An ultra low-power body sensor network control processor with centralized node control

Abstract

A body sensor network (BSN) system needs ultra-low power consumption to provide a user-friendly small form-factor. This paper presents the dual-mode system architecture to manage 254 nodes in the BSN with low-power consumption. Its 'instantaneous program execution with external program counter' scheme prohibits unnecessary RISC operation and wakes up the RISC from its turn-off state just in 3-clock cycles, the same as reset sequence. The 'TCAM-based periodic event generator' manages 254 periods of each network node with low energy consumption. The implemented test chip consumes 24.2pW average power for 254 nodes management and 4.2-MIPS performance.