Microcontroller Power Management via Dynamic Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcontrollers face high power consumption due to constant operation of oscillators and CPUs even when no data is being received, making it difficult to reduce power consumption effectively.
Innovation Solution
A microcontroller with operational modes such as STOP, SNOOZE, and RUN, where the oscillator and CPU are stopped when no data is being received, and only activated upon data input, using a UART data input unit and an A/D converter to manage these modes based on data and trigger signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the oscillator and CPU are constantly operated to receive UART data at arbitrary timings, then the data reception reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller performs preliminary actions by stopping the oscillator and CPU before data reception is needed, then quickly restarting them when data arrives. The UART receiver operates independently in a low-power state, ready to trigger CPU activation. This preliminary stopping of components before needed reduces power consumption while maintaining the ability to respond reliably to incoming data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between different operational states: a low-power state where only the UART receiver is active, and a full-power state where the CPU and oscillator are active. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power consumption based on actual data reception needs while maintaining reliability by ensuring components are active when data arrives.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the oscillator is stopped during HALT period to reduce power consumption, then the power consumption is reduced, but the data reception capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the functionality into two independent parts: the UART receiver that can operate independently in a low-power state, and the CPU that is activated only when needed. This segmentation allows the oscillator to be stopped during HALT period while the UART receiver remains functional and can trigger CPU activation upon detecting incoming data, thus reducing power consumption without losing data reception capability.
3Productivity
If the CPU constantly processes received data, then the data processing speed is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The CPU operates periodically rather than continuously - it is activated only when data is received and processes the data in batches, then returns to a low-power state. This periodic operation pattern maintains data processing capability when needed while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to constant CPU operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A microcontroller includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a data input unit, and an oscillator that supplies a clock signal in response to operational modes of the microcontroller. The operational modes include a STOP mode, a SNOOZE mode and a RUN mode, in the STOP mode, the oscillator and the CPU are stopped, in the RUN mode, the CPU and the data input unit operate using the clock signal supplied from the oscillator, and in the SNOOZE mode, the oscillator starts and supplies the clock signal to the data input unit when the data input unit receives first data, and the microcontroller switches to the RUN mode after the data input unit receives second data using the clock signal.