Method and apparatus for monitoring energy consumption

• US 10,578,656 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2015
• Issued: 03/03/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ambiq Micro, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ambiq Micro, Inc.
• Inventors: Hanson, Scott, Sheafor, Stephen James, Baker, David Cureton
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Paresh
• Application Number:
  US14/918,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20160109494A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,596 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/127 by using pulse modulation G01R21/133 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/133 by using digital technique

Abstract

An energy consumption monitor for use in an electronic system comprising an integrated circuit such as a microcontroller. The monitor comprises a counter adapted to accumulate pulses developed by a charge source, each pulse indicative of the delivery of one unit of charge to a load circuit. A monitoring facility monitors the counter to develop an energy consumption record over time.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring energy consumption by a load comprising:

a pulse generating apparatus adapted to;

develop a plurality of pulses, each of said plurality of pulses delivering a fixed amount of charge to said load;

a counter adapted to;

receive said plurality of said pulses; and

accumulate an accumulated count of said plurality of said pulses; and

a processor adapted to;

read said accumulated count of said plurality of pulses, and

develop a measure of energy delivered to said load as a function of said fixed amount of charge and said accumulated count of said plurality of pulses.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said processor is further characterized as collecting a plurality of said measures developed over a selected period of time;

and analyzing said collected measures to determine a pattern of energy consumption by said load over said selected period of time.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pulse generating apparatus is further characterized as a buck converter.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pulse generating apparatus is further characterized as comprising a voltage converter and a pulse generator.

5. An electronic system comprising an apparatus for measuring energy consumption according to claim 1.

6. An apparatus for measuring energy consumption by a load comprising:

a buck converter apparatus adapted to;

develop a plurality of pulses;

each of said plurality of pulses delivering a fixed amount of charge to said load; and

said load being further characterized as drawing a load current greater than or equal to 100 nano-amperes;

a counter adapted to;

receive said plurality of said pulses; and

accumulate an accumulated count of said plurality of said pulses; and

a processor adapted to;

read said accumulated count of said plurality of pulses, and

develop a measure of energy delivered to said load as a function of said fixed amount of charge and said accumulated count of said plurality of pulses.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said processor is further characterized as collecting a plurality of said measures developed over a selected period of time;

and analyzing said collected measures to determine a pattern of energy consumption by said load over said selected period of time.

8. An electronic system comprising an apparatus for measuring energy consumption according to claim 6.