SWRU543B January 2019 – June 2025 CC3230S , CC3230SF , CC3235MODS , CC3235MODSF , CC3235S , CC3235SF
The CC32xx Wi-Fi microcontroller is a multiprocessor system-on-chip. An advanced power-management scheme has been implemented at chip level that delivers the best-in-class energy efficiency across a wide class of application profiles, while handling the asynchronous sleep-wake requirements of multiple high-performance processors and Wi-Fi radio subsystems. The Cortex®-M4 application processor subsystem (consisting of the CM4 core and application peripherals) is a subset of this.
In the chip-level power-management scheme, the application program is unaware of the power state transitions of the other subsystems. This approach insulates the user from the complexities of a multiprocessor system and simplifies the application development process.
From the standpoint of the Cortex®-M4 application processor, CC32xx supports the SLEEP mode similar to those in discrete microcontrollers. In addition to SLEEP mode, additional modes are offered that consume much less power:
LPDS and HIB modes are discussed in more detail in the Power Clock and Reset Management chapter.
Figure 2-7 shows the architecture of the CC32xx SoC level power management, especially from the application point of view.
The Cortex®-M4 processor implementation inside the CC32xx multiprocessor SoC has a few differences when compared to a discrete MCU. While SLEEP mode is supported, in the CC32xx this mode is limited in energy consumption savings.
Ultra-low power applications should be architected such that time spent in LPDS or hibernate mode is maximized. The Cortex®-M4 application processor can be configured wake up on selected events, for example network events such as an incoming data packet, timer, or I/O pad toggle. The time spent in RUN (or ACTIVE) state should then be minimized. The dedicated Cortex®-M4 application processor in CC32xx is particularly suited for this mode of operation due to its advanced power management, DMA, zero wait-state multi-layer AHB interconnect, fast execution and retention over the entire range of zero wait-state SRAM.
Figure 2-7 Power-Management Architecture in CC32xx SoC