Vehicle Control Microcontroller Clock Scaling for Low-Power Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reducing energy demand in motor vehicle control devices, such as placing them in standby or sleep mode, result in prolonged transition times and require significant bandwidth and additional energy for communication.
Innovation Solution
Adapting the clock frequency of the microcontroller in the control device based on current requirements, reducing it when requirements are low and increasing it when they are high, thereby optimizing energy usage and communication efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the control device is placed in standby or sleep mode to reduce energy demand, then energy consumption is reduced, but the transition time increases and communication bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller dynamically adapts its clock frequency based on current operational requirements. When requirements are low, the clock frequency is reduced to minimize energy consumption. When requirements increase, the clock frequency is raised immediately to ensure timely processing. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for prolonged transition periods associated with standby modes while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter of the microcontroller by adapting the clock frequency according to current requirements. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize between energy consumption and response time continuously, rather than switching between discrete states like active and standby modes, thereby reducing both energy demand and transition time.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the control device is placed in standby or sleep mode to reduce energy demand, then energy consumption is reduced, but communication bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller maintains a dynamic clock frequency that adapts to current operational requirements, allowing the control device to remain in a low-power state without requiring prolonged transition times. This dynamic operation reduces the need for frequent wake-up cycles and associated communication overhead, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining energy efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the clock frequency is reduced to minimize energy consumption, then energy demand is reduced, but the processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the clock frequency based on real-time operational requirements. When the control device receives indications of current requirements, it adapts the clock frequency accordingly - reducing it during low-demand periods to minimize energy consumption, and increasing it immediately when processing speed is needed, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device operates based on received indications of current requirements, creating a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors operational needs and adjusts the clock frequency accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the processing speed is optimized to match actual demand, preventing unnecessary high-speed operation that would waste energy while ensuring adequate speed when required.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a control device, having a microcontroller, of a motor vehicle, in particular a door control device. Current requirements for the control device are determined by the microcontroller, and a clock frequency of the microcontroller is adapted as a function of the current requirements. There is also described a control device.