Digital isolator capable of returning abnormity, application circuit of digital isolator and isolation communication method

Abstract

The invention provides a digital isolator capable of passing back abnormity, an application circuit of the digital isolator and an isolation communication method. A first isolation circuit of the digital isolator comprises a first coupling piece, a first matching network, a first transmitter and an envelope detector; the second isolation circuit comprises a second coupling piece, a second matching network, a second transmitter and a second receiver; the first emitter and the envelope detector are respectively connected with the first matching network, and the first matching network is connected with the first coupling piece; the first coupling piece is connected with the second coupling piece; the second coupling piece is connected with the second matching network; the second receiver and the second transmitter are respectively connected with the second matching network; and the second transmitter is connected with a second isolated circuit corresponding to the second isolating circuit. According to the invention, the abnormity of the second isolated circuit can be transmitted back to the first isolated circuit only by using a single channel formed by a single pair of coupling pieces, so that the first isolated circuit is prompted to take protection measures.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of isolated communication technology, and in particular to a digital isolator capable of returning abnormalities, an application circuit thereof, and an isolated communication method. Background Art

[0002] Most existing digital isolators and their application circuits (such as half-bridge drivers, DC / DC inverters, ADCs, or DACs) require at least two sets of TX-RX and two sets of coupling devices to achieve the return of abnormal signals.

[0003] like Figure 1(a)-Figure 1(b) As shown in the figure, it is a typical structural diagram of a digital isolator; Figure 2 The figure below shows the structure of a new millimeter-wave isolator. The operating principles of both types of isolators can be summarized as follows: During normal operation, the left-side low-voltage circuit transmits a control signal to the right-side high-voltage circuit via a first transmission channel running from left to right. The right-side high-voltage circuit detects voltage or timing conditions and, upon detecting an anomaly, generates a corresponding pulse signal. This pulse signal is then transmitted back to the left-side low-voltage circuit via a second transmission channel running from right to left to indicate the anomaly. Based on this pulse signal, the left-side low-voltage circuit adjusts the signal transmitted to the right-side high-voltage circuit or shuts down transmission. Therefore, both traditional digital isolators and today's new millimeter-wave digital isolators require two channels: one dedicated to forward signal transmission and the other dedicated to return signal transmission. This two-channel configuration of a digital isolator not only requires a large area but also presents design complexity. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems in the above-mentioned technologies to a certain extent. To this end, one object of the present invention is to provide a digital isolator capable of returning abnormalities, which can realize abnormal return prompts based on a single-pair coupling transmission structure.

[0005] The second object of the present invention is to provide an application circuit of a digital isolator capable of transmitting abnormalities back, which can realize abnormality feedback prompt based on a single-pair coupling transmission structure.

[0006] The third object of the present invention is to propose an isolated communication method capable of returning abnormalities, which can realize abnormal return prompts based on a single channel.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, a first embodiment of the present invention provides a digital isolator capable of returning abnormalities, comprising a first isolation circuit and a second isolation circuit; the first isolation circuit comprises a first coupling element, a first matching network, a first transmitter, and an envelope detector; the second isolation circuit comprises a second coupling element, a second matching network, a second transmitter, and a second receiver;

[0008] The output end of the first transmitter and the input end of the envelope detector are respectively connected to the first matching network, and the first matching network is connected to the first coupling element; the first coupling element is wirelessly coupled to the second coupling element; the second coupling element is connected to the second matching network; the input end of the second receiver and the output end of the second transmitter are respectively connected to the second matching network; and the input end of the second transmitter is connected to the second isolated circuit corresponding to the second isolation circuit;

[0009] The second transmitter is configured to, after receiving an abnormal signal sent by the second isolated circuit, modulate the abnormal signal into a high-frequency signal and then send the signal to the second matching network;

[0010] The second matching network is configured to mix the received high-frequency signal into a low-level region of the currently received normal signal, obtain a return signal, and transmit the return signal through the second coupling element;

[0011] The first matching network is configured to receive the return signal sent by the first coupling component and send it to the envelope detector;

