Wireless Device Scan State Saving and Restoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless devices face challenges in reducing the size and power consumption of non-volatile memory elements used for saving and restoring state information during low-power states, leading to potential loss of state information due to limited storage capacity.

Innovation Solution

The method involves storing state information in non-persistent registers during an active power state and routing it through a boundary scan chain using test signals to a non-volatile memory like SRAM when the device enters a low-power state. This method allows for the preservation of operational state and efficient power management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-volatile retention registers are used to preserve state information during low-power state, then state information can be preserved, but the circuit area and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestate information preservationVSAvoidcircuit area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the state information storage function into two segments: volatile registers for active state storage and non-volatile retention registers for low-power state preservation. This segmentation allows the system to use only the necessary non-volatile memory capacity rather than requiring full non-volatile retention for all state information, thereby reducing circuit area while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by using non-volatile retention registers for only the most critical state information that must be preserved during low-power state, rather than preserving all state information. This selective approach reduces the required non-volatile memory capacity and circuit area while still maintaining system reliability for essential functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If non-volatile retention registers are used to preserve state information during low-power state, then state information can be preserved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestate information preservationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments power consumption into active state (high consumption) and low-power state (reduced consumption). By using non-volatile retention registers only for critical state information and allowing other state information to be lost during low-power state, the system reduces the power consumption associated with maintaining non-volatile memory while preserving reliability for essential functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by preserving only the most critical state information in non-volatile retention registers during low-power state, rather than preserving all state information. This selective preservation reduces the power consumption of non-volatile memory operations while maintaining system reliability for essential operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If non-volatile retention registers are used to preserve state information, then some state information can be saved, but the size and cost limit the amount of information that can be stored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestate information preservationVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments state information into critical and non-critical categories. Critical state information is stored in non-volatile retention registers to ensure preservation during low-power state, while non-critical state information is allowed to be lost. This segmentation enables the system to work within the size and cost constraints of non-volatile memory while maintaining reliability for essential functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by storing only the most critical state information in non-volatile retention registers, accepting that some non-critical state information will be lost during low-power state. This approach enables the system to preserve essential reliability while working within the limited storage capacity imposed by size and cost constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12306249B2Saving and restoring scan states

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 ATMOSIC TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A wireless device that can save and restore state information is disclosed. The wireless device stores state information in non-persistent registers during an active power state, routes the state information from the non-persistent registers to a non-volatile memory, via a boundary scan chain using one or more test signals, based on an indication that the wireless device is to enter a low-power state, and enters the low-power state after the state information is stored in the non-volatile memory. The wireless device may remove power from the processor, the non-persistent registers, the non-volatile memory, and one or more other portions of the wireless device during the low-power state. The wireless device may return to the active power state after a period of time and restore the state information to the non-persistent registers upon returning to the active power state.