Dynamic Power Budget Allocation for Brownout Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face power management challenges, particularly when multiple modules draw power simultaneously, causing the voltage to fall below the undervoltage lockout (UVLO) threshold, leading to premature device shutdown, especially in devices with low battery capacity and in cold temperatures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to assign power budgets to modules and modify their states based on pre-UVLO thresholds to prevent voltage drops, using software and hardware interactions to manage power requests and adjust priorities, ensuring that no module draws its maximum current capacity, thereby maintaining operational voltage levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple modules draw maximum power simultaneously, then the device can provide full functionality, but the voltage falls below the UVLO threshold causing premature shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power budgets assigned to different modules based on real-time voltage monitoring. When voltage approaches the UVLO threshold, the power management controller redistributes power budgets to prioritize critical functions and reduce overall power consumption, preventing brownout conditions while maintaining essential device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the power consumption parameters of modules by adjusting their power budgets. The controller monitors voltage levels and modifies the current draw parameters of individual modules dynamically, ensuring total power consumption remains below the brownout threshold while maintaining operational versatility.
2Reliability
If power budgets are assigned to limit current draw, then voltage stability is maintained, but module performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Power budgets are dynamically adjusted based on real-time voltage monitoring and module priority levels. When voltage is stable, higher-performance power budgets are assigned to maximize module productivity. When voltage approaches thresholds, budgets are reduced to maintain stability, with priority given to critical functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by continuously monitoring voltage levels and adjusting power budget allocations accordingly. The power management controller receives voltage feedback and modifies module power consumption in real-time, optimizing the balance between voltage stability and module performance based on actual system conditions.
3Reliability
If the device uses a pre-UVLO threshold to modify module states, then brownout is prevented, but power management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary action by monitoring voltage against a pre-UVLO threshold that is higher than the actual UVLO point. When the pre-threshold is approached, the power management controller proactively redistributes power budgets and modifies module states before brownout occurs, preventing the problematic condition rather than reacting to it.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system serves itself through automated voltage monitoring and dynamic power budget redistribution. The controller independently detects voltage conditions and adjusts module power consumption without external intervention, reducing the perceived complexity for users while maintaining reliable brownout prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the disclosure are directed to methods of managing power of various modules of an electronic device to prevent the voltage of the battery from falling to an undervoltage lockout (UVLO) threshold. In some examples, software operating on the electronic device or an associated electronic device (e.g., a paired electronic device) may assign power budgets to one or more modules, thereby preventing each module from drawing its maximum current capacity and causing the battery's voltage level to fall to the UVLO threshold. In some examples, a pre-UVLO threshold (i.e., a threshold higher than the UVLO threshold) may be used to modify the states of one or more modules to save power as the voltage of the battery approaches the UVLO threshold, but before the device must be fully powered off.