APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REDUCING THE CURRENT CONSUMPTION OF A CONTROL CIRCUIT

摘要

Apparatus and method for reducing the current consumption of a control circuit in which at least one transmitting and receiving unit that is electrically connected to a microcontroller transmits signals wirelessly through at least one transmitting antenna. By way of the microcontroller and in an active operating state thereof, control signals are transferred to the transmitting and receiving unit for the control thereof or configuration data are transferred for the operation of said unit. By way of the transmitting and receiving unit, in a first operating state transmission signals are issued therefrom while controlling the control signals of the microcontroller.  As a reaction to a first specified event, the transmitting and receiving unit is switched to a second operating state through a one-time transfer of corresponding configuration data by the microcontroller. In the second operating state, the transmitting and receiving unit automatically transmits repeated transmission signals. The microcontroller immediately switches to a current-saving or non-current, inactive operating state after said microcontroller has switched the transmitting and receiving unit to the second operating state. As a reaction to a second specific event, the transmitting and receiving unit switches to the first operating state and produces a state change signal for the microcontroller, which switches to the active operating state as a reaction thereto.