[0012] The envelope detector is configured to, after receiving the return signal, prompt the first isolated circuit corresponding to the first isolation circuit if a high-frequency signal can be detected from the low-level area therein, so that after receiving the prompt, the first isolated circuit controls to shut down the first transmitter or adjust the transmission power of the first transmitter.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a digital isolator capable of transmitting back anomalies is configured by configuring a second transmitter and a second matching network in the second isolation circuit to modulate the abnormal signal emitted by the second isolated circuit into a corresponding high-frequency signal and then mix it into the low-level area of ​​the currently received normal signal to obtain a return signal, which is then transmitted back to the first isolation circuit using the transmission channel of the normal signal; and by configuring an envelope detector in the first isolation circuit to receive and detect the return signal, if the mixed high-frequency signal can be extracted, the first isolated circuit is prompted that an abnormality has occurred in the second isolated circuit. In this way, only a single channel consisting of a single pair of coupling elements is used to transmit the abnormality of the second isolated circuit back to the first isolation circuit, so as to prompt the first isolated circuit to take protective measures. Compared with the digital isolators of the prior art that must be configured with two channels to achieve data transmission, the present invention reduces design complexity and saves area requirements.

[0014] In addition, the digital isolator capable of returning abnormalities according to the above embodiment of the present invention may also have the following additional technical features:

[0015] Optionally, the first isolation circuit is a first millimeter wave isolation circuit; the second isolation circuit is a second millimeter wave isolation circuit; the first coupling element is a first millimeter wave antenna; and the second coupling element is a second millimeter wave antenna.

[0016] Optionally, the first millimeter wave isolation circuit and the second millimeter wave isolation circuit are integrated and packaged into a millimeter wave isolation chip.

[0017] Optionally, the first isolation circuit is a first magnetic coupling isolation circuit or a first capacitive coupling isolation circuit; the second isolation circuit is a second magnetic coupling isolation circuit or a second capacitive coupling isolation circuit; the first coupling element is a first magnetic coupling or a first capacitive coupling; and the second coupling element is a second magnetic coupling or a second capacitive coupling.

[0018] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a second embodiment of the present invention provides an application circuit of a digital isolator capable of returning an abnormality, comprising the above-mentioned digital isolator capable of returning an abnormality; and further comprising a first isolated circuit and a second isolated circuit;

[0019] The input end of the first transmitter and the output end of the envelope detector are respectively connected to the first isolated circuit; the output end of the second receiver and the input end of the second transmitter are respectively connected to the second isolated circuit.

[0020] In addition, the application circuit of the digital isolator capable of returning abnormal information according to the above embodiment of the present invention may also have the following additional technical features:

[0021] Optionally, the first isolated circuit is a low-voltage circuit; and the second isolated circuit is a high-voltage circuit.

[0022] Optionally, the first isolated circuit is a low-voltage half-bridge circuit; the second isolated circuit is a high-voltage half-bridge circuit; the low-voltage half-bridge circuit includes a low-voltage half-bridge controller; the high-voltage half-bridge circuit includes a high-voltage half-bridge controller; the input end of the first transmitter and the output end of the envelope detector are respectively connected to the low-voltage half-bridge controller; the output end of the second receiver and the input end of the second transmitter are respectively connected to the high-voltage half-bridge controller.

[0023] To achieve the above objectives, a third embodiment of the present invention provides an isolated communication method with a backhaul function, based on the digital isolator capable of backhauling abnormalities, comprising:

[0024] When the second isolated circuit detects an abnormal situation, it sends a corresponding abnormal signal to the second isolation circuit of the digital isolator; the second transmitter modulates the received abnormal signal into a corresponding high-frequency signal and sends it to the second matching network; the second matching network mixes the received high-frequency signal with the low-level area of ​​the currently received normal signal, obtains a return signal, and sends the return signal through the second coupling component; after the first matching network of the first isolation circuit receives the return signal sent by the first coupling component, it sends it to the envelope detector; after receiving the return signal, if the envelope detector can detect a high-frequency signal from the low-level area thereof, it prompts the first isolated circuit corresponding to the first isolation circuit, so that after receiving the prompt, it controls to shut down the first transmitter or adjust the transmission power of the first transmitter.

