On-Chip Sensor Hub Co-Processor Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile device sensor hubs face challenges in reducing cost and power consumption while effectively managing and processing data from multiple sensors.

Innovation Solution

An on-chip sensor hub is integrated with a co-processor and main processor on a single chip, utilizing an inter-process communication interface, distributed volatile memory, and power management techniques like clock gating and low-voltage operation to reduce power consumption and enhance data management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a separate sensor hub chip is used to manage multiple sensors, then sensor data management capability is improved, but device cost and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor data management capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensor hub functionality with the main processor by integrating a co-processor directly into the main processor chip. This consolidation eliminates the need for a separate sensor hub chip, reducing both device cost and power consumption while maintaining the capability to manage multiple sensors efficiently through the integrated co-processor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If a separate sensor hub chip is used to manage multiple sensors, then sensor data management capability is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor data management capabilityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Speed

If the co-processor operates at full performance, then sensor data processing speed is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor data processing speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic operation modes for the co-processor that adapt to workload requirements. The co-processor can switch between high-performance mode for demanding sensor data processing tasks and low-power mode for lighter tasks, optimizing the balance between processing speed and power consumption based on real-time needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Use of energy by moving object

If clock gating is applied to the co-processor, then power consumption is reduced, but processing responsiveness may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidprocessing responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic clock gating that strategically suspends clock signals to the co-processor during idle periods while maintaining operational clocks during active sensor data processing. This periodic activation ensures power savings during low-activity periods while maintaining processing responsiveness when sensor data requires immediate handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3106997B1On-chip sensor hub, and mobile device and multi-sensor management method therefor

Publication Date: 2018.06.06 VIA ALLIANCE SEMICON CO LTD

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AI summary

An on-chip sensor hub fabricated on a chip with a main processor of a mobile device, and the mobile device, and a method for multi-sensor management on the mobile device. An on-chip sensor hub includes a co-processor and uses an interprocess communication interface. The co-processor and main processor of the mobile device are fabricated on the same chip and communicate with each other via the interprocess communication interface. The co-processor controls a plurality of sensors in the mobile device in accordance with requests issued from the main processor. The co-processor further collects and manages sensor data from the sensors to be processed by the main processor.