Wi-Fi Module MCU Wakeup via Dedicated Interrupt Pin
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for waking up a Microcontroller Unit (MCU) chip in intelligent devices with a Wi-Fi module are inefficient, as they rely on interrupt signals via specific pins, which are unsatisfactory for data transmission when the MCU is in a deep sleep state and the Wi-Fi chip is in low power consumption mode.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that detect specific wakeup messages in low power consumption mode and send an interrupt signal via a wakeup pin to wake up the MCU chip, allowing the Wi-Fi chip to switch to a normal working mode, enabling efficient data transmission by broadcasting notification messages and receiving data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the MCU chip is controlled to get into a deep sleep state to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates because the Wi-Fi chip can only receive messages at low speed with small data size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wakeup pin as an intermediary mechanism between the Wi-Fi chip and MCU chip. The Wi-Fi chip can detect wakeup messages and trigger the MCU chip through this intermediate pin connection, allowing the system to maintain low power consumption during sleep while enabling efficient data transmission when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by having the Wi-Fi chip monitor for wakeup messages before the MCU chip needs to be fully active. This allows the system to prepare for data transmission in advance, transitioning from deep sleep to active state only when a wakeup message is detected, thus optimizing both power consumption and data transmission efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If the Wi-Fi chip operates in low power consumption mode to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to receive and send data normally deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation modes for the Wi-Fi chip, allowing it to switch between low power consumption mode and normal operation mode. The chip dynamically adjusts its functionality based on whether a wakeup message is detected, ensuring energy efficiency during idle periods while maintaining full data transmission capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The Wi-Fi chip performs self-service by autonomously monitoring for wakeup messages and triggering the appropriate state transitions without requiring constant MCU chip intervention. This allows the system to maintain reliability for data transmission while minimizing energy consumption, as the Wi-Fi chip independently manages the wake-up process.
3Ease of operation
If the system uses interrupt signals via specific pins to wake up the MCU chip, then the MCU chip can be woken up, but data transmission efficiency remains unsatisfactory when the Wi-Fi chip is in low power consumption mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wake-up function and data transmission function into a unified process. Instead of separate interrupt signal mechanisms, the system combines WiFi message reception with MCU wake-up triggering, allowing the same communication channel to serve both wake-up and data transmission purposes, thereby improving overall data transmission efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention provides a method and a device for waking up a MCU chip, which belongs to an intelligent device technology field. The method includes: receiving (101) a wireless message sent from a second intelligent device when a Wireless Fidelity Wi-Fi chip is under a low power consumption mode, in which the wireless message is dedicated to the low power consumption mode; detecting (102) whether the wireless message is a specific wakeup message; and if it is detected that the wireless message is the specific wakeup message, sending (103) an interrupt signal to the MCU chip via a wakeup pin connected between the Wi-Fi chip and the MCU chip, so as to wake up the MCU chip, in which the MCU chip and the Wi-Fi chip are integrated in the same Wi-Fi module.