Using an embedded controller with fuzzy logic to reduce power consumption of mobile computers

This research enhances the previous control method by utilizing an embedded controller (EC) to create a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) to reduce the power consumption of a notebook or netbook and to lengthen the battery life. Our control methods are all written in assembly language, so that there is no need to rely on any high-level application program for the FLC. Thus our design has greater efficiency and accelerates the pace of operations. We add a CPU throttle function in connection with the FLC to control the clock frequency of the CPU. This design reduces power consumption and lengthens battery life. The low-power embedded controller in a notebook is a device to assist the onboard power management system which consists of the cooling fan, the keyboard, the LCD backlight brightness and the battery recharging functions. By using the fuzzy control rule as a replacement of the default method, the fan speed becomes variable so as to maintain a certain range of temperature of the mobile computer. The LCD backlight brightness is adjusted and based on the keystroke frequency or the touchpad controlled by the FLC of our design.