Microsequencer Timing Control for Low-Power Packet Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional real-time embedded systems face challenges in minimizing power consumption due to the use of high frequency oscillators and microprocessors, which increase power consumption and require precise timing, while also needing to reduce the number of component activations to minimize energy usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a low power oscillator with lower frequency in combination with high resolution timing information, and utilizing a microsequencer to perform timing-critical tasks instead of a microprocessor, allowing for precise event triggering and reduced power consumption by activating components only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high frequency oscillators are used to maintain precise timing, then timing precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timing function is segmented between a low-power oscillator that runs continuously and a high-resolution timer that is activated only when precise timing is needed. This allows the system to maintain timing precision without keeping high-power components active continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-resolution timer is activated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The system switches between low-power mode (using the low-frequency oscillator) and high-precision mode (activating the high-resolution timer) based on timing requirements, reducing average power consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If microprocessors are used to perform timing-critical tasks, then functionality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Timing-critical functions are extracted from the microprocessor and implemented in dedicated hardware (separate timer module). This allows the microprocessor to remain in low-power sleep mode while the dedicated timer handles precise timing operations, reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated timer module acts as an intermediary between the low-power oscillator and the microprocessor. It performs timing-critical tasks autonomously and only interrupts the microprocessor when timing events occur, allowing the microprocessor to sleep between interruptions.
3Speed
If components are activated frequently to maintain system responsiveness, then system responsiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the dedicated timer with timing parameters before entering sleep mode. This allows the timer to autonomously handle timing events without requiring frequent microprocessor activation, maintaining responsiveness while conserving energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The dedicated timer module serves itself by autonomously generating timing events and interrupting the microprocessor only when necessary. This self-service capability eliminates the need for frequent microprocessor polling or activation, reducing energy consumption while maintaining system responsiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device includes a network interface circuit, a microprocessor, a timing circuit, and a microsequencer. The timing circuit is configured to, based on a primary timing signal, generate a time signature and switch the network device from an inactive state to an active state when the time signature satisfies a predetermined threshold length of time for packet transmission. The microsequencer circuit is configured to, in response to the network device being switched to the active state, activate and configure the network interface circuit for the packet transmission, independent of the microprocessor and delays encountered by the microprocessor. The device also reduces energy consumption by using a lower frequency secondary oscillator to maintain timing information when a higher frequency primary oscillator is inactivated.