feat: lower CPU freq on idle, add HalPowerManager (#852)

## Summary

Continue my experiment from
https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader/pull/801

This PR add the ability to lower the CPU frequency on extended idle
period (currently set to 3 seconds). By default, the esp32c3 CPU is set
to 160MHz, and now on idle, we can reduce it to just 10MHz.

Note that while this functionality is already provided by [esp power
management](https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/v4.3/esp32c3/api-reference/system/power_management.html),
the current Arduino build lacks of this, and enabling it is just too
complicated (not worth the effort compared to this PR)

Update: more info in
https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader/pull/852#issuecomment-3904562827

## Testing

Pre-condition for each test case: the battery is charged to 100%, and is
left plugged in after fully charged for an extra 1 hour.

The table below shows how much battery is **used** for a given duration:

| case / duration | 6 hrs | 12 hrs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `delay(10)` | 26% | 48% |
| `delay(50)`, PR
https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader/pull/801 | 20% |
Not tested |
| `delay(50)` + low CPU freq (This PR) | Not tested | 25% |
| `delay(10)` + low CPU freq (1) | Not tested | Not tested |

(1) I decided not to test this case because it may not make sense. The
problem is that CPU frequency vs power consumption do not follow a
linear relationship, see
[this](https://www.arrow.com/en/research-and-events/articles/esp32-power-consumption-can-be-reduced-with-sleep-modes)
as an example. So, tight loop (10ms) + lower CPU freq significantly
impact battery life, because the active CPU time is now much higher
compared to the wall time.

**So in conclusion, this PR improves ~150% to ~200% battery use time per
charge.**

The projected battery life is now: ~36-48 hrs of reading time (normal
reading, no wifi)

---

### AI Usage

While CrossPoint doesn't have restrictions on AI tools in contributing,
please be transparent about their usage as it
helps set the right context for reviewers.

Did you use AI tools to help write this code? **NO**
This commit is contained in:
Xuan-Son Nguyen
2026-02-18 15:12:29 +01:00
committed by GitHub
parent 9125a7ce68
commit 6ec5fc5603
9 changed files with 170 additions and 32 deletions

View File

@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
#include <HalGPIO.h>
#include <SPI.h>
#include <esp_sleep.h>
void HalGPIO::begin() {
inputMgr.begin();
SPI.begin(EPD_SCLK, SPI_MISO, EPD_MOSI, EPD_CS);
pinMode(BAT_GPIO0, INPUT);
pinMode(UART0_RXD, INPUT);
}
@@ -23,23 +21,6 @@ bool HalGPIO::wasAnyReleased() const { return inputMgr.wasAnyReleased(); }
unsigned long HalGPIO::getHeldTime() const { return inputMgr.getHeldTime(); }
void HalGPIO::startDeepSleep() {
// Ensure that the power button has been released to avoid immediately turning back on if you're holding it
while (inputMgr.isPressed(BTN_POWER)) {
delay(50);
inputMgr.update();
}
// Arm the wakeup trigger *after* the button is released
esp_deep_sleep_enable_gpio_wakeup(1ULL << InputManager::POWER_BUTTON_PIN, ESP_GPIO_WAKEUP_GPIO_LOW);
// Enter Deep Sleep
esp_deep_sleep_start();
}
int HalGPIO::getBatteryPercentage() const {
static const BatteryMonitor battery = BatteryMonitor(BAT_GPIO0);
return battery.readPercentage();
}
bool HalGPIO::isUsbConnected() const {
// U0RXD/GPIO20 reads HIGH when USB is connected
return digitalRead(UART0_RXD) == HIGH;

View File

@@ -38,12 +38,6 @@ class HalGPIO {
bool wasAnyReleased() const;
unsigned long getHeldTime() const;
// Setup wake up GPIO and enter deep sleep
void startDeepSleep();
// Get battery percentage (range 0-100)
int getBatteryPercentage() const;
// Check if USB is connected
bool isUsbConnected() const;

