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Roy Ben Hayun
Roy Ben Hayun
Associate III
November 10, 2020
Question

tradeoff between low-power and features\performance

  • November 10, 2020
  • 5 replies
  • 1293 views

Wondering what are example cases where low-power STM models should be preferred, and what would be the trafe-off in terms of features and performance.

To help me better understand by using specific case, would be happy if I could get 2-3 examples, clear and concrete, demonstrating how a low-power STM vs a standard STM were compared i.e., removing a feature, making a performance decision per a specific case, etc.

Thanks!

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5 replies

Pavel A.
Pavel A.
November 10, 2020

Seriously? You've never seen a battery-powered device that should last for a certain time?

-- pa

Nikita91
Nikita91
Lead II
November 10, 2020

Some trade-off:

Low power => low frequencies. In ST datasheet the consumption is uA / MHz!

Low power => use much more software to use sleep modes, switch core/peripheral frequencies, use backup SRAM, configure unused GPIO, etc

Low energy requires special skills.

Roy Ben Hayun
Roy Ben HayunAuthor
Associate III
November 10, 2020

thanks. the "low frequencies" hinted to more search and found this discussion: https://www.researchgate.net/post/What-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-running-a-microcontroller-at-low-and-high-frequency

could you please clarify more about the backup SRAM? is there any impact related memory e.g., Flash?

Nikita91
Nikita91
Lead II
November 11, 2020

About backup memory:

When the MCU goes to deep sleep (aka standby), the memory (SRAM, FLASH) is unpowered and the SRAM content is lost.

But the application can put some data in a small low power SRAM powered by the VBAT pin : the backup SRAM. So on wakeup the application can recover its context.

Roy Ben Hayun
Roy Ben HayunAuthor
Associate III
November 12, 2020

Thanks Nikita. Very clear and helpful.

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