Standby Mode Power Consumption Research Articles

Bio‐Voltage Diffusive Memristor from CVD Grown WSe2 as Artificial Nociceptor

AbstractMemristors have emerged as a promising candidate to mimic the human behavior and thus unlocking the potential for bio‐inspired computing advancement. However, these devices operate at a voltages which are still far from the energy‐efficient biological counterpart, which uses an action potential of 50–120 mV to process the information. Here, a diffusive memristor is reported from synthetic WSe2 fabricated in Ag/WSe2/Au vertical device geometry. The devices operate at bio‐voltages of 40–80 mV with Ion/Ioff ratio of 106 and steep switching turn ON and OFF slopes of 0.77 and 0.88 mV per decade, respectively. The power consumption in standby mode and power per set transition are found to be 10 fW and 64 pW, respectively. Further, the diffusive memristors are utilized to emulate the nociceptor, a special receptor for sensory neurons that selectively responds to noxious stimuli. Nociceptor in turn imparts a warning signal to the central nervous system which then triggers the motor response to take precautionary actions to prevent the body from injury. The key features of a nociceptor including “threshold”, “relaxation”, “no‐adaptation” and “sensitization” are demonstrated using artificial nociceptors. These illustrations imply the feasibility of developing low‐power diffusive memristors for bio‐inspired computing, humanoid robots, and electronic skins.

Heterojunction bipolar transistors with a planar‐type extended base as a hydrogen‐sensitive sensor

A hydrogen sensing transistor fabricated by a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) with an extended base (EB) formed by a metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) hydrogen sensor is reported. The power consumption in stand-by mode is smaller than 2 µW. Common-emitter characteristics show that the sensing base (collector) current gains at 25°C in 0.01%, 0.1%, and 1% H2/N2 are as high as 75 (512), 134, (977), and 233 (2.89 × 103), respectively. Low-power consumption and high-sensitive gains are indicative that our HBT together with planar-type MSM sensor is very promising for applications to hydrogen sensing transistors using one voltage source.

Spin–orbit torque based physical unclonable function

This paper introduces the concept of spin–orbit-torque-magnetic random access memory (SOT-MRAM) based physical unclonable function (PUF). The secret of the PUF is stored into a random state of a matrix of perpendicular SOT-MRAMs. Here, we show experimentally and with micromagnetic simulations that this random state is driven by the intrinsic nonlinear dynamics of the free layer of the memory excited by the SOT. In detail, a large enough current drives the magnetization along an in-plane direction. Once the current is removed, the in-plane magnetic state becomes unstable evolving toward one of the two perpendicular stable configurations randomly. In addition, we propose a hybrid CMOS/spintronics model to simulate a PUF realized by an array of 16 × 16 SOT-MRAM cells and evaluate the electrical characteristics. Hardware authentication based on this PUF scheme has several characteristics, such as CMOS-compatibility, non-volatility (no power consumption in standby mode), reconfigurability (the secret can be reprogrammed), and scalability, which can move a step forward the design of spintronic devices for application in security.

Highly Sensitive and Wide Linear-Response Pressure Sensors Featuring Zero Standby Power Consumption under Bending Conditions.

The ability of a flexible pressure sensor to possess zero power consumption in standby mode, high sensitivity, and wide linear-response range is critical in real flexible matrix-based scenes. However, when the conventional flexible pressure sensors are attached on a curved surface, a pseudosignal response is generated because of the normal stress, resulting in a short linear-response range. Here, a flexible piezoresistive pressure sensor with high performance, zero standby power consumption is demonstrated. The flexible pressure sensor is fabricated from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/carbon black (CB), patterned polyimide (PI) spacer layer, and laser-induced graphene (LIG) interdigital electrodes. Benefiting from the hierarchical structure and sufficient roughness of PDMS/CB and LIG interdigital electrodes, the proposed pressure sensors (PDMS/CB/PI/LIG) exhibit high sensitivity (43 kPa-1), large linear-response range (0.4-13.6 kPa), fast response (<40 ms), and long-term cycle stability (>1800 cycles). The resulting pressure sensor also features zero standby power consumption merit under certain bending conditions (bending angle: 0-5o). Furthermore, the effect of the hole diameter of the PI spacer layer on the performance of the pressure sensors is experimentally and theoretically investigated. As a proof of concept, a bioinspired artificial haptic neuron system has been successfully equipped to modulate the number of lit LED lights. The proposed high-performance pressure sensor has promising potential to be used in flexible and wearable electronics, especially for the applications in actual flexible matrix-based scenes.

