CODEWITHSUNDEEP
iphonegpsaccelerometerbackground-processcompass-geolocation
Rio
Rio

Reputation: 14892

Between GPS, compass heading and accelerometer, which consumes the most amount of battery?

Does anyone know between GPS, compass heading and accelerometer which uses the most amount of battery (or how they compare relatively?)

I'm assuming somewhat naively it's:

accelerometer < compass heading < GPS

but I can't find anything to substantiate or refute my intuitions.

Clarification: I'm curious as to how it performs specifically on an iPhone.

Upvotes: 5

Views: 1007

Answers (2)

user1145038
user1145038

Reputation:

Your order is correct.

  • MEMS accelerometers are based on measuring capacitors (this really do not have any consumption with an ADC).
  • Magnetometers (compass) are based on measuring a ferro-resistive material, which have to be excited with large short-time current pulses + ADC. Therefore the consumption should be a little bit higher.
  • GPS involves more than just reading an ADC, the signal has to be processed (generally by a FPGA or ASIC), therefore the consumption is higher.

Upvotes: 2

Axis
Axis

Reputation: 846

Well it really depends on the device. A GPS with an active antenna will consume the most power. Accelerometers and compass usually only draw milliamps when running. Generally your order is correct.

Specifically to the iPhone

  1. GPS: 4mA (Assuming it runs on 3.3V. I cannot find the datasheet)
  2. Compass: 1.2mA
  3. Accelerometer: 0.25mA

Upvotes: 11

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