Dynamic Power Switching for Memory State Preservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated power management systems face challenges in efficiently managing battery energy usage and amplifier output power, leading to data loss during power outages and reduced battery lifespan due to high energy consumption and inefficiencies in voltage level shifting.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that configure a battery and voltage regulator to switch power supply between the battery and voltage regulator, powering memory from the battery when non-memory circuitry is inactive and from a combination of both during transitions, minimizing battery current draw while preserving memory state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If circuits and voltage regulator are shut down during power outage, then battery energy is conserved, but volatile memory loses its state and data is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery energy consumptionVSAvoidmemory state

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two independent paths: one from the battery directly to the volatile memory, and another from the voltage regulator to the non-memory circuits. This segmentation allows the memory to remain powered independently during power outages, preserving data while conserving battery energy for critical operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A power switch acts as an intermediary component that selectively connects or disconnects the battery from the voltage regulator based on operational state. During normal operation, the switch connects both power sources to ensure sufficient power for transmission. During power outages, it disconnects the voltage regulator while maintaining battery connection to memory, preventing data loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If battery power is used to power both memory and non-memory circuitry continuously, then no data loss occurs, but battery lifetime is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata preservationVSAvoidbattery lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply configuration is made dynamic through the power switch that adapts the connection state based on operational requirements. During normal operation with sufficient battery power, the switch maintains both memory and non-memory circuits powered from the battery. When power levels drop or during outages, the switch dynamically reconfigures the power paths to preserve memory state while conserving battery energy for critical transmission operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If voltage level shifting circuitry is added to enable communication between memory and non-memory circuitry during power outages, then data preservation is achieved, but system cost and energy usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata preservation during power outageVSAvoidvoltage level shifting circuitry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing power switch and voltage regulator work together to provide voltage level shifting functionality without requiring separate dedicated circuitry. The voltage regulator inherently provides voltage conversion when activated, and the power switch enables selective activation, together achieving the voltage level shifting needed for communication during power outages without additional complex circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach reduces energy usage, extends battery lifetime, and ensures data preservation by optimizing power management, eliminating the need for costly voltage level shifting circuitry and maintaining sufficient power for transmission operations.

Implementation Method 1

a voltage regulator configured to regulate an output voltage of the battery to supply power to a memory of an electronic circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage regulation:

Data Source

PatentUS9384789B2Power management in an electronic system through reducing energy usage of a battery and/or controlling an output power of an amplifier thereof

Publication Date: 2016.07.05 INTEGRATED DEVICE TECH INC

AI summary

A method includes configuring a battery and a voltage regulator configured to regulate an output voltage of the battery to supply power to a memory of an electronic circuit also comprising non-memory circuitry. The method also includes switching the supply of power between the battery and the voltage regulator such that: the memory is powered from the battery when the non-memory circuitry is inactive, the memory is powered from a combination of voltage from the battery and the voltage regulator when the memory is about to communicate with the non-memory circuitry during a transition of the non-memory circuitry into an active state thereof, and the memory and the non-memory circuitry are powered from the voltage regulator during the active state of the non-memory circuitry. Thus, minimal current is drawn from the battery while a state of the memory of the electronic circuit is preserved.