Power-Aware Converter Control for Variable Input Signal Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional integrated circuits designed for maximum input conditions waste power and increase noise levels when dealing with small input signals, affecting performance and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A power-aware method and system that coarsely quantizes input signals to determine the appropriate number of power-consuming modules to turn on, using a successive approximation method to minimize power consumption while maintaining normal operation across varying input sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the internal circuit is designed according to the maximum input to drive the input under all conditions, then the circuit can operate normally in the most severe situation, but serious waste of power consumption will be caused when the input signal is small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the circuit configuration adjustable rather than fixed. The internal circuit can dynamically reconfigure its structure based on the input signal amplitude, transitioning between different operational modes (full-precision mode for large signals, low-power mode for small signals). This dynamic adaptability allows the circuit to maintain reliability across all input conditions while optimizing power consumption for each specific scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key circuit parameters (such as switching between different capacitor arrays, amplifier configurations, or quantization bits) based on the input signal characteristics. When the input signal is small, the circuit parameters are adjusted to reduce power consumption (e.g., disabling certain capacitors, reducing driving current). When the input signal is large, the parameters are adjusted to ensure adequate drive capability and accuracy.
2Reliability
If the internal circuit is designed according to the maximum input to drive the input under all conditions, then the circuit can operate normally in the most severe situation, but it will bring an increase in noise level due to the excessive design of the driving current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic reconfiguration to adjust the driving current level according to the input signal amplitude. For small input signals, the circuit switches to a low-current mode that generates minimal noise. For large input signals, the circuit switches to a high-current mode that provides sufficient driving capability. This dynamic adjustment ensures that noise is minimized while maintaining the ability to handle severe input conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving current parameter based on input signal detection. When the input signal is small, the driving current is reduced to a level sufficient for accurate processing without excessive noise generation. When the input signal is large, the driving current is increased to ensure proper signal processing. This parameter adaptation directly addresses the noise issue by avoiding excessive current for small signals.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all power-consuming modules are turned on to handle maximum input signals, then the circuit can process all input conditions, but power consumption increases unnecessarily for small input signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power-consuming modules into multiple groups or stages that can be independently controlled. Instead of treating all modules as a single unit, the circuit divides them into subsets (e.g., different capacitor banks, amplifier stages, or quantization units) that can be selectively activated. This segmentation enables granular power management where only the necessary subset of modules is turned on based on the input signal amplitude.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by activating only the necessary portion of power-consuming modules rather than all modules. For small input signals, only a subset of modules required for processing small signals is activated. For large input signals, additional modules are activated to handle the increased signal amplitude. This partial activation approach maintains full adaptability while significantly reducing power consumption for small signals.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a power-aware method, a power-aware system and a converter. The power-aware method includes: receiving an input signal, wherein the input signal is a capacitive type, a resistive type, a voltage type or a current type, coarsely quantizing the input signal and outputting a numerical control code, the numerical control code indicating size information of the input signals, and turning on a corresponding number of power-consuming modules based on the numerical control code. By the power-aware method, the power-aware technical effect of a circuit may be provided and turned-on power-consuming modules always have the most suitable number regardless of the size of the input signals, which may ensure normal operation, and will not waste power consumption due to too many power-consuming modules and energy efficiency is improved as a whole.