Oryx Board - Ultra Low-Power Reference Design for mobile applications

Arrow Electronics and Sharp are to present for the first time a reference design for extreme power-saving, mobile applications at the Design & Electronics Developer Forum “Ultra Low Power” on 5th October. Even in full operating mode, the Oryx Board has an input power of only 26 mW*.

Hamburg / Dreieich, 06 October 2011 –Regardless of whether it is portable testing or measuring devices in the medical or industrial sector, sport and fitness computers, mobile POS input terminals, toys or remote controls, users expect a usage life to last as long as possible between the inevitable battery change or charging cycle. For all the different applications, such portable devices have similar basic functions: a display as indication module, sensors to retrieve measurements, CPU, RTC, memories and input interface often as touch input. In order to be able to design mobile devices that save as much power as possible, with the Oryx Board Arrow Electronics has developed an Ultra Low-Power Reference Design that includes all functionalities and at the same time only requires around 8.57 mA* even when in full operating mode.

The Oryx Board is based on low-power components by Sharp, NXP, Analogue Devices and Linear Technology. The main power consumer is not, as in the case of many other designs, the display. Thanks to the Memory LCD Technology by Sharp, the 1.35 inch display of LS013B4DN04 model only requires 4 µA, particularly contributing to reduce the overall power input of the Oryx Board to such a low level.

The main power consumer is the NXP Low-Power Processor of LPC11U14 MCU model, which, with a clock rate of its M0 kernel at 50 MHz, requires 8 mA. The temperature sensors are in next place, also by NXP (I2C active type) with a maximum input of 300 µA and RTC at 200 µA.

Yet, in normal operating mode, the system power input is reduced to around 2.37 mA* mainly by reducing the processor frequency to 12 MHz. However the stand-by consumption is crucial to the battery life and consequently the operational readiness of mobile devices. In this respect the Oryx Board has proved to be a true power-saving performer. In the sleep mode with only basic functions of the CPU active and with the display switched off, the whole system only requires 366 µA*. The Deep Power Down Mode considerably reduces power input once again to a level of only 2.27 µA*.

In order to awaken from the deep sleep, the reference design contains an acceleration sensor that signals to the CPU to start operating as soon as the device is moved. This feature is useful for the development of TV or audio equipment remote controls that are left lying on tables unused for long periods of time. Only when these remotes are picked up do they switch to operating mode.

In this state the system can in theory also be recharged by solar cells under synthetic light.

The low-power input of the Oryx Boards of maximal 8.57 mA shows that, in theory, portable devices such as testing and measuring devices in the medical and industrial sectors, sport and fitness computers, mobile POS input terminals, toys or remote controls can be developed as energy self-sufficient systems. High-performance mini solar panels, such as those offered by Sharp, supply power of up to 390 mW in sunlight and even a good 1 mW in indoor lighting. Enough to charge in Deep Power Down Mode a lithium ion battery or a super capacitor which supplies the application in operation, thus guaranteeing continuous readiness for the application to be used – all without changing the batteries or using an external charger.

*) Theoretical value based on manufacturer's specifications

Key components of the Oryx Boards

• NXP CPU: Model LPC11U14 MCU, Cortex-M0, 8 mA for 50 MHz, 2 mA for 12 MHz, 0.22 µA Deep Power Down Mode
• Sharp Memory LCD: Model LS013B4DN04, 1, 35 inch diagonal, 4 µA with up-date Rate of 1 Hz, 2 µA for static image.
• Analogue Devices: Accelerator sensor: Model ADXL345, power input 100 nA stand-by
• NXP: Temperature sensor Model I2C active, power input max. 300 µA, typ. 100 µA, 0.2 µA stand-by
• Micron Technology: SPI-NOR Flash Memory, 4 Mbit, power input 20 µA stand-by, 1.5 µA Deep Power Down
• NXP: PCF8885 Multichannel Touch, power input active 10 µA, 0.1 µA Sleep Mode
• Linear Technologies: Shunt Charger Type LTC4071, power input 0,55 µA, deep discharge protection – disconnect at < 0,1 nA

Availability

The Oryx Board is available from November 2011 onwards exclusively from Arrow Electronics. All components integrated in the reference design are also available at Arrow Electronics.

Inquiries ORYX Board

Arrow Electronics:
Phone: +49 (0) 6103-304-0
Email: oryx@arroweurope.com
Web: www.arroweurope.com/oryx

About Arrow Electronics

Arrow Electronics (www.arrow.com) is a global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions. Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Arrow serves as a supply channel partner for over 1,200 suppliers and 115,000 original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers and commercial customers through a global network of more than 340 locations in 52 countries.

About Sharp Microelectronics Europe

Sharp Microelectronics Europe, Hamburg, Germany, is a divisional company of Sharp Electronics (Europe) GmbH, which is a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. Sharp is a worldwide developer of core digital technologies shaping the next generation of electronic applications and products. With a portfolio of more than 2,000 components in the ranges of TFT LCDs in screen sizes up to 108 inches, high brightness white and colour LEDs, optoelectronics, CCD and CMOS camera sensors, photovoltaic components, RF-, IC- und LSI-components as well as advanced packaging and integration skills Sharp Microelectronics Europe offers groundbreaking solutions in particular for applications in automotive electronics, mobile / communications technology, industrial automation, TV- and consumer electronics, e-signage and LED based lighting technology. Sharp is dedicated to the improvement of people’s lives and environmental protection through the use of advanced technologies. Technology and product development at Sharp is strongly determined by innovation, quality, usability and saving of resources.  

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responsible:

Sharp Microelectronics Europe

Ralf Schäfer

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20097 Hamburg

Phone: +49 (040)/2376-2487

Fax: +49 (0)40/2376-15-2487

E-mail: press.sme@sharp.eu