Chapter 15 Low-Power Techniques: Build Better Energy-Saving Systems

Note: This chapter is a corrected and improved reprint of the column “The darker side: Low power techniques,” Circuit Cellar, no. 213, April 2008.

Simple calculations can generate impressive figures, especially when calculating energy waste. According to Wikipedia, our worldwide energy consumption is around 15 tera-watt in 2007, which is 15,000,000,000,000 watt. Considering that there are around 6.5 billion people on earth, this is an astonishing number. If we assume that everyone is using the same amount of power, including developing countries, this translates to an average of 2300 W per person. Think about it: The average four-person family (worldwide) uses nearly 10 kW, ...

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