Method and apparatus for optimizing self-power consumption of an electronic device

Abstract

A device and method are disclosed for optimizing self-power consumption. The device may sense one or more operating conditions of the device. The device may further select one or more operating parameters associated with at least one of the one or more operating conditions. The device may also estimate a power consumption associated with executing an algorithm to generate at least one updated value for at least one of the one or more operating parameters as well as estimate a power savings associated with operating using the updated value. The device may compare the estimated power consumption to the estimated power savings and determine whether to execute the algorithm based on the comparing.

1 . A method of an electronic device, the method comprising:
 reading, from a memory, one or more operating parameters of a configuration for the electronic device;   sensing, via one or more sensors, one or more operating factors of the electronic device;   selecting a relatively less complex calculation level or a relatively more complex calculative level;   calculating, using the selected calculation level, a value of an operating parameter of the one or more operating parameters;   evaluating an interval at which the value of the operating parameter is calculated; and   updating the interval based on the evaluating.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the calculating at the relatively less complex calculation level uses relatively less energy compared to the relatively more complex calculation level. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising evaluating a tradeoff of an improvement in overall operation of the electronic device using the calculated operating parameter versus a cost associated with performing the calculating. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the evaluating a tradeoff determines whether the electronic device is either more power efficient calculating the value of the operating parameter and operating the electronic device using the value of the operating parameter or the electronic device is more power efficient foregoing the calculating and operating the electronic device using a preexisting value of the operating parameter. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the updating the interval includes reducing a duration in time of the interval. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the updating the interval includes increasing a duration in time of the interval. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one operating parameter of the one or more operating parameters includes a timing of a switch for converting input energy to output energy. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a power converter. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one operating factor of the one or more operating factors includes a power conversion efficiency, a harmonics level, a temperature, an output voltage, a stored energy level, an inductance-based energy storage level, a storage capacitor voltage, a start-up energy storage level, an output ripple level, a voltage across a load, a current draw of the load, a rate of discharge of a storage capacitor, a voltage level of an input power source, a current level of the input power source, a frequency of the input power source, a rate of change or slope of the input power source, a resonant frequency of an LLC converter, a change in the resonant frequency of the LLC converter, a temperature of the LLC converter, a present position along an input alternating current waveform, a fluctuation profile of a power consumption of the load, a power factor, information or one or more commands provided by the load or a user, an over-voltage condition of an input of the electronic device, an over-voltage condition of an output of the electronic device, an over-current condition of the input of the electronic device, an over-current condition of the output of the electronic device, one or more characteristics of a mechanical noise, one or more characteristics of a vibration, a noise profile of the input power source, or an electromagnetic interference level. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selecting a relatively less complex calculation level or a relatively more complex calculative level is based on a battery level. 
     
     
         11 . An electronic device comprising:
 a memory configured to store one or more operating parameters of a configuration for the electronic device;   one or more sensors configured to sense one or more operating factors of the electronic device;   and a processor configured to:
 select a relatively less complex calculation level or a relatively more complex calculative level; 
 calculate, using the selected calculation level, a value of an operating parameter of the one or more operating parameters; 
 evaluate an interval at which the value of the operating parameter is calculated; and 
 update the interval based on the evaluation of the interval. 
   
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein a calculation at the relatively less complex calculation level uses relatively less energy compared to the relatively more complex calculation level. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 evaluate a tradeoff of an improvement in overall operation of the electronic device using the calculated operating parameter versus a cost associated with performing the calculation.   
     
     
         14 . The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine whether the electronic device is either more power efficient calculating the value of the operating parameter and operating the electronic device using the value of the operating parameter or the electronic device is more power efficient foregoing the calculating and operating the electronic device using a preexisting value of the operating parameter.   
     
     
         15 . The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 reduce a duration in time of the interval.   
     
     
         16 . The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 increase a duration in time of the interval.   
     
     
         17 . The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein at least one operating parameter of the one or more operating parameters includes a timing of a switch for converting input energy to output energy. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic device is a power converter. 
     
     
         19 . The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein at least one operating factor of the one or more operating factors includes a power conversion efficiency, a harmonics level, a temperature, an output voltage, a stored energy level, an inductance-based energy storage level, a storage capacitor voltage, a start-up energy storage level, an output ripple level, a voltage across a load, a current draw of the load, a rate of discharge of a storage capacitor, a voltage level of an input power source, a current level of the input power source, a frequency of the input power source, a rate of change or slope of the input power source, a resonant frequency of an LLC converter, a change in the resonant frequency of the LLC converter, a temperature of the LLC converter, a present position along an input alternating current waveform, a fluctuation profile of a power consumption of the load, a power factor, information or one or more commands provided by the load or a user, an over-voltage condition of an input of the electronic device, an over-voltage condition of an output of the electronic device, an over-current condition of the input of the electronic device, an over-current condition of the output of the electronic device, one or more characteristics of a mechanical noise, one or more characteristics of a vibration, a noise profile of the input power source, or an electromagnetic interference level. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 select the relatively less complex calculation level or the relatively more complex calculative level based on a battery level.