Power Source Controller Segmentation for Standby Power Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In standby mode, power consumption is high due to the need to maintain power supply to memory when the CPU is off, which increases energy usage and reduces battery life in personal computers.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a power source controller that turns off its own power in standby mode, using a separate power supply unit, such as a GPIO expander or latch circuit, to maintain memory power, reducing overall system power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the power source controller is kept on to supply power to the memory in standby mode, then the memory can maintain its power supply, but the power consumption of the EC increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power source controller is divided into two independent power source systems: a first power source system that remains active to supply power to the memory, and a second power source system that can be turned off to reduce EC power consumption. This segmentation allows selective power management of different functional blocks within the EC.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the power source controller are assigned different power supply states: the first power source system operates continuously to maintain memory power supply, while the second power source system is turned off during standby mode. This local quality differentiation enables precise power control at specific functional blocks.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the EC is turned off in standby mode, then power consumption is reduced, but the memory cannot be supplied with power
Solution Approach 1:
The power source controller is segmented into two independent power source systems, allowing the first power source system to remain active and supply power to the memory even when the second power source system is turned off, thus maintaining memory power supply while reducing overall EC power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The first power source system acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the turned-off second power source system and the memory, ensuring continuous power supply to the memory independently of the main EC power state.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a separate power supply unit is introduced to supply power to the memory, then the power source controller can be turned off, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first power source system and the second power source system are merged within a single power source controller device, sharing common control logic and infrastructure while maintaining independent power delivery paths. This reduces overall device complexity compared to completely separate power supply units.
Solution Approach 2:
The power source controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the main system controller (second power source system) and as a dedicated memory power supply controller (first power source system). This universal design eliminates the need for completely separate dedicated power supply units.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an information processing apparatus including a processor configured to control a system of the information processing apparatus, a power source controller configured to perform control of power supply to the system and to turn off a power source of the power source controller in standby mode in which a power source of the processor is turned off, a memory configured to store information in standby mode, and a power supply unit configured to perform power supply to the memory in standby mode.