Microcontroller Standby Wake-Up Logic for Low Residual Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcontroller standby mechanisms fail to minimize residual consumption during standby periods due to the need for continuous power supply monitoring, which leads to unpredictable wake-up states and increased energy usage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a power management unit with a module that intercepts and delays external wake-up signals, combining them with supply voltage information, and using a simple logic function to manage power supply restarts, allowing the power monitoring block to be switched off during standby, reducing consumption by keeping only the logic block and module active.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the power supply monitoring block remains active during standby to detect restarts, then the microcontroller can reliably detect wake-up events, but the residual consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management unit is divided into two independent functional blocks: a simple logic block that remains active during standby to detect wake-up events, and a power supply monitoring block that is deactivated during standby. This segmentation allows the system to maintain wake-up detection capability while eliminating unnecessary power consumption from the monitoring block.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply monitoring function is extracted from the continuous operation requirement and implemented only when needed. The monitoring block is deactivated during standby and reactivated only during wake-up transitions, separating the monitoring function from the always-on requirement.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the power supply monitoring block is switched off during standby to reduce consumption, then residual consumption decreases, but the wake-up state becomes unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The wake-up detection function is separated from the power supply monitoring function. The logic block handles wake-up event detection and state management independently, ensuring predictable wake-up behavior even when the monitoring block is deactivated.
Solution Approach 2:
The logic block autonomously manages the wake-up process by detecting external wake-up signals and independently controlling the reactivation of the power supply monitoring block, eliminating the need for the monitoring block to remain continuously active.
3Reliability
If continuous power supply monitoring is implemented, then the microcontroller can detect all power-related events, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management unit is segmented into a simple logic block for wake-up detection and a separate power supply monitoring block. This segmentation reduces the complexity of the always-on circuitry while maintaining comprehensive power event detection capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply monitoring block operates periodically rather than continuously - it is activated during wake-up transitions and deactivated during standby periods. This periodic operation reduces circuit complexity and power consumption while maintaining detection capability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4C
AI summary
The invention relates to a microcontroller comprising: a core; a core power management unit, comprising at least one input for receiving an external signal for exiting a standby mode; and a module (3) intercepting said external signal and transmitting it with delay to said management unit.