Integrated Circuit Standby Power Control via Wake-Up Terminal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits in automotive systems dissipate significant power when in a standby state due to voltage monitoring circuitry, leading to continuous battery discharge and potential battery depletion.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit design featuring a power control circuit with a wake-up terminal, supply voltage terminal, and a voltage monitoring circuit that uses an operation switch to minimize power dissipation in standby mode, allowing the circuit to remain in a low-power state until activated by a wake-up signal, thereby reducing overall energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage monitoring circuitry operates continuously in standby state, then supply voltage level can be monitored, but power dissipation increases and battery discharges continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage monitoring circuit is activated periodically through wake-up signals rather than continuously. The enable circuit receives wake-up signals from wake-up terminals and activates the voltage monitoring circuit only when needed, transforming continuous operation into periodic operation to reduce power consumption during standby state.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit monitors its own supply voltage level through the voltage monitoring circuit and automatically determines whether to activate processing circuitry based on the monitored voltage, eliminating the need for external continuous monitoring control.
2Use of energy by moving object
If voltage monitoring circuitry is disabled in standby state, then power dissipation is reduced, but voltage level monitoring is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The enable circuit is prepared in advance to receive wake-up signals and quickly activate the voltage monitoring circuit when needed. The circuit maintains the capability to monitor voltage by having the enable circuit and wake-up terminals ready, rather than continuously operating the monitoring circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage monitoring circuit provides feedback about the supply voltage level to the processing circuitry through a supply voltage level indication signal. This feedback mechanism allows the system to make informed decisions about activation based on real-time voltage conditions.
3Ease of operation
If processing circuitry remains in operation state, then it can respond to commands, but power dissipation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuitry dynamically transitions between operation state and standby state based on wake-up signals and voltage monitoring results. The system adapts its operational state rather than remaining fixed, allowing it to conserve power during standby while maintaining responsiveness when activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing circuitry automatically determines when to activate or remain in standby based on wake-up signals and voltage monitoring feedback, eliminating the need for external continuous control of its operational state.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit, comprises a wakeup terminal; a supply voltage terminal configured to receive a supply voltage; and a power control circuit. The power control circuit comprises an enable circuit coupled to the wakeup terminal and configured to generate a voltage monitoring enable signal as a response to a wakeup signal received at the wakeup terminal, and a voltage monitoring circuit for generating a supply voltage level indication signal. The voltage monitoring circuit is coupled to the supply voltage terminal and comprises an operation switch controlled by the voltage monitoring enable signal. The voltage monitoring circuit is configured to determine if the supply voltage is above a threshold voltage and set the supply voltage level indication signal accordingly. The integrated circuit further comprises processing circuitry, with the supply voltage level indication signal controlling the switching between a normal operation state and a standby state of the processing circuitry.