Power Controller for Portable Module Data Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods struggle to reduce power consumption in portable systems due to static current and leakage currents, making it difficult to extend battery life effectively.
Innovation Solution
A power consumption controller is introduced that includes a state machine, power control circuit, and data transfer control circuit to interrupt power to operation modules during a power saving mode, backing up data and restoring it when necessary, using bus holding circuits to maintain output data and a scan chain for data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If power is continuously supplied to operation modules to maintain data accessibility, then data access speed is improved, but power consumption increases due to static current and leakage currents
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data backup to external memory before interrupting power supply. The controller detects when a module enters power saving mode, transfers its data to external memory in advance, and then safely interrupts power while preserving data integrity. This preliminary action eliminates the need to maintain continuous power for data retention.
Solution Approach 2:
External memory acts as an intermediary between the operation module and the system during power saving mode. Instead of directly maintaining data in the powered module, the system uses external memory as a temporary storage medium to hold module data when power is interrupted, enabling both power savings and data accessibility.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power is interrupted to reduce static current consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but data accessibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the operation module's data in external memory before interrupting power. This copying mechanism allows the original data to be preserved externally while the module can be powered down, eliminating the trade-off between power consumption and data accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Data backup to external memory is performed as a preliminary action before power interruption. This ensures that when power is cut to reduce consumption, the data remains accessible through the external memory copy, preventing any loss of information.
3Use of energy by moving object
If data is backed up to external memory before power interruption, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions: it manages normal operation, detects power saving mode requests, controls data backup to external memory, and manages power interruption. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex components into a single controller, reducing overall system complexity while achieving power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation module itself participates in the backup process by providing its data to the controller for external storage. The system uses its own resources (controller and external memory) to service the power saving requirement, minimizing the need for additional dedicated components and reducing system complexity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If conventional power saving methods are used to decrease operational currents, then power consumption is reduced, but static current and leakage currents cannot be eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the data from the operation module before interrupting power supply. By removing the data to external memory and then taking out (disconnecting) power from the module, the system eliminates static current and leakage current consumption entirely during power saving mode, rather than just reducing operational currents.
Solution Approach 2:
Data backup is performed as a preliminary action that enables complete power interruption. Once data is safely stored externally, the system can fully interrupt power to eliminate static and leakage currents, going beyond conventional methods that only reduce but cannot eliminate these current types.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable system, method thereof, and a power consumption controller for controlling power consumption in a portable system are described. The portable system may include a storage unit, a module processing data, and a controller regulating power supplied to the module. The controller may regulate the module to perform a backup operation when a power saving mode begins and to interrupt the power after the backup operation is completed.