Oscillator Timing Compensation for Low-Power Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices face challenges in achieving stable and robust timing characteristics during sleep mode while minimizing power consumption, as continuous operation of power management units and oscillators leads to increased current consumption in periodic devices, and event-driven operation in non-periodic devices requires additional circuitry for self-awakening.
Innovation Solution
A low power operation method utilizing a power management unit (PMU) coordinated with a high-frequency oscillator (HOSC) to transfer its timing robustness to a low-frequency oscillator (LOSC), allowing the apparatus to maintain stable and robust periods during sleep mode by modifying the timing length of a timer, even when the HOSC and PMU are closed, thereby achieving low power consumption similar to non-periodic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the PMU and HOSC continue to operate during sleep mode to maintain stable timing characteristics, then timing stability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent calculates and stores a compensation value during the active state before entering sleep mode. This pre-calculated value compensates for the frequency deviation of the LOSC, allowing the timer to maintain accurate timing without requiring the HOSC and PMU to remain active during sleep mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a compensation value as an intermediary that transfers the timing accuracy from the HOSC to the LOSC. This compensation value is used to adjust the timer's counting, enabling the lower-power LOSC to achieve the timing stability normally provided by the HOSC.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the PMU and HOSC are turned off during sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but timing stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation value is calculated in advance during the active state, capturing the frequency characteristics of the LOSC before it drifts. This pre-computed value enables the timer to maintain accurate timing even though the HOSC is turned off, eliminating the need to keep the HOSC running during sleep mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the timing accuracy characteristic from the HOSC by calculating the compensation value based on the frequency ratio between HOSC and LOSC. This copied timing characteristic is then applied to the timer using the LOSC, allowing the system to maintain HOSC-level timing stability while operating the lower-power LOSC during sleep mode.
3Use of energy by moving object
If event-driven operation mode is used to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but additional circuitry for self-awakening is required
Solution Approach 1:
The timer is configured to automatically wake up the system when its counting value reaches zero. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external wake-up triggers or additional wake-up circuitry, allowing the system to enter and exit sleep mode autonomously based on timing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A low power operation method provides an apparatus with a data transmission rate. A power management unit (PMU), which is not influenced by voltage, process, and temperature, biases a high frequency oscillator (HOSC) and makes the HOSC generate a steady and high precision clock. The clock of the HOSC is used to modify a timing length of a timer which is referenced by a low frequency oscillator (LOSC) without PMU. At last, through the modified timing length, the apparatus achieves high precision periods and data transmissions with compensation for voltage, process, and temperature. Thus, the data transmission cycles of the apparatus maintain stable and robust even if the apparatus applies duty cycle usage of the HOSC and the PMU for reducing power consumption with actions of turning on and turning off. Consequently, the periodic apparatus maintains data transmission rate with the low power consumption advantage of non-periodic apparatus.