High-performance zero-standby-power-consumption-under-bending pressure sensors for artificial reflex arc

Abstract The recent advancement of flexible pressure sensors leads to promising applications in electronic skins for human-machine interaction and bionic device for intelligent wearable field. The abilities of such sensors to possess zero power consumption in standby mode, high sensitivity and wide linear response range are critical yet highly desirable in real flexible-matrix-based scenes. Despite the myriad of the existing approaches, it is still challenging to fulfill these requirements simultaneously in a single pressure sensor. Herein, we demonstrate a high-performance, zero-standby-power-consumption flexible pressure sensor by introducing a tunable photoresist spacer (PS) sandwiched between the top truncated-pyramid microstructure polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and the bottom polyimide (PI)/gold (Au) interdigital electrode (PDMS-AZO/PS/PI-Au). The fabricated pressure sensor is equipped with bending-insensitive and zero-power-consumption merit under the bending angle of less than 20.5° benefiting from the insulation effect of PS. As a result, the fabricated sensor exhibits ultrahigh sensitivity of 2200 kPa−1 in the ultrawide linear response range of 62 Pa-9.6 kPa and fast response and recovery time (

Flexible transparent high-voltage diodes for energy management in wearable electronics

This work reports flexible fully transparent high-voltage diodes that feature high rectification ratio (Rr ~ 108) and high breakdown voltage (Vb ~ 150V) simultaneously, combined with their applications as building blocks of energy management systems in wearable electronics where triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are used as power source. Both experimental results and technology computer aided design (TCAD) simulations suggest that Rr and Vb can be modulated by the offset length in an opposite tendency. The low reverse leakage current (~ 10–15A/μm) guarantees an ultra-low power consumption in standby mode, which is a core issue in wearable device applications. Besides the unprecedented electrical performance, the diodes exhibit good mechanical robustness with minimal degradation throughout the strain and fatigue tests. By incorporating these high-voltage diodes into half-wave and full-wave rectifier circuits, the high alternating current (AC) output voltage of TENGs is successfully rectified into direct current (DC) voltage and charged into supercapacitors (SCs), indicating their high integration and compatibility with TENGs, and thus their promising applications in various wearable electronic systems.

Switching System, a Zero Power Standby Solution

This paper describes a novel standby system. The actual power consumption in standby mode is zero Watts. In this standby system the appliance is completely disconnected from it mains supply during standby mode. In addition from saving on electricity costs, it also has the added benefit of preventing hazardous situations whilst in standby mode. This novel standby system will set a new goal for manufacturers of consumer products to achieve.

Reducing Electronic Device Standby Power Using a Remote Wake-Up System [Antenna Applications Corner

In this article, we use a conversion chain to minimize standby-mode power consumption, detailing the different parts of the emitter and the receiver. The proposed technology is based on an efficient radio-frequency (RF) energy transfer and an RF-dc conversion circuit with a self-maintained switch that wakes up an electronic device [e.g., television (TV), home automation systems, etc.], using an integrated emitter and a receiver with performances suitable for home or industrial applications. The developed system works in the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band (2.4-2.48 GHz).

A Novel Sourceline Voltage Compensation Circuit and a Wordline Voltage-Generating System for Embedded &lt;sc&gt;nor&lt;/sc&gt; Flash Memory

Key blocks used for embedded NOR Flash memory are introduced in this brief, including a novel sourceline (SL) voltage compensation circuit and a wordline (WL) voltage-generating system. The SL voltage compensation circuit controls the output voltage of the charge pump according to the number of cells to be programmed with data “0” to compensate the IR drop on the SL decoding path. Thus, a stable SL voltage is obtained and high program efficiency with low program disturb is realized. In order to get low power consumption in standby mode and high speed in active mode, a high-performance WL voltage-generating system has been proposed. A 1.8-V 64 × 32 kb embedded NOR Flash memory employing the two techniques has been developed based on a GSMC 0.18-μm 4-poly 4-metal CMOS process. Average standby current of the embedded Flash memory IP circuit less than 0.3 μA is achieved at 1.8 V and 25 °C.

Automatic Standby Power Management Using Usage Profiling and Prediction

Reducing the standby power used by home appliances is critical in a household energy management system. Although significant effort has been made to minimize the standby power use of appliances, manual operation is still required to eliminate standby power usage. Additionally, the current regulation strategy of standby power typically focuses on real-power consumption, and it does not consider the apparent power and power factors. We propose an automatic standby power reduction system that is based on user-context profiling. Our system profiles and analyzes the occupancy pattern, as well as the appliance usage. The system then actively manages standby power utilization by predicting the probabilities of future appliance usage. We built a prototype smart meter to monitor and control the power lines. We also developed software that implements the proposed scheme. Our experiments, conducted for three to five weeks in four households, show that power consumption in standby mode can be reduced.

