Split Sequence Power Management for Edge Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Edge devices face limitations in performance due to low-power operation requirements, leading to performance degradation and issues with load transient characteristics, especially in devices used infrequently, which struggle to respond effectively to voltage fluctuations.

Innovation Solution

A power management device with a split sequence control strategy, featuring a first power domain in sleep mode and a second power domain activated by a wake signal, utilizing an always-on Digital Low-DropOut (DLDO) and main Low-DropOut (LDO) with self-tracking reference filters and digital gain controllers to manage power efficiently and stabilize voltages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If devices operate at low power in all states, then power consumption is reduced, but performance is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidperformance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two power domains: a first power domain that operates continuously at low power and a second power domain that operates at high power only when needed. This segmentation allows the device to maintain low average power consumption while preserving high performance capability when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different power states based on operational requirements. The second power domain is activated only when a wake signal is received, allowing the device to adapt its power consumption and performance levels in real-time rather than operating statically at low power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If devices operate at low power, then battery life is extended, but load transient characteristics are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidload transient characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the power system into two domains with different power levels, the invention enables the first domain to extend battery life through continuous low-power operation while the second domain provides high-power capability to handle load transients and ensure reliable response to voltage fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first power domain operates continuously in advance, maintaining essential functions at low power. When a wake signal is detected, the system has already been prepared and can quickly activate the second power domain to handle transient loads, rather than starting from a completely powered-off state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If devices used only a few times a day operate at low power, then power consumption is minimized, but response to voltage fluctuation is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponse to voltage fluctuation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dual power domain architecture allows the first domain to consume minimal power during infrequent usage while the second domain remains capable of providing robust response to voltage fluctuations when activated by a wake signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically transitions from low-power standby to high-performance operation based on external wake signals, enabling infrequently used devices to maintain both low power consumption during idle periods and reliable voltage fluctuation response when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances the response to temporary voltage fluctuations, optimizes power management, and extends battery life by minimizing power consumption while maintaining performance, especially during main voltage ON times and sleep mode operations.

Implementation Method 1

the first power domain includes an always-on Digital Low-DropOut (DLDO), and the second power domain includes a main Low-DropOut (LDO)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage regulation:

Implementation Method 2

an always-on BGR configured to receive a battery voltage and generate a reference voltage of the always-on DLDO and the main LDO

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBandgap reference voltage generation:

Implementation Method 3

a self-tracking reference filter provided on an output side of the always-on BGR and configured to adjust internal resistance to adjust the reference voltage when a setting time for stable operation of voltages of the always-on DLDO and the main LDO exceeds a threshold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-tracking reference filtering:

Implementation Method 4

split sequence control is performed on power management in the first power domain and the second power domain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSplit sequence control:

Data Source

PatentUS20250106777A1Power management device

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 SKAICHIPS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a power management device including a first power domain operating in a sleep mode consuming minimal power, and a second power domain turned on exclusively when a wake signal is received from an external device within a communication range of the first power domain, wherein the first power domain includes an always-on Digital Low-DropOut (DLDO), and the second power domain includes a main Low-DropOut (LDO), and split sequence control is performed on power management in the first power domain and the second power domain.