SoC Battery Life Prediction via Internal Charge Pulse Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for predicting battery life in small, low-cost IoT systems are costly and space-consuming due to the need for external components and discrete measurement resistors, which are not feasible for compact and cost-effective designs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves partitioning the digital circuitry of a System-on-Chip (SoC) into voltage and clock domains, counting charge pulses for each domain, accumulating these pulses, and using an integrated micro-processor for post-processing to predict battery life without external components or discrete resistors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external components and discrete measurement resistors are used for battery life prediction, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery monitoring functionality with the existing SoC by integrating a measurement unit that utilizes the SoC's internal voltage reference and clock signals. This merging eliminates the need for separate external measurement components while maintaining accurate battery life prediction through shared hardware resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement unit is designed to serve multiple functions: it monitors battery voltage, measures current consumption, and predicts battery life using the same hardware infrastructure. The voltage reference and timing mechanisms serve both the SoC's operational needs and the battery monitoring function, reducing overall component count.
2Measurement precision
If external components and discrete measurement resistors are used for battery life prediction, then measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery monitoring functionality with the existing SoC by integrating a measurement unit that utilizes the SoC's internal voltage reference and clock signals. This merging eliminates the need for separate external measurement components while maintaining accurate battery life prediction through shared hardware resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The SoC's internal resources (voltage reference, clock signals, processing units) serve the battery monitoring function without requiring external assistance. The system uses its own existing infrastructure to perform measurements and calculations, eliminating the need for additional discrete components that would increase manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If external components are used for battery monitoring, then all platform contributors are covered, but PCB area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery monitoring functionality with the existing SoC by integrating a measurement unit that utilizes the SoC's internal voltage reference and clock signals. This merging eliminates the need for separate external measurement components while maintaining accurate battery life prediction through shared hardware resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery monitoring measurement unit is nested within the SoC's existing architecture, utilizing internal resources and structures. This nesting approach allows comprehensive monitoring functionality to be embedded within the existing chip footprint without requiring additional external components or increasing PCB area.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention discloses a method for metering power consumption of a digital system-on-chip (SoC) for predicting battery life of a battery used by the SoC. The object to find a possibility to observe and meter the battery life of small, low-cost SoC, especially of IoT systems, which is cheap and compact and space-saving, and which can avoid the need for external components, will be solved by the method comprising the following steps: Partitioning of all digital circuitry of the SoC into voltage and/or clock domains; Metering a power consumption of every domain by counting a charge pulse of each domain every time a gate of said domain has been switched; Accumulating said counted charge pulses of each domain by an accumulator; Calculating an overall sum R of all charges drained from the battery by said domains of the SoC; Post-processing said overall sum R for predicting battery life by an integrated micro-processor; and signaling an imminent battery loss; and an apparatus for performing the method of metering power consumption of a SoC