Aluetila

Aluetila is a Finnish term used in information technology and engineering to describe a non-active or partially active state of a device, subsystem, or software component. It denotes a mode intended to reduce energy consumption or resource use while preserving the ability to resume normal operation quickly. The precise meaning of aluetila varies by domain, and it is often used in documentation as an intermediate or idle state between full operation (aktiotila) and deeper power-down states (lepotila or sammutustila).

In hardware and embedded systems, aluetila typically refers to an intermediate power state where most circuitry operates at a reduced clock, some blocks are powered down, and only essential context is kept in fast memory or retention circuitry. The device can be awakened by events such as timers or external interrupts. Typical characteristics are clock gating, partial peripheral shutdown, and short wake-up times.

In software, aluetila can describe an application’s or service’s waiting state in which it consumes little CPU time and performs only background tasks or event handling. This usage mirrors the broader concept of an idle or low-activity mode within a software component or system.

Relation to other states: aluetila is commonly positioned between fully active operation and more extensive power-down states, such as sleep or shutdown modes. The term emphasizes a balance between energy efficiency and the ability to resume functionality with minimal delay.

See also: power management, idle state, sleep mode, standby.