[0025] In addition, the isolated communication method with backhaul function proposed in the above embodiment of the present invention may also have the following additional technical features:

[0026] Optionally, it also includes:

[0027] The normal signal emitted by the first isolated circuit is received by the first transmitter of the first isolation circuit, modulated into a high-frequency normal signal, and then sent to the first matching network; the first matching network sends the high-frequency normal signal through the first coupling component; the second isolation circuit receives the high-frequency normal signal through the second coupling component, and sends it to the second receiver through the second matching network; the second receiver demodulates the high-frequency normal signal into a normal signal, and then transmits it to the second isolated circuit.

[0028] Optionally, the first isolated circuit is a low-voltage circuit; and the second isolated circuit is a high-voltage circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1(a)-Figure 1(b) Schematic diagram of the structure of a typical digital isolator in the prior art;

[0030] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of a novel millimeter wave isolator in the prior art;

[0031] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a digital isolator capable of returning abnormalities provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a millimeter wave isolator capable of returning abnormalities provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a magnetically coupled digital isolator capable of returning abnormal information provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an application circuit structure of a digital isolator capable of returning abnormal information provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the application circuit structure of a digital isolator capable of returning abnormal information provided by a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure Number:

[0037] 101. A first isolated circuit; 102. A second isolated circuit;

[0038] 10. First isolation circuit; 20. Second isolation circuit;

[0039] 11. First coupling element; 12. First matching network; 13. Envelope detector; TX L , a first transmitter;

[0040] 21. Second coupling element; 22. Second matching network; TX H , second transmitter; RX H , a second receiver. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0042] To better understand the above technical solutions, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments described herein. Instead, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0043] It's understandable that when an abnormality occurs in the second isolated circuit, there's a need to promptly notify the first isolated circuit that controls the second isolated circuit so that the first isolated circuit can take timely protective measures to prevent the unexpected situation. In other words, when an abnormality occurs in the second isolated circuit, the digital isolator needs to transmit a signal back.

[0044] In the second isolated circuit, the occurrence of a certain abnormal situation (such as overheating protection, loss of receiving signal, undervoltage protection UVP, overvoltage protection OVP, overcurrent protection OCP, undervoltage lockout UVLO, etc.) is mostly reflected by setting a specific pin / interface high, which is specifically reflected in the form of a high-level signal or a short level signal (such as two or three continuous or discontinuous high-level signals). In other words, the abnormal signal actually received by the second isolated circuit corresponding to different abnormal situations is actually just a high-level signal or a short level signal. For the second isolated circuit, the abnormal signal can be combined with the corresponding pin / interface to correctly determine its corresponding abnormal type; however, for the first isolated circuit, the corresponding abnormal type cannot be determined by only a high-level signal or a short level signal.

[0045] The present invention uses a second isolation circuit in a digital isolator to mix an abnormal signal into the low-level region of a normal signal, forming a return signal. This signal is then transmitted back to the first isolation circuit via the normal signal transmission channel. This allows an envelope detector in the first isolation circuit to detect the abnormal signal mixed in the low-level region of the return signal, thereby alerting the first isolated circuit to an abnormality. Thus, the digital isolator provided by the present invention utilizes only a single channel consisting of a single pair of coupling elements to transmit abnormalities from the second isolation circuit back to the first isolation circuit, prompting the first isolated circuit to take protective measures. Compared to conventional digital isolators that require dual channels for data transmission, the present invention reduces design complexity and saves area requirements.

