Microprocessor Power Mode Control via Register Bit Fields

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microprocessor units with limited power mode scenarios face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and real-time interrupt handling, as they rely on software approaches that increase overhead and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A hardware-supported power mode control system using registers with bit fields that directly control or point to power modes for functional or peripheral blocks, allowing for a wide variety of power modes and reducing software overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a software approach is used to control power modes, then flexibility and variety of power mode scenarios can be achieved, but power consumption and execution overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower mode scenariosVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces software-based power mode control with a hardware-supported control mechanism. Bit fields in status registers directly control power modes of functional and peripheral blocks through hardware logic, eliminating the need for software execution. This substitution of software control with hardware control reduces power consumption while maintaining flexibility, as the hardware can respond immediately to interrupt events and control events without the overhead of software interpretation and execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal power mode control system where bit fields in status registers can control multiple different power mode scenarios across various functional blocks and peripheral modules. The same control mechanism handles diverse power management needs through a unified hardware architecture, allowing a single system to adapt to many different operating conditions without requiring separate software routines for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a software approach is used to control power modes, then power mode modifications can be implemented, but execution speed and real-time interrupt handling are negatively impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower mode controlVSAvoidexecution speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces software-based power mode control with a hardware-supported control mechanism. Bit fields in status registers directly control power modes of functional and peripheral blocks through hardware logic, eliminating the need for software execution. This substitution of software control with hardware control reduces power consumption while maintaining flexibility, as the hardware can respond immediately to interrupt events and control events without the overhead of software interpretation and execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If dedicated instructions are used for power mode control, then power mode switching can be achieved, but the number of possible power mode scenarios is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower mode switchingVSAvoidpower mode scenarios

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control mechanism into multiple bit fields within status registers, where each bit field can independently control power modes of different functional blocks or peripheral modules. This segmentation allows for fine-grained control, where individual bits or groups of bits can be set or cleared to enable or disable specific power modes in specific blocks, creating a vast number of possible power mode combinations from a limited number of control bits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the control capability by adding multiple bit fields across several status registers, transforming the control space from a single-dimension instruction set to a multi-dimensional register space. This allows power mode control to be embedded within the existing register architecture, utilizing the full width and depth of available status registers to encode numerous power mode scenarios without requiring additional dedicated instructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9092206B2Microprocessor unit capable of multiple power modes having a register with direct control bits and register pointer bits for indirect control

Publication Date: 2015.07.28 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A power mode control system for microprocessors offers an unlimited variety of hardware-supported power modes that may satisfy any operating scenario. The microprocessor unit comprises a register that contains particular bit fields for defining selectable power modes. The particular bit fields in the register define pointers to a power mode defining register. Each pointer selects a corresponding bit field in the power mode defining register. The bits in the bit fields of the power mode defining register either directly control a power mode of at least one functional or peripheral blocks of the unit; or they are pointers to a further power mode defining register and the bits in the bit fields of the further power mode defining register directly control a power mode of at least one functional or peripheral blocks of the unit.