Sensor Chip Power Reduction via Dynamic ADC Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigation devices face challenges in reducing power consumption during operation, as existing methods primarily focus on sleep modes and do not effectively minimize power usage during active use.
Innovation Solution
The navigation device adjusts the conversion resolution of the analog to digital converter and exposure time of the image sensor based on image quality, reducing the bit length of digital data processed by the processor to decrease total power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the conversion resolution of the ADC is increased to improve image quality, then the measurement precision is improved, but the bit length of digital data increases causing higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conversion resolution adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the ADC conversion resolution based on real-time image quality assessment, selecting higher resolution only when necessary to maintain measurement precision while reducing resolution (and power consumption) when high precision is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the conversion resolution parameter of the ADC based on image quality conditions. When image quality exceeds a threshold, the system reduces the conversion resolution to decrease bit length and power consumption. When image quality is insufficient, the system increases resolution to maintain measurement precision, thus adapting the parameter to optimal conditions.
2Measurement precision
If the exposure time of the image sensor is increased to improve image quality, then the measurement precision is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the exposure time adjustable based on real-time image quality assessment. The system dynamically modifies exposure time duration to achieve optimal image quality while minimizing power consumption, rather than using a fixed exposure time setting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the exposure time parameter according to image quality conditions. When image quality is sufficient, the system reduces exposure time to decrease power consumption. When image quality is insufficient, the system increases exposure time to improve measurement precision, thus optimizing the parameter based on actual conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the bit length of digital data is reduced to decrease power consumption, then the use of energy is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the conversion resolution parameter to control bit length based on actual image quality requirements. The system adjusts this parameter dynamically to find the optimal balance point where power consumption is minimized while measurement precision remains sufficient for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously assessing image quality and using this information to adjust the conversion resolution. The system measures image quality, compares it against thresholds, and feeds this information back to control the ADC resolution setting, ensuring bit length is reduced only when image quality conditions permit.
4Measurement precision
If the gain of the analog amplifier is increased to improve signal quality, then the measurement precision is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the amplifier gain adjustable based on real-time signal quality assessment. The system dynamically modifies the gain level to achieve sufficient signal quality while minimizing power consumption, rather than operating at a fixed high gain setting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the gain parameter of the analog amplifier according to signal quality conditions. When signal quality is sufficient, the system reduces gain to decrease power consumption. When signal quality is insufficient, the system increases gain to improve measurement precision, thus optimizing the parameter based on actual conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a navigation device including an image sensor, an analog to digital converter and a processor. The image sensor is used to output an analog image using an exposure time. The analog to digital converter is used to convert the analog image to a digital image using a resolution. The processor is used to identify an image quality of the digital image, and adjust at least one of the exposure time of the image sensor and the resolution of the analog to digital converter according to the image quality thereby adjusting the operation power by changing data length actually processed by the processor.