Low-power embedded design techniques can reduce power consumption and cost, extend battery life, increase performance and reduce system noise. Tips and tricks such as turning off unused components, selecting low-power design solutions, optimizing system a
Introduction
Low-power embedded design is the application of specific optimization methods designed to reduce the power consumption of of embedded systems. These measures are typically applied to a wide range of devices, ranging from small handheld devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras and PDAs to larger devices such as notebook computers, digital signage and wireless access points. The goal of low-power embedded design is not just to reduce power consumption and therefore cost, but also to extend battery life, increase the overall performance of the system, and reduce system noise.
Tips and Tricks for Low-Power Embedded Design
The following tips and tricks can help you optimize your embedded design for lower power consumption.
Turn off Unused Components
Unused components should be disabled or turned off when not in use. This is especially true for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other wireless radios, LCD displays and backlit keyboards. Turning off unused components can significantly reduce power consumption and extend battery life.
Choose Low-Power Design Solutions
When choosing components for your embedded system, look for solutions that are designed for low-power operation. This includes selecting components with lower standby current requirements, selecting components that have multiple power modes, and selecting components that use less energy when active.
Optimize the System Architecture
The system architecture can have a significant impact on overall power consumption. When designing the system architecture, consider the total current draw of the entire system, select components that have a low idle current, and design the system to wake up infrequently or enter a low-power sleep state when not in use.
Introduce Power Tuning Techniques
Power tuning refers to the practice of fine-tuning the power supply in order to reduce power consumption without sacrificing performance. This can be accomplished by optimizing the system voltage and frequency, reducing component leakage current, and compensating for temperature variations. Power tuning can provide significant power savings, particularly with high-end embedded systems.
Implement Dynamic Voltage Scaling
Dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) is a power management technique that allows the processor to operate at a lower voltage, thereby reducing power consumption. This can be accomplished by reducing the core voltage while keeping the clock frequency constant or by reducing the clock frequency while keeping the voltage constant.
Use Power Management Protocols
Power management protocols such as the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) can be used to reduce power consumption by allowing the system to enter low-power states when idle. These low-power states can reduce system current draw by up to 95%, allowing for extended battery life and reduced system noise.
Avoid Low Frequency Oscillators and Crystal Oscillators
Low frequency oscillators and crystal oscillators can be significant sources of power consumption in embedded systems. Avoiding these components, or replacing them with energy-efficient alternatives, can help to reduce power consumption.
Use Low-Power Design Tools
Low-power design tools such as power-aware synthesis and simulation, gate-level power analysis, system-level power models and energy-aware debuggers can help to maximize system power savings. These tools can be used to identify power hotspots in the system and analyze the effects of voltage and frequency scaling on overall power consumption.
Conclusion
The various tips and tricks described above can help to optimize your embedded design for lower power consumption. By implementing these techniques, you can improve system performance, reduce system noise, and extend battery life.