Multi-Domain Microcontroller Circuit for Sleep-Mode Power Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-controller circuits face challenges in dynamically managing power consumption when the central processing unit enters a sleep mode, as they cannot adjust operating voltage and frequency effectively.
Innovation Solution
A micro-controller circuit design with multiple power domains, including a management circuit that adjusts power consumption by generating event trigger signals, reading a look-up table, and providing management signals to function circuits to optimize voltage and frequency, even when the core power domain is powered-off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the CPU enters a sleep mode to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to dynamically adjust operating voltage and frequency is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a core power domain (CPU) and a non-core power domain (function circuits), allowing independent power management. The function circuits can operate autonomously in the non-core domain even when the CPU is in sleep mode, maintaining dynamic adjustment capabilities without requiring the CPU to remain active.
Solution Approach 2:
The function circuits are equipped with autonomous power management capabilities, including event trigger signal generation and look-up table-based control, allowing them to self-adjust their operating parameters without CPU intervention. This enables the non-core domain to manage itself independently when the CPU is sleeping.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the CPU remains active to dynamically adjust voltage and frequency, then adaptability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management functionality is segmented between the CPU (core domain) and autonomous function circuits (non-core domain). This allows the CPU to enter low-power sleep mode while the function circuits continue to provide dynamic voltage and frequency adjustment capabilities in their own domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The function circuits act as intermediaries between the sleeping CPU and the power adjustment mechanism. They receive event trigger signals, consult look-up tables, and autonomously generate control signals to adjust driving signals, thereby maintaining adaptability without requiring continuous CPU involvement.
3Use of energy by moving object
If function circuits operate autonomously when the core power domain is powered-off, then power efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The look-up tables are pre-configured with optimal operating parameters for various conditions. This preliminary preparation allows the function circuits to make immediate autonomous decisions based on event trigger signals without complex real-time calculations, reducing the complexity of the autonomous control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses discrete parameter sets stored in look-up tables rather than continuous real-time optimization. By changing operating parameters from dynamically calculated values to pre-defined discrete sets, the complexity of autonomous control is significantly reduced while maintaining effective power management.
Data Source
AI summary
A micro-controller circuit including a central processing unit (CPU), a plurality of function circuits, a management circuit, and a driving circuit is provided. The CPU is in a first power domain. The function circuits are in a second power domain. In response to the first power domain being powered-off, the function circuits operate normally to generate an event trigger signal. The management circuit reads a look-up table to provide at least one management signal in response to the first power domain being powered-off and the event trigger signal is enabled. The driving circuit adjusts at least one driving signal according to the management signal and provides the driving signal to at least one of the function circuits.