[0046] In order to better understand the above technical solution, the above technical solution will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0047] Figure 3A schematic diagram of the structure of a digital isolator capable of returning abnormal information provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, the embodiment of the present invention provides a digital isolator capable of returning abnormalities, which includes a first isolation circuit 10 and a second isolation circuit 20; the first isolation circuit 10 includes a first coupling element 11, a first matching network 12, a first transmitter TX L and envelope detector 13; the second isolation circuit 20 includes a second coupling element 21, a second matching network 22, a second transmitter TX H and the second receiver RX H ;

[0049] The first transmitter TX L The input end of the envelope detector 13 and the output end of the envelope detector 13 are respectively connected to the first isolated circuit 101 corresponding to the first isolation circuit 10; the first transmitter TX L The output end of and the input end of the envelope detector 13 are respectively connected to the first matching network 12, the first matching network 12 is connected to the first coupling element 11; the first coupling element 11 is wirelessly coupled to the second coupling element 21; the second coupling element 21 is connected to the second matching network 22; the second receiver RX H The input terminal and the second transmitter TX H The output ends of the second matching network 22 are connected respectively; the second transmitter TX H The input end of the second isolating circuit 20 is connected to the second isolated circuit 102 corresponding to the second isolating circuit 20; the second receiver RX H The output end and the second transmitter TX H The input ends are respectively connected to the second isolated circuits 102 corresponding to the second isolation circuit 20.

[0050] Wherein, the second transmitter TX H , configured to, after receiving an abnormal signal sent by the second isolated circuit, modulate the abnormal signal into a high-frequency signal and then send it to the second matching network.

[0051] The second matching network 22 is configured to mix the received high-frequency signal into the low-level region of the currently received normal signal, obtain a return signal, and transmit the return signal through the second coupling element;

[0052] The first matching network 12 is configured to receive the return signal sent by the first coupling component and send it to the envelope detector;

[0053] The envelope detector 13 is configured to, after receiving the return signal, prompt the first isolated circuit corresponding to the first isolation circuit if a high-frequency signal can be detected from the low-level area thereof;

[0054] The first isolated circuit 101 is configured to, after receiving a prompt from the first isolated circuit, determine that an abnormality occurs in the second isolated circuit, and control the first transmitter to shut down or adjust the transmission power of the first transmitter.

[0055] The working principle of the digital isolator capable of returning abnormal information provided in this embodiment is as follows:

[0056] In normal transmission state, such as Figure 3 As shown in the purple transmission link, the first isolated circuit 101 transmits a normal signal (pulse modulation signal, such as Pulse Width Modulation, PWM) to the first isolation circuit 10 of the digital isolator; the first transmitter TX of the first isolation circuit 10 L After receiving the normal signal, the carrier is modulated to a high frequency (blue signal in the figure), and then sent to the first matching network 12; after the first matching network 12 receives the high frequency normal signal, it converts the output impedance of the first coupling element 11 to make the first transmitter TX L The high-frequency normal signal can be sent out through the first coupling member 11 at maximum power; after the second coupling member 21 of the second isolation circuit 20 receives the high-frequency normal signal (the blue signal changes from "long" to "short" in the figure due to the loss of wireless transmission), it is transmitted to the second receiver RX through the second matching network 22 H ; Second receiver RX H The high-frequency normal signal is demodulated and restored to a normal signal of the original frequency, and then output to the second isolated circuit 102 .

[0057] When any abnormal situation occurs in the second isolated circuit 102, the corresponding abnormal signal will be output to the digital isolator. Figure 3 As shown in the orange transmission link, the abnormal signal will be output to the second transmitter TX in the second isolation circuit 20 H ; For the second transmitter TX H As far as the signal received is concerned, it is actually a high level signal or a short level signal (such as Figure 3 Green signal in the second transmitter TX H The received abnormal signal is processed by carrier modulation to obtain the corresponding high-frequency signal ( Figure 3 After receiving the high-frequency signal, the second matching network 22 first mixes the high-frequency signal into the normal signal currently transmitted in the forward direction (i.e. Figure 3The return signal ( Figure 3 The blue + red signal in the second coupling element 21 is converted to make the second transmitter TX H The return signal can be sent out through the second coupling component 21 at maximum power; after the first matching network 12 of the first isolation circuit 10 receives the return signal sent by the first coupling component 11, it sends it to the envelope detector 13; after receiving the return signal, if the envelope detector 13 can detect a high-frequency signal in the low-level area of ​​the return signal (the high-frequency signal will be amplified by its amplifier to obtain the green signal in the figure), it will prompt the first isolated circuit 101 connected thereto; after receiving the prompt, the first isolated circuit 101 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the second isolated circuit 102, and promptly controls and shuts down the first transmitter TX L Or adjust the first transmitter TX L The transmission power (changing the signal duty cycle).

