The Power Value Chain (PVC) – Tiny Electronics in Big Networks
How is it possible end-devices optimizing energy utilization at a scale of 18+ orders of magnitude less than their source have any discernable impact? Put another way, how could a bunch of microwatt things be a risk to utility grid stability and reliability?!? As flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) continue to penetrate mainstream design and enable system integration and packaging technology roadmaps, the focus on this area becomes increasingly important with the number of “things” on the planet. We shall look into some well-known use cases, such as 5G applications, and consider second-order factors commonly overlooked (e.g. – The 5G Energy Gap). One should walk away from this session with a new and/or greatly enhanced appreciation for the need to optimize energy even at the microwatt-level as well as understand that the closer one operates to the edge, the more critical this becomes. The best way for any stakeholder (technical, business, or otherwise) to internalize and assess this impact is to visualize the distribution of energy and characterize consumption by WHERE it is consumed in the process. This can be far more convoluted than appears at first glance, but we shall break it down into manageable chunks and introduce concepts/metrics to help simplify both understanding and analysis. Fundamental to this analysis is the concept of the Power Value Chain (PVC) and the Power Cost Factor (PCF) metric. In providing an overview of this proposed methodology, we shall explore how we can translate ANY black box stakeholder requirements into the “universal currency” of energy and therefore perform otherwise complex analyses across traditionally siloed areas of focus. With this approach, one can go far beyond system design/optimization/impacts and consider every aspect of a product’s embodied energy (i.e. – complete energy implications from cradle-to-grave). Doing so is an essential part of conducting a comprehensive sustainability assessment, beyond just the supply chain and considering everything from manufacturing to end-of-life (i.e. – recycling, waste management).
