Resonant Signal Sensing Circuit Low Power Mode Timer Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metering systems face challenges in efficiently measuring resource usage while minimizing power consumption, particularly in scenarios where frequent measurements are not constantly required, leading to potential inefficiencies in energy usage and prolonged operation in high power modes.
Innovation Solution
A metering circuit with a sensor circuit and a timer circuit that operates in low power mode for extended periods, using a wake-up mechanism to transition to a higher power mode only when necessary to capture measurements, thereby reducing overall power consumption and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor circuit operates continuously in high power mode to capture measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor circuit alternates between sleep mode and active measurement mode based on periodic timer signals. The controller enables the sensor circuit only at specific intervals when measurements are required, rather than maintaining continuous operation. This periodic activation allows the system to achieve necessary measurement precision while dramatically reducing average power consumption by keeping the sensor circuit in a low-power state for most of the time.
2Productivity
If the controller remains in high power mode to process measurements continuously, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller transitions between sleep mode and active mode in response to timer circuit signals. During sleep mode, the controller consumes minimal power. When the timer circuit generates a measurement trigger signal, the controller wakes up, enables the sensor circuit, captures the measurement, processes the data, and then returns to sleep mode. This periodic operation pattern maintains full measurement processing capability when needed while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor circuit is kept enabled to capture resource usage, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor circuit is enabled only during periodic measurement intervals triggered by the timer circuit. Between these intervals, the sensor circuit remains disabled to conserve energy. The timer circuit generates periodic trigger signals that wake the controller and enable the sensor circuit just long enough to capture resource usage measurements, then the circuit returns to sleep mode. This approach maintains accurate resource usage detection capability while minimizing energy loss by keeping the sensor circuit inactive for the majority of operational time.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a sensor circuit to receive a varying signal at an input of the apparatus. The sensor circuit provides a sensor signal corresponding to a measurement of the varying signal. The apparatus further includes a timer circuit to generate a signal at various intervals of a plurality of intervals and a controller coupled to the sensor circuit. The controller has a first power mode and a second power mode, where the first power mode has a lower power consumption than the second power mode. The controller enters the second power mode in response to the signal from the timer circuit. The controller enables the sensor circuit, captures a plurality of measurements of the varying signal, and returns to the first power mode.