SoC Power Management Unit for Low-Power Wireless Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless communication systems face challenges in providing low cost and low power capabilities as they are integrated into smaller devices, which require extended battery life and reduced size, while existing designs struggle to meet these demands effectively.

Innovation Solution

A System-on-Chip (SoC) module with a DC-to-DC converter, regulators, a real-time clock, and a management unit implementing a state machine to control power distribution and manage power states, reducing power consumption by selectively powering and resetting circuit blocks based on application-specific power profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If conventional radio circuit designs are used in small devices, then wireless communication functionality is achieved, but power consumption is too high and device lifetime is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice lifetimeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The radio circuit is divided into multiple independent functional blocks (digital section, radio section, transmit path, receive path) that can be independently powered. The power management unit selectively activates only the necessary blocks based on operational requirements, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining device functionality throughout its intended lifetime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power management system dynamically adjusts the power state of different circuit blocks based on real-time operational needs. The state machine transitions blocks between active and powered-off states, optimizing the balance between power consumption and device lifetime by activating components only when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If wireless communication capabilities are embedded into smaller devices, then device size is reduced, but conventional radio circuit designs struggle to provide low power capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the power management unit directly into the system-on-chip architecture, merging power control functionality with the radio circuit blocks. This consolidation enables fine-grained power management within the compact device, reducing power consumption without increasing device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Different functional blocks within the radio circuit are assigned different power states based on their specific operational requirements. The power management unit applies localized power control to each block (digital section, radio section, transmit path, receive path), ensuring that only necessary components consume power, thereby reducing overall power consumption in the compact device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If digital circuits and radio front end components are integrated into SoC to address size restrictions, then device footprint is reduced, but power management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice footprintVSAvoidpower management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power management unit operates autonomously using a state machine that automatically transitions circuit blocks between active and powered-off states based on operational conditions. This self-managing approach simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating the need for external complex power management controllers, reducing power management complexity while maintaining compact SoC integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution enables efficient power management, reducing overall power consumption and extending battery life in low-power wireless communication devices by optimizing power states and minimizing leakage, thus addressing the need for low cost and long-lasting wireless communication systems.

Implementation Method 1

a DC-to-DC converter coupled with the battery and configured to convert a battery voltage to a first DC voltage level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

at least one regulator coupled with the DC-to-DC converter and configured to covert the first DC voltage level to a second DC voltage level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage regulation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20230214001A1Systems and methods for power management in low power communication device and system

Publication Date: 2023.07.06 UBILITE INC

AI summary

A radio module, comprises a battery; and a radio circuit, the radio circuit comprising: a DC-to-DC converter coupled with the batters and configured to convert a battery voltage to a first DC voltage level; at least one regulator coupled with the DC-to-DC converter and configured to covert the first DC voltage level to a second DC voltage level; at least one circuit block coupled with the at least one regulator such that the second DC voltage level is configured to provide power to the at least one circuit block; a real time clock configured to provide a clock signal to the at least one circuit block.