{"id":3359,"date":"2012-07-09T09:11:03","date_gmt":"2012-07-09T08:11:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.mentor.com\/colinwalls\/?p=3359"},"modified":"2026-03-26T16:38:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T20:38:09","slug":"a-more-powerful-phone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/embedded-software\/2012\/07\/09\/a-more-powerful-phone\/","title":{"rendered":"A more powerful phone"},"content":{"rendered":"

The subject of power in embedded systems just does not seem to go away – like my postings here<\/a> and here<\/a>. And I do not see the situation changing any time soon. If it is not design consideration for your current project, I promise that it will be on your agenda before long.<\/p>\n

As smart phones become increasingly ubiquitous, it seems worthwhile considering how concerns about power have influenced their design …<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>At a recent conference [ESC<\/a> in San Jose, CA], one of my colleagues gave a presentation which covered a number of the key issues in low power design. Do email<\/a> me if you want a copy of his slides. He used the mobile phone handset as an example – specifically he considered what an iPhone might be like if no low power design techniques had been applied. There would be 2 obvious changes: first, the phone would be a whole lot bigger and heavier, if only to accommodate a much larger battery; second, it would get very warm and might even need a cooling fan! I borrowed this mock up picture from the presentation [thanks Adam]. Imagine having this monster in your pocket.<\/p>\n

This is all very fanciful, but much closer to the real world than you might think. Here is a real conversation [only paraphrased a bit]:<\/p>\n

“Hey guys – I got a new phone.”<\/p>\n

“What’s it like?”<\/p>\n

“It’s just like an iPhone, but much cheaper and even better.”<\/p>\n

“Better?”<\/p>\n

“Yes. It can take two SIM cards, so I can use the phone for both business and personal calls. No more carrying two phones.”<\/p>\n

“Cool. Where did you get it?”<\/p>\n

“On eBay. It came from China.”<\/p>\n

“Sounds good. Any downsides?”<\/p>\n

“Well … it is a bit power hungry.”<\/p>\n

“How bad? What’s the battery life?”<\/p>\n

“About three hours.”<\/p>\n

“$%&&@!!!”<\/p>\n

“But it’s OK. They supply two additional batteries. It’s really great.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I think this happy customer gets my “Geek of the Week” award.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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