UNIVERSITY OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY

CRITICAL THINKING AND INTEGRATION OF THOUGHT

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
ASSIGNMENT
GROUP C || CE II
 POWER OPTIMIZATION IN MOBILE DEVICES

1. Analysis:
Power optimization is a multi-faceted problem, with many different factors to consider.
These factors include the type of processor used, the operating system, the user's
behavior, and the application's behavior. Mobile consumer-electronics devices, especially
phones, are powered from batteries which are limited in size and therefore capacity. This
implies that managing energy well.
Let's take a look at each of these factors in turn by examining the factors that contribute to
high power usage such as:
i. CPU (Central Processing Unit): The CPU is the brain of any electronic device,
responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. When the CPU is
under heavy load, either due to resource-intensive applications or tasks, it requires
more power to meet the demands
ii. Display: The display is a major power consumer, particularly in devices with larger
screens. LCD and OLED screens require a backlight or emit light individually (in the
case of OLED) to display images and content. Brightness settings significantly impact
power usage; higher brightness levels consume more power.
iii. Network Connectivity: Network connectivity, especially wireless connections like
Wi-Fi and mobile data, can contribute to power usage. When a device is actively
transmitting or receiving data over the network, the Wi-Fi or cellular radio is powered
up, consuming energy.
iv. Background processes: Background processes running on a device can silently
consume power without the user's knowledge. These processes include app updates,
email synchronization, cloud backups, and various system services.
2. Synthesis:

While newer processors may be more power efficient, they may also require more
power to achieve peak performance. Therefore, it's important to balance the need for
power efficiency with the need for performance when optimizing power consumption
in mobile devices. Another factor to consider is the operating system. Different
operating systems have different levels of power optimization built in, and some are
better than others at managing power consumption.

Additionally, users' behavior can have a significant impact on power consumption.

For example, using the device's screen at a lower brightness can reduce
power consumption and vice versa. Network Connectivity is also a great factor as well
as background processes.
3. Evaluation:

CPUs can have a significant impact on power consumption. Some CPUs are more
power efficient than others, but they may also have lower performance. Therefore, it's
important to consider the trade-offs between power efficiency and performance when
evaluating the impact of CPUs on power consumption. Some factors that can affect a
CPU's power efficiency include the size of its cache, its clock speed, and its
architecture.

Reducing the brightness of the screen may improve power efficiency, but it may also
reduce the user's ability to see the screen clearly. In addition, some users may prefer a
brighter screen, even if it uses more power. Therefore, it's important to balance power
efficiency with other considerations when optimizing mobile devices. It's also
important to consider the application's behavior, as some applications are more power
efficient than others.

4. Interpretation:

First, it's important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for power
optimization. Different devices and users have different needs and preferences, and
what may work well for one device or user may not work well for another.
Additionally, there are often trade-offs between power efficiency and other factors,
such as user experience, performance, and cost. Therefore, critical thinking is required
to evaluate the trade-offs and find the best solution for each individual situation.

5. Problem-solving:

First, it's important to identify the root causes of power inefficiency in mobile devices.
This may include identifying inefficient applications, inefficient hardware, or
inefficient user behavior. Once the root causes have been identified, possible solutions
can be explored and evaluated. It's also important to consider the trade-offs of each
potential solution, and to weigh the costs and benefits of each option.
Finally, a solution should be implemented and tested, and the results should be
analyzed to determine whether it has successfully optimized power consumption.
 GROUP C MEMBERS SIGNATURE

FOE.41.008.029.21 AGGREY, Mark

FOE.41.008.031.21 AGYEI, Festus Kusi

FOE.41.008.024.21 ADJEI, Kwaku

FOE.41.008.022.21 ADEBI, Georgina Obeng Boateng (Miss)

FOE.41.008.023.21 ADJAKA, Gilda (Miss)

FOE.41.008.025.21 ADU-MENSAH, Ronald

FOE.41.008.026.21 ADWOA, Kessewaa Eunice (Ms.)

FOE.41.008.027.21 AGBEZIN, Andrew Hills

FOE.41.008.028.21 AGBOVI, Eugene Asiedu

FOE.41.008.030.21 AGYARKO, Samuel Boakye