Sensor IC Power Management via Periodic ADC and LED Driver Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with both electronic circuitry and optical functionality face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption, particularly in features like ambient light sensing and proximity detection, which often result in high power dissipation due to continuous operation of sensors and LED drivers.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a sensor IC with an integrated analog-to-digital converter, LED driver, and power management unit that operates at a low duty cycle, allowing the system to run in sleep mode most of the time and activating only when necessary for ambient light sensing or proximity detection, thereby reducing power dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors and LED drivers operate continuously to provide ambient light sensing and proximity detection functionality, then the device can maintain ready responsiveness to user needs, but power dissipation increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by placing the sensor IC in sleep mode during intervals when sensing is not required, and activating it only when ambient light sensing or proximity detection is needed. The power management unit controls the ADC and LED driver to operate intermittently rather than continuously, reducing power dissipation while maintaining functionality when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the operational state of the sensor IC changeable between sleep mode and active sensing modes. The power management unit dynamically adjusts the duty cycle of the ADC and LED driver based on system requirements, transitioning components between active and inactive states to optimize power consumption while maintaining sensing capability.
2Ease of operation
If the sensor IC operates in active mode continuously, then ambient light sensing and proximity detection are always available, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management unit implements periodic action by enabling the ADC and LED driver only during specific time intervals when sensing is required, rather than maintaining continuous operation. This allows the sensor IC to alternate between active and sleep states, reducing overall power consumption while ensuring sensing functionality is available when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the duty cycle of the ADC and LED driver operation. The power management unit adjusts operational parameters such as conversion timing and LED activation duration to minimize power consumption while maintaining adequate sensing performance for ambient light and proximity detection.
3Measurement precision
If the ADC and LED driver run at high duty cycle, then sensing accuracy and response time are improved, but power dissipation of the sensor IC increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by conducting ADC conversions and LED driver operation only during specific time windows when sensing data is required, rather than maintaining continuous high-duty-cycle operation. This intermittent operation reduces power dissipation while maintaining measurement precision during active sensing intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing ADC conversions and LED activation only for the minimum necessary duration to obtain required sensing data, rather than maintaining excessive or continuous operation. This approach achieves adequate measurement precision with reduced power consumption by limiting active operation to essential time periods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining the functionality of ambient light sensing and proximity detection, optimizing power management to minimize overall system power usage.
Implementation Method 1
The IC includes a photodetector that senses incident light
Implementation Method 2
The IC includes a light emitting diode (LED)
Data Source
AI summary
In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor integrated circuit (IC) that is adapted for ambient light sensing (ALS) and/or proximity detection. The sensor integrated circuit (IC) includes an integrated analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that is adapted to convert at least one signal related to ambient light sensing (ALS) and/or proximity detection to at least one digital signal, and an integrated light emitting diode (LED) driver that is adapted to drive at least one LED. The sensor IC also includes an integrated power management unit (PMU) that is adapted to reduce power dissipation of the sensor IC by running at a low duty cycle the integrated LED driver and the integrated ADC.