Importance

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Abstract

Power consumption in medical and battery powered devices is reduced through the use and operation of multiple digital signal processing systems and through the application of different supply voltages to analog and digital circuits, respectively. Each processor of the multiple systems performs at least one particular function in a predetermined time period. The multiple digital signal processors of such systems can be operated at lower clock frequencies relative to those that would be required by one of such processors to complete the multiple functions within the predetermined time period. With reduced clock frequency, power consumption is reduced. Further, with reduced clock speed, supply voltages applied to such digital signal processors may also be reduced. A source applies a first fixed supply voltage to the digital circuits of the medical or battery powered device and a voltage generation circuit (e.g., a charge pump circuit) having the first fixed supply voltage applied thereto is used for generating a second fixed supply voltage to be applied to analog circuits of the device. Power consumption may also be reduced through the operation of circuits at clock speeds of lower levels to adequately complete desired functions during predetermined time periods (e.g., blanking interval, upper rate interval, etc.) just-in-time prior to subsequent required functional processes; by providing supply voltages tailored for various circuits of an integrated circuit; by operating two or more circuits of an integrated circuit at different clock frequencies; by changing the supply voltage level 'on the fly' as required by specific circuit timing functions required for various circuitry based on clock frequencies used to control operation of such circuitry; and/or by tailoring back gate bias or adjusting back gate bias 'on the fly' for circuits based on the supply voltage level applied to the circuits.

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First Claim