Analysis and design of low power SRAM cell using independent gate FinFET

Scaling of bulk MOSFET faces great challenges in nanoscale integration technology by producing short channel effect which leads to increased leakage. FinFET has become the most promising substitute to bulk CMOS technology because of reducing short channel effect. Dual-gate FinFET can be designed either by shorting gates on either side for better performance or both gates can be controlled independently to reduce the leakage and hence power consumption. A six transistor SRAM cell based on independent-gate FinFET technology is described in this paper for simultaneously reducing the active and standby mode power consumption. A work is focused on the independent gate FinFET technology as this mode provides less power consumption, less area consumption and low delay as compared to other modes. Leakage current and power consumption in independent gate FinFET is compared with tied gate or shorted gate FinFET SRAM cell. Moreover, delay has been estimated in presented SRAM cells. Further, leakage reduction technique is applied to independent gate FinFET 6T SRAM cell.

A Low-Voltage Processor for Sensing Applications With Picowatt Standby Mode

Recent progress in ultra-low-power circuit design is creating new opportunities for cubic millimeter computing. Robust low-voltage operation has reduced active mode power consumption considerably, but standby mode power consumption has received relatively little attention from low-voltage designers. In this work, we describe a low-voltage processor called the Phoenix Processor that has been designed at the device, circuit, and architecture levels to minimize standby power. A test chip has been implemented in a carefully selected 0.18 mum process in an area of only 915 times 915 mum2. Measurements show that Phoenix consumes 35.4 pW in standby mode and 226 nW in active mode.

Multi-mode controller IC for soft-switched flyback converter with high efficiency over the entire load range

This paper presents a multi-mode control scheme for a soft-switched flyback converter to achieve high efficiency and excellent load regulation over the entire load range. At heavy load, critical conduction mode with valley switching (CCMVS) is employed to realize soft switching so as to reduce turn-on loss of power switch as well as conducted electromagnetic interference (EMI). At light load, the converter operates in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) with valley switching and adaptive off-time control (AOT) to limit the switching frequency range and maintain load regulation. At extremely light load or in standby mode, burst mode operation is adopted to provide low power consumption through reducing both switching frequency and static power dissipation of the controller. The multi-mode control is implemented by an oscillator whose pulse duration is adjusted by output feedback. An accurate valley switching control circuit guarantees the minimum turn-on voltage drop of power switch. The prototype of the controller IC was fabricated in a 1.5-μm BiCMOS process and applied to a 310 V/20 V, 90 W flyback DC/DC converter circuitry. Experimental results showed that all expected functions were realized successfully. The flyback converter achieved a high efficiency of over 80% from full load down to 2.5 W, with the maximum reaching 88.8%, while the total power consumption in standby mode was about 300 mW.

Voluntary Agreements for Energy Efficiency: Review and Results of European Experiences

During the 1990s there was great attention and debate in the European Union (EU) and in OECD countries outside the EU on the use of voluntary agreements to attain environmental and sustainable energy policy goals. At the time there was a lot of theoretical analysis and discussions on this policy instrument and in particular on its effectiveness and cost efficiency. Before the debate was over, a number of important voluntary agreements to improve energy efficiency or reduce CO2 emissions were implemented in Europe both at national and European levels. These voluntary agreements cover end-use equipment and appliances (e.g. cars, electric motors, residential appliances, etc.), industrial processes, and industrial energy management policies and practices. The paper classifies and analyses the different types of voluntary agreements aiming at improving energy efficiency in Europe, and reviews voluntary agreements and other initiatives of similar nature (voluntary programmes, unilateral commitments, self-regulation) in industrial sectors in a number of Member States of the European Union. The paper also examines some successful European initiatives of voluntary nature, including unilateral agreements for improved energy efficiency of end-use equipment, such as the European agreement on energy consumption of washing machines, and the European agreement on power consumption in standby mode of televisions and video cassette recorders (VCRs). The paper concludes that, if set up under the right institutional framework (as presented and discussed in the paper), voluntary agreements can deliver energy savings in a flexible and cost effective manner and could represent an important instrument for improving energy efficiency and climate change mitigation, in addition and co-ordination with other important policy instruments.