Low Power Microcontroller State Machine Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of sensor chips connected to microcontrollers in IoT devices increases, the average power dissipation of microcontrollers also rises, necessitating a solution to reduce power consumption while still enabling data retrieval and processing.
Innovation Solution
A low power microcontroller with a state machine, power domain controller, and notification system that enables specific power domains only when necessary, allowing the state machine to execute a set of instructions for data import, comparison, and storage without activating the entire processor, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the microcontroller is continuously activated to acquire data from peripheral devices, then data acquisition reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller is segmented into multiple power domains (first power domain for state machine, second power domain for processor, third power domain for storage medium). Only the necessary power domain is activated based on the task requirements, allowing data acquisition without fully activating the entire microcontroller.
Solution Approach 2:
A power domain controller is introduced as an intermediary component to manage the activation of different power domains. It receives notification signals and selectively enables only the necessary power domains, preventing full microcontroller activation and reducing overall power consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more sensor chips are connected to the microcontroller, then sensing capability is improved, but average power dissipation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller architecture is segmented into modular power domains that can be independently controlled. This allows the system to support multiple sensor chips and expanded functionality while only activating the specific power domains needed for each sensing task, thereby managing power dissipation effectively.
3Speed
If the entire processor is activated for data processing, then processing speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor system is divided into separate power domains: a state machine in the first power domain for basic control and data acquisition tasks, and a full processor in the second power domain for complex processing. The state machine can handle simple operations without activating the power-consuming processor, while still providing adequate processing speed for basic functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of always activating the full processor power domain, the system applies partial action by enabling only the state machine power domain when simple data acquisition and processing is sufficient. The full processor is activated only when complex processing is required, optimizing the balance between processing speed and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A low power microcontroller that includes a low power node controller adapted to retrieve data from peripheral devices is presented. The microcontroller contains a state machine coupled to a storage medium, which is adapted to store a set of instructions executable by the state machine. The microcontroller also contains a power domain controller, which is adapted to enable the state machine upon receipt of a notification signal. As an option, the microcontroller contains a plurality of communication controllers for communicating with a plurality of external devices, wherein the power domain controller includes a register which may be read by the state machine to identify a communication controller among the plurality controllers. Also, a method of operating a microcontroller for use with an external device is presented. The method provides a state machine which executes a set of instructions.