Inductor Peak-Current Power Management for Variable Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embedded systems face inefficiencies in energy usage due to unpredictable renewable power sources, leading to wasted energy when clock frequencies are mismatched with energy accumulation rates, especially when interfacing with variable input voltages.
Innovation Solution
A self-adjusting power management system that monitors inductor current to determine peak energy transfer points, allowing for flexible cadences that optimize energy storage and distribution across a range of input levels, using a separate storage unit for charge/discharge control logic to maintain functionality even when the main storage is depleted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a traditional clocked approach is used to control inductor charging and discharging, then the system operates with fixed time periods, but energy is wasted when the clock frequency does not match the energy accumulation rate from variable power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the inductor charging and discharging process by monitoring the current through the inductor and detecting when peak current is reached. The power management unit adjusts the operating cadence dynamically based on the actual energy accumulation rate, rather than using a fixed clock frequency. This allows the system to adapt to variable input power levels and minimize energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where a sensor circuit continuously monitors the current through the inductor and provides this information to the power management unit. The power management unit uses this feedback to determine when peak current has been reached and to adjust the timing of energy transfer operations, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes energy utilization.
2Productivity
If the clock frequency is increased to match faster energy accumulation rates, then more energy can be transferred per unit time, but power consumption increases and energy is wasted when the rate is too high for the current input level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the system dynamically by adjusting the effective clock frequency or operating cadence based on the actual energy accumulation rate. When the input power level is high and energy accumulates quickly, the system increases the transfer rate. When the input power level is low, the system reduces the transfer rate, thereby optimizing the balance between productivity and power consumption.
3Reliability
If a separate storage unit is provided for charge/discharge control logic, then the system can maintain functionality when main storage is depleted, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage function into two distinct parts: a main storage unit for bulk energy storage and a separate storage unit for charge/discharge control logic. This segmentation allows the control logic to maintain operation even when the main storage is depleted, ensuring operational continuity. The separate storage unit acts as a dedicated buffer for control functions, isolating them from the main storage depletion.
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 achieves efficient energy usage across varying input levels, minimizing waste and ensuring consistent operation by dynamically adjusting energy transfer cadences based on current monitoring, particularly suitable for systems relying on renewable energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
at least one inductor for accumulating energy from the power source for transfer to the main storage unit
Implementation Method 2
a sensor circuit for monitoring a current through the at least one inductor as the energy is accumulated thereon
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein is an embedded system comprising: a circuit for executing operations; a power management unit for interfacing with at least one power source; a main storage unit for storing energy from the power source for provision to the circuit; at least one inductor for accumulating energy from the power source for transfer to the main storage unit and/or for accumulating energy from the main storage unit for transfer to the circuit; and a sensor circuit for monitoring a current through the at least one inductor as the energy is accumulated thereon, wherein the power management unit is configured to connect the inductor to transfer energy to the main storage unit or to the circuit in response to a signal from the sensor circuit that peak current has been reached. Also described herein is a device including an embedded system and a method for operating an embedded system. (Fig 1 for publication)