View File

@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
#include "HalPowerManager.h"
#include <Logging.h>
#include <WiFi.h>
#include <esp_sleep.h>
#include <cassert>
#include "HalGPIO.h"
HalPowerManager powerManager; // Singleton instance
void HalPowerManager::begin() {
pinMode(BAT_GPIO0, INPUT);
normalFreq = getCpuFrequencyMhz();
modeMutex = xSemaphoreCreateMutex();
assert(modeMutex != nullptr);
}
void HalPowerManager::setPowerSaving(bool enabled) {
if (normalFreq <= 0) {
return; // invalid state
}
auto wifiMode = WiFi.getMode();
if (wifiMode != WIFI_MODE_NULL) {
// Wifi is active, force disabling power saving
enabled = false;
}
// Note: We don't use mutex here to avoid too much overhead,
// it's not very important if we read a slightly stale value for currentLockMode
const LockMode mode = currentLockMode;
if (mode == None && enabled && !isLowPower) {
LOG_DBG("PWR", "Going to low-power mode");
if (!setCpuFrequencyMhz(LOW_POWER_FREQ)) {
LOG_DBG("PWR", "Failed to set CPU frequency = %d MHz", LOW_POWER_FREQ);
return;
}
isLowPower = true;
} else if ((!enabled || mode != None) && isLowPower) {
LOG_DBG("PWR", "Restoring normal CPU frequency");
if (!setCpuFrequencyMhz(normalFreq)) {
LOG_DBG("PWR", "Failed to set CPU frequency = %d MHz", normalFreq);
return;
}
isLowPower = false;
}
// Otherwise, no change needed
}
void HalPowerManager::startDeepSleep(HalGPIO& gpio) const {
// Ensure that the power button has been released to avoid immediately turning back on if you're holding it
while (gpio.isPressed(HalGPIO::BTN_POWER)) {
delay(50);
gpio.update();
}
// Arm the wakeup trigger *after* the button is released
esp_deep_sleep_enable_gpio_wakeup(1ULL << InputManager::POWER_BUTTON_PIN, ESP_GPIO_WAKEUP_GPIO_LOW);
// Enter Deep Sleep
esp_deep_sleep_start();
}
int HalPowerManager::getBatteryPercentage() const {
static const BatteryMonitor battery = BatteryMonitor(BAT_GPIO0);
return battery.readPercentage();
}
HalPowerManager::Lock::Lock() {
xSemaphoreTake(powerManager.modeMutex, portMAX_DELAY);
// Current limitation: only one lock at a time
if (powerManager.currentLockMode != None) {
LOG_ERR("PWR", "Lock already held, ignore");
valid = false;
} else {
powerManager.currentLockMode = NormalSpeed;
valid = true;
}
xSemaphoreGive(powerManager.modeMutex);
if (valid) {
// Immediately restore normal CPU frequency if currently in low-power mode
powerManager.setPowerSaving(false);
}
}
HalPowerManager::Lock::~Lock() {
xSemaphoreTake(powerManager.modeMutex, portMAX_DELAY);
if (valid) {
powerManager.currentLockMode = None;
}
xSemaphoreGive(powerManager.modeMutex);
}

56
lib/hal/HalPowerManager.h Normal file
View File

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
#pragma once
#include <Arduino.h>
#include <InputManager.h>
#include <Logging.h>
#include <freertos/semphr.h>
#include <cassert>
#include "HalGPIO.h"
class HalPowerManager;
extern HalPowerManager powerManager; // Singleton
class HalPowerManager {
int normalFreq = 0; // MHz
bool isLowPower = false;
enum LockMode { None, NormalSpeed };
LockMode currentLockMode = None;
SemaphoreHandle_t modeMutex = nullptr; // Protect access to currentLockMode
public:
static constexpr int LOW_POWER_FREQ = 10; // MHz
static constexpr unsigned long IDLE_POWER_SAVING_MS = 3000; // ms
void begin();
// Control CPU frequency for power saving
void setPowerSaving(bool enabled);
// Setup wake up GPIO and enter deep sleep
// Should be called inside main loop() to handle the currentLockMode
void startDeepSleep(HalGPIO& gpio) const;
// Get battery percentage (range 0-100)
int getBatteryPercentage() const;
// RAII helper class to manage power saving locks
// Usage: create an instance of Lock in a scope to disable power saving, for example when running a task that needs
// full performance. When the Lock instance is destroyed (goes out of scope), power saving will be re-enabled.
class Lock {
friend class HalPowerManager;
bool valid = false;
public:
explicit Lock();
~Lock();
// Non-copyable and non-movable
Lock(const Lock&) = delete;
Lock& operator=(const Lock&) = delete;
Lock(Lock&&) = delete;
Lock& operator=(Lock&&) = delete;
};
};

