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S.N.A.K.E.: A Dynamically Reconfigurable Artificial Sensate Skin ...

S.N.A.K.E.: A Dynamically Reconfigurable Artificial Sensate Skin ...

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So in average, the strain gages consume a total of 30mA when turned on, which is why it<br />

was so important to gate them using the MOSFET. Total power consumption can be then<br />

as low or as high as:<br />

Low 300nA + 2.8µA + 2(700µA) + 4(320µA) + 4nA + 10µ<br />

A + 62µA + 175µA + 100nA = 2.927404mA<br />

High 2.4mA + 2.8µA + 2(700µA) + 4(320µA) + 4nA + 10µ<br />

A + 620µA + 175µA + 3mA + 6mA = 14.887904mA<br />

In actual tests, maximum power consumption of one node with the MCU running at full<br />

speed, all LEDs on at full power, both strain gages on and a laser aimed at the light sensor,<br />

was of 41mA. When everything was turned off however it consumed less than 2mA. If we<br />

now combine this with the possible number of nodes in a <strong>Skin</strong> Patch, we can see that a <strong>Skin</strong><br />

Patch with 40 nodes at full power would consume 1.64A of current, but this case would be<br />

rare. On average each node consumed a total power of less than 9mA in regular operation,<br />

so a total of 40 nodes would consume roughly 360mA.<br />

Still, it is important to note that even though 9mA was the average current consumed,<br />

this is highly dependant on the application being run by the nodes since most of this will<br />

be dissipated by the LEDs. Their total current consumption can be easily brought down<br />

though, since they are driven by timer output pins, which means that they can be pulse-<br />

width modulated.<br />

Another thing to note is that power dissipated by components does not have any measurable<br />

effect in temperature sensor readings. This is mainly because the amplifiers and RGB LED,<br />

which are the most power-hungry elements, are placed so far from it that most of their heat<br />

dissipates to the surrounding air rather than to the substrate. Moreover, Kapton is not a<br />

good heat conductor so it would be extremely rare to see any effects in the temperature<br />

readings caused by heat dissipated from nearby components.<br />

138

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