Microcontroller Power Domain Management for Low Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microcontroller systems face challenges in reducing power consumption, as they require switching off clocks to peripherals, leading to reduced functionality and higher power modes, especially in ultra-low power modes where analog modules dominate current consumption.
Innovation Solution
A microcontroller system organized into power domains with a power manager that dynamically changes power configurations based on module requests and triggers, allowing for flexible power management without CPU intervention, using overlapping triggers and clock requests to reduce complexity and consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If clocks to peripheral modules are switched off to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but functionality of the device is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller system is divided into multiple power domains, each independently controllable. This allows selective power management where only specific domains are powered down when not needed, while other domains remain active to maintain device functionality. The power manager independently controls each domain based on module activity, resolving the contradiction between power reduction and functionality preservation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If all clocks and analog modules are switched off to achieve ultra-low power modes, then power consumption is minimized, but peripheral functionality becomes unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system dynamically adjusts power domain states based on real-time module activity. Modules can assert triggers or keepers to dynamically power up or maintain power domains as needed. This dynamic approach allows the system to transition between power-saving and functional states on-demand, rather than being locked into fixed power modes.
3Extent of automation
If power configuration changes require CPU intervention, then power management control is centralized, but power consumption and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power manager operates autonomously to manage power domains without requiring CPU intervention. Modules can directly assert triggers or keepers to the power manager, enabling self-service power management. This eliminates the need for CPU involvement in power state transitions, reducing both power consumption and latency while maintaining automated control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If power domains are organized with independent control, then power management flexibility increases, but hardware complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power domain control functions are merged into a single integrated power manager. The power manager consolidates trigger handling, keeper management, and power state control for all domains in one unit. This merging approach provides flexible independent control of each domain while avoiding the complexity of separate control circuits for each domain, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A microcontroller system is organized into power domains. A power manager of the microcontroller system can change the power configuration of a power domain based on whether the microcontroller system has asserted a power trigger for any module in the power domain or if any module in the power domain has asserted a power keeper.