Sensor Controller Energy Efficiency via Smart Data Acquisition Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sensor hub architectures in portable computing devices are inefficient in terms of energy consumption, as they often operate at higher frequencies for data acquisition, which is not ideal for both battery life and handling complex workloads, and switching to lower frequencies for energy efficiency may hinder future workload capabilities.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Smart Data Acquisition Controller (SDAC) logic that offloads sensor data acquisition tasks and performs coarse motion detection, allowing the processor core and SRAM to enter a low power state during data acquisition, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining performance for future workloads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the processor core operates at higher frequencies for data acquisition, then data acquisition performance is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata acquisition performanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sensor data processing workload by introducing a dedicated sensor hub that handles data acquisition and preliminary processing separately from the main application processor. This allows the main processor to operate at lower frequencies or enter sleep modes while the sensor hub continuously acquires and pre-processes sensor data, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining data acquisition performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor hub acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the main application processor. It receives raw sensor data, performs initial filtering and processing, and only transmits processed or relevant data to the main processor. This intermediary layer reduces the processing burden on the main processor, enabling it to operate at lower power states while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the processor core operates at lower frequencies to reduce power consumption, then battery life is extended, but data acquisition capability is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata acquisition capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments processing tasks between the sensor hub and main processor. The sensor hub operates continuously at lower power to handle data acquisition and basic processing, while the main processor remains in low-power states. This segmentation ensures data acquisition capability is maintained without requiring the main processor to operate at high frequencies continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor hub performs self-service by autonomously acquiring sensor data, performing preliminary processing, and managing data transmission without requiring continuous intervention from the main processor. This self-service capability allows the main processor to remain in low-power states while data acquisition continues uninterrupted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If more functionality is integrated into portable computing devices, then device capabilities are enhanced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice capabilitiesVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments device functionality by isolating sensor data processing in a dedicated sensor hub that operates independently from the main processor. This allows enhanced sensor capabilities to be integrated without proportionally increasing main processor power consumption, as the sensor hub handles the computationally intensive data acquisition tasks at lower power levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor hub serves as an intermediary that enables enhanced device capabilities by processing sensor data locally before transmitting results to the main processor. This intermediary architecture allows sophisticated sensor functionality to be integrated while maintaining lower overall power consumption, as the main processor only needs to handle processed data rather than raw sensor streams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9665155B2Techniques for increasing energy efficiency of sensor controllers that receive data from one or more sensors

Publication Date: 2017.05.30 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Methods and apparatus relating to increasing energy efficiency of sensor controllers are described. In an embodiment, logic (e.g., within a sensor controller) performs one or more tasks corresponding to acquisition of data from one or more sensors. The logic performs the one or more tasks to allow a processor core of the sensor controller to enter (or stay in) a low power consumption state during performance of the one or more data acquisition tasks. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.