Method and apparatus for monitoring energy consumption
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.
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 .