Power Integrated Circuit Timer Adjuster for Microcomputer Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication systems where nodes automatically switch to sleep mode upon detecting a master station's prolonged inactivity, there is a risk that the power supply to the microcomputer is stopped before it completes its shutdown process, potentially leading to incomplete shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control apparatus equipped with a microcomputer, a power integrated circuit, and a timer adjuster ensures that power supply to the microcomputer is maintained until the shutdown process is completed by resetting the timer when data flow resumes and stopping the supply only when the shutdown is fully finished.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the node automatically switches to sleep mode upon detecting that the master station stops communication for a predetermined continuous time period, then power consumption is reduced, but the power supply may be stopped before the microcomputer completes its shutdown process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting communication stoppage and initiating the shutdown process before actually cutting power. The power supply is maintained during the shutdown period to ensure the microcomputer can complete its shutdown routines, and only after this period elapses is the power actually cut. This preliminary detection and staged power reduction ensures reliable shutdown while achieving power savings.
2Loss of energy
If the power supply is stopped immediately when communication stops for a predetermined time, then power consumption is reduced, but the shutdown process may be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects communication stoppage in advance and initiates a controlled shutdown sequence. Rather than immediately cutting power, it maintains power supply during a predetermined shutdown period to allow the microcomputer to complete its shutdown process stable and orderly, then cuts power only after this period expires. This preliminary detection and staged approach preserves system state integrity while achieving power savings.
3Reliability
If the node remains in active mode to ensure complete shutdown process, then shutdown reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of communication stoppage and initiates a controlled shutdown sequence. Power is maintained during a predetermined shutdown period to ensure the microcomputer completes its shutdown process, then cut to achieve power savings. This staged approach ensures shutdown reliability is improved without unnecessarily increasing power consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by maintaining power supply during a specific predetermined shutdown period after detecting communication stoppage, then cutting power after this period expires. This time-based periodic control ensures the microcomputer has sufficient time to complete shutdown routines while ultimately achieving power savings, balancing reliability and energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic control apparatus as one of nodes connected to a communication line includes a microcomputer, a power integrated circuit for controlling power supply to the microcomputer, and a timer adjuster. The power integrated circuit has a timer for measuring a time period during which no data flows through a communication line. The timer is reset, when no data flows through the communication line and then data flows through the communication line. The power integrated circuit starts power supply to the microcomputer, when data flows through the communication line. The power integrated circuit stops the power supply when the timer reaches a threshold value. The timer adjuster prevents the timer from reaching the threshold value until the microcomputer completes a shutdown process.