Low Power Design #2: Visualizing Power Consumption - A Dynamic Solution for Analyzing Embedded System Efficiency

Introduction:

In the world of electronics and embedded systems, monitoring the power consumption of various modules is crucial for optimizing performance and ensuring energy efficiency. Whether you're working on a complex project with multiple components or just curious about how each module contributes to the overall power budget, having a clear and interactive way to visualize this data can be immensely helpful.

In this blog post, we'll explore a dynamic and user-friendly solution for tracking and visualizing the power consumption of different modules in real-time. Using a simple web-based interface, you can enter data for each module, including its name, current draw, and operating voltage. With this information, you'll be able to generate a pie chart that not only displays the power consumption but also shows the percentage contribution of each module to the total power usage.

For mobile users: To ensure the best experience and full functionality, please switch to the desktop site option in your browser. This will allow you to view and interact with the chart and input fields as intended.

Dive in to see how this tool can enhance your understanding of power consumption and help you make informed decisions about your electronic designs. Let’s get started!

Steps to Use This Power Consumption and Battery Life Calculator:

1. Enter the Current Draw for Each Module(PowerConverters/USB Brigde IC/WIFI module, etc) for a Mode(Deep Sleep/Light Sleep/Active, etc):
   • Start by entering the current consumption (µA) and voltage (V) for each of your Module.
   • For each mode, input the corresponding current and voltage values in the provided fields.
   • Click the "Add Modules" button to add as many modules as you want.
   • Click the "Calculate & Plot" button to generate a pie chart that displays the power consumption for each Module in watts (mW) and it's percentage contribution.
2. Note Down the Power Consumption:
   • After generating the pie chart, note down the power consumption values displayed for each mode. These numbers will be used in the next step to calculate how long your battery will last.
3. Enter the Number of Modes:
   • Once you have the power consumption values for all modes, enter the total number of modes in your device (e.g., 3 for Deep Sleep, Light Sleep, and Active) into the "Number of Modes" field.
4. Input the Battery Capacity and Voltage:
   • Enter the battery’s capacity (in milliampere-hours, mAh) and the battery voltage (in volts, V) in the respective fields.
   • The battery capacity and voltage are crucial for accurately calculating how long your battery will last based on your device's power consumption.
5. Calculate Battery Life:
   • After entering all the necessary values, click the "Calculate Battery Life" button. The calculator will then display the estimated number of days your battery will last.
6. Review the Results:
   • The calculator will show you the total power consumption and the expected battery life in days. Use this information to optimize your device's power usage and battery life.

Power Consumption Chart

Module: I: V:

Enter the number of operation modes:

Capacity (mAh): Voltage (V):

Daily Energy Consumption per Mode

Understanding milliampere-hours (mAh)

Definition: Measures the battery's capacity in terms of how much current it can supply over time.
Unit: Indicates the total charge a battery can deliver at a specific current.
Formula: Capacity (mAh) = Current (mA) × Time (hours)

Understanding Watt-hours (Wh)

Definition: Measures the total energy a battery can store and deliver, considering both current and voltage.
Unit: Indicates the energy capacity, calculated as the product of capacity and voltage.
Formula: Energy (Wh) = Capacity (Ah) × Voltage (V)
or
Energy (Wh) = (Capacity (mAh) × Voltage (V)) / 1000