lågströms

Lågströms, literally “low current” in Swedish, is a term used to describe electronic devices and design approaches intended to minimize electrical current draw. In practice, the concept covers hardware and software strategies to reduce energy use, particularly for battery-powered applications.

Applications include wearables, sensors, Internet of Things devices, medical implants, mobile devices, and automotive electronics. In these contexts, devices may switch between active operation and low-power modes, with standby or sleep currents measured in microamps to milliamps.

Design principles include selecting low-power components, using efficient voltage regulators, minimizing quiescent currents, implementing sleep or standby modes, duty cycling, event-driven software, and power gating. Thermal and performance considerations are balanced against energy goals; techniques such as dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) may be used in some systems.

Current levels vary by technology, but active operation often consumes significantly more current than standby, while long battery life depends on keeping quiescent and leakage currents low. Trade-offs may include increased design complexity, longer development time, or reduced peak performance.

There is no single universal standard for what qualifies as lågströms; it is part of the broader field of low-power electronics and energy-efficient design, guided by product requirements and regulatory considerations.

See also: low-power electronics, sleep mode, duty cycling, energy harvesting.