI summary

A method of implementing a low power state within a circuit configurable to communicate at one of different communication speeds can include determining a current communication speed of the circuit and determining an inactivity duration of the circuit according to the current communication speed of the circuit. Responsive to detecting inactivity for an amount of time corresponding to the inactivity duration, the low power state can be implemented within the circuit.