Feature: Sustainable Solutions
How integrated on/off controllers contribute to energy efficient system designs
By Bryan Angelo Borres, product applications engineer, and Noel Tenorio, product applications manager, both with Analog Devices
T
he pandemic has expedited the adoption of hybrid setups that rely heavily on online resources, making the use of electronic
systems a necessity. Aside from this, the importance of electronic system efficiency has grown even more significant alongside electronics companies’ ongoing sustainability efforts due to the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainability Agenda. Tis emphasises the need for solutions that promote energy efficiency not just during field operation but also during production.
Pushing Energy Efficiency Efforts with On/Off Controllers Efficient resource utilisation is crucial for achieving sustainability goals. Tis can be achieved in a variety of ways. One simple approach is to turn off electronic devices when not in use to avoid unnecessary energy consumption. Another effective method is to incorporate efficient and reliable designs through the implementation of power saving mechanisms. On/off controllers serve as an excellent
way to reach these goals, particularly those that can function as battery freshness seals. Tese controllers disconnect the entire circuit from the battery when not in use, helping to extend the battery life and conserve energy. Tis not only prolongs the product’s
shelf life but also reduces unwanted battery discharge by minimising standby power consumption and, thus, energy wastage.
32 October 2024
www.electronicsworld.co.uk Figure 1. Battery freshness seal in GPS tracker system Te following sections will discuss how
such controllers help contribute to saving energy through the mode of operation, integrated features, and robustness.
Reducing Energy Wastage Through Standby Mode and Sleep Mode A common issue encountered with consumer electronics is the need to charge or replace the battery before using an off-the-shelf product due to low battery levels. Tis shows inefficient use of energy resources and, at the same time, diminishes user experience. To address this problem, efficient
battery-powered devices incorporate low power loss circuitry or use battery freshness seals. Battery freshness seals are features of on/off controllers that prevent
battery discharge by disconnecting the battery from downstream circuitry until a circuit-enabling signal, such as from a push-button, is applied, as seen in Figure 1. Tis circuit operation is commonly referred to as ship mode or standby mode, where standby mode is a more general term and ship mode is the term used specifically for the period prior to a product’s initial use. However, with the use of battery
freshness seals, battery charge drainage may still occur, affecting system efficiency. The extent of this drainage depends on the standby power consumption of the circuit. Using components with minimum power consumption may solve this problem. For instance, push-button controllers with battery freshness seals, such as the new
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