View File

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
#include "Activity.h"
#include <HalPowerManager.h>
void Activity::renderTaskTrampoline(void* param) {
auto* self = static_cast<Activity*>(param);
self->renderTaskLoop();
@@ -9,6 +11,7 @@ void Activity::renderTaskLoop() {
while (true) {
ulTaskNotifyTake(pdTRUE, portMAX_DELAY);
{
HalPowerManager::Lock powerLock; // Ensure we don't go into low-power mode while rendering
RenderLock lock(*this);
render(std::move(lock));
}

View File

@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
#include "ActivityWithSubactivity.h"
#include <HalPowerManager.h>
void ActivityWithSubactivity::renderTaskLoop() {
while (true) {
ulTaskNotifyTake(pdTRUE, portMAX_DELAY);
{
HalPowerManager::Lock powerLock; // Ensure we don't go into low-power mode while rendering
RenderLock lock(*this);
if (!subActivity) {
render(std::move(lock));

View File

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ class ClearCacheActivity final : public ActivityWithSubactivity {
void onEnter() override;
void onExit() override;
void loop() override;
bool skipLoopDelay() override { return true; } // Prevent power-saving mode
void render(Activity::RenderLock&&) override;
private:

View File

@@ -34,4 +34,5 @@ class OtaUpdateActivity : public ActivityWithSubactivity {
void loop() override;
void render(Activity::RenderLock&&) override;
bool preventAutoSleep() override { return state == CHECKING_FOR_UPDATE || state == UPDATE_IN_PROGRESS; }
bool skipLoopDelay() override { return true; } // Prevent power-saving mode
};

View File

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
#include <GfxRenderer.h>
#include <HalDisplay.h>
#include <HalGPIO.h>
#include <HalPowerManager.h>
#include <HalStorage.h>
#include <I18n.h>
#include <Logging.h>
@@ -183,7 +184,7 @@ void verifyPowerButtonDuration() {
if (abort) {
// Button released too early. Returning to sleep.
// IMPORTANT: Re-arm the wakeup trigger before sleeping again
gpio.startDeepSleep();
powerManager.startDeepSleep(gpio);
}
}
@@ -206,7 +207,7 @@ void enterDeepSleep() {
LOG_DBG("MAIN", "Power button press calibration value: %lu ms", t2 - t1);
LOG_DBG("MAIN", "Entering deep sleep");
gpio.startDeepSleep();
powerManager.startDeepSleep(gpio);
}
void onGoHome();
@@ -283,6 +284,7 @@ void setup() {
t1 = millis();
gpio.begin();
powerManager.begin();
// Only start serial if USB connected
if (gpio.isUsbConnected()) {
@@ -319,7 +321,7 @@ void setup() {
case HalGPIO::WakeupReason::AfterUSBPower:
// If USB power caused a cold boot, go back to sleep
LOG_DBG("MAIN", "Wakeup reason: After USB Power");
gpio.startDeepSleep();
powerManager.startDeepSleep(gpio);
break;
case HalGPIO::WakeupReason::AfterFlash:
// After flashing, just proceed to boot
@@ -392,6 +394,7 @@ void loop() {
static unsigned long lastActivityTime = millis();
if (gpio.wasAnyPressed() || gpio.wasAnyReleased() || (currentActivity && currentActivity->preventAutoSleep())) {
lastActivityTime = millis(); // Reset inactivity timer
powerManager.setPowerSaving(false); // Restore normal CPU frequency on user activity
}
const unsigned long sleepTimeoutMs = SETTINGS.getSleepTimeoutMs();
@@ -426,11 +429,12 @@ void loop() {
// When an activity requests skip loop delay (e.g., webserver running), use yield() for faster response
// Otherwise, use longer delay to save power
if (currentActivity && currentActivity->skipLoopDelay()) {
powerManager.setPowerSaving(false); // Make sure we're at full performance when skipLoopDelay is requested
yield(); // Give FreeRTOS a chance to run tasks, but return immediately
} else {
static constexpr unsigned long IDLE_POWER_SAVING_MS = 3000; // 3 seconds
if (millis() - lastActivityTime >= IDLE_POWER_SAVING_MS) {
if (millis() - lastActivityTime >= HalPowerManager::IDLE_POWER_SAVING_MS) {
// If we've been inactive for a while, increase the delay to save power
powerManager.setPowerSaving(true); // Lower CPU frequency after extended inactivity
delay(50);
} else {
// Short delay to prevent tight loop while still being responsive