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Lab 9: Optimization and Low Power Modes

Module by: adrian valenzuela. E-mail the author

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Summary: In this lab, we will learn the basics of optimizing code intended for embedded systems.

Low Power Modes and Code Optimization

Exercise 1

Fibonacci Optimization

The "Reducing Power Consumption" module discusses why it is important to keep power in mind when programming embedded devices. We have yet to consider this while programming the previous labs. Writing efficient code is the first step in improving power consumption, next we can disable all parts of the board that aren't currently being used.

Take the following piece of code: 


                  long fibo(int n) 
                  {
                    if (n < 2)
                      return n;
                    else 
                      return fibo(n-1) + fibo(n-2);
                  }
It recursively calculate the nth number in a Fibonacci sequence recursively. Recursion makes this piece of code easier to read, however, it is very inefficient and consumes far more memory than it has to. If you try to compute a large number, say fibo(50), then it will take much longer and will consume more power than it should.

The original program is very inefficient and wastes memory in several of the ways described in the inefficient Memory Conservation module. Modify the code to eliminate the memory waste and improve the speed of the program. Note that there is a tradeoff between speed and memory (though at first the program is simply gratuitously wasteful). What is the nature of the tradeoff? Assuming the one addition takes one cycle to complete, how long would it take the original code to complete fibo(50)? How long would it take your new, improved version? Assume that you are only considering the addition operations.

Exercise 2

Low Power Modes

Modify your project so that the processor remains in one of the low power modes whenever it is not doing any calculations. Wake up from low power mode when a pushbutton interrupt fires, and have your program compute fibo(50). Output the result to the standard out display. What is the result? (Hint: 12,586,269,025) Make the result is correct number. As soon as the calculation is done, return to low power mode. Make sure to turn on the Red LED while in an idle state.

HINT:
A number must be small enough to fit in its given type. If it is too large, you may get unpredictable results. Try using a long long for extra huge numbers. If your standard out does not support such large data types then you may have to use bit-wise operations to separate the number into smaller chunks suitable for printing.

Measure the power consumed by the entire device when you are in low power mode and when it is computing something. You may want to have the processor compute something indefinitely, in order to get a more accurate result.

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