[0058] The digital isolator capable of transmitting anomalies back to the first isolated circuit via the digital isolator, provided in this embodiment, can directly utilize a single channel consisting of a single pair of coupling components to transmit the anomaly from the second isolated circuit back to the first isolated circuit, prompting the first isolated circuit to take protective measures. Compared to existing digital isolators that require a dual-channel configuration for data transmission, the digital isolator of this embodiment eliminates the need for a set of transmission coupling components, a receiver (a first receiver located in the first isolated circuit), and its control circuitry. This reduces design complexity and area requirements, thus offering promising application prospects.

[0059] In some specific implementations of this embodiment, the first isolated circuit and the second isolated circuit can be any circuit requiring communication isolation. The most common implementation is communication isolation between high- and low-voltage circuits. The first isolated circuit is a low-voltage circuit, and the second isolated circuit is a high-voltage circuit. Specifically, this can be applied to devices such as half-bridge drivers, DC / DC inverters, ADCs, or DACs, providing safe and reliable communication isolation between high and low voltages.

[0060] See also Figure 4 and Figure 5 ,in, Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a millimeter wave digital isolator capable of returning abnormal information provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a magnetically coupled digital isolator capable of returning abnormal information provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown, the present invention Figure 3 Further expansion is made on the basis of the embodiment to provide a millimeter wave digital isolator with backhaul function.

[0062] This embodiment and Figure 3 The difference between the embodiments is that the first isolation circuit is specifically a first millimeter wave isolation circuit; the second isolation circuit is a second millimeter wave isolation circuit; the first coupling element is a first millimeter wave antenna; and the second coupling element is a second millimeter wave antenna. Optionally, the first millimeter wave antenna and the second millimeter wave antenna can be a pair of near-field millimeter wave antennas, forming a single-ended antenna; or can be as follows Figure 4 The two pairs of near-field millimeter-wave antennas shown constitute differential antennas.

[0063] In some specific embodiments, the first millimeter-wave isolation circuit and the second millimeter-wave isolation circuit are integrated and packaged into a millimeter-wave isolation chip. Specifically, the millimeter-wave digital isolator capable of transmitting back anomalies described in this embodiment is preferably in the form of a millimeter-wave digital isolation chip. This allows for miniaturization of the digital isolator, making it more suitable for use in small devices. Furthermore, this improves the reliability of the digital isolator and facilitates connection to external circuits.

[0064] It can be understood that the digital isolator of this embodiment is based on millimeter wave technology to achieve isolated transmission. Therefore, the first isolation circuit and the second isolation circuit of the digital isolator of this embodiment have higher transmission speed, higher bandwidth and higher isolation. More importantly, the millimeter wave digital isolator of this embodiment can achieve the purpose of transmitting the abnormality of the second isolated circuit from the second isolation circuit to the first isolation circuit by using only a single millimeter wave channel composed of a single pair of millimeter wave antennas, so as to prompt the first isolated circuit to take protective measures. Compared with the millimeter wave digital isolator of the prior art that must be configured with two channels to achieve signal feedback, this embodiment can simultaneously save the configuration of a set of millimeter wave antennas and a receiver and its control circuit, thereby reducing the design complexity and area requirements, and thus has good application prospects.

[0065] like Figure 5 As shown, the present invention Figure 3 The embodiment is further expanded to provide a magnetically coupled digital isolator capable of returning abnormalities.

[0066] This embodiment and Figure 3The difference between the embodiments is that the first isolation circuit is a first magnetic coupling isolation circuit or a first capacitive coupling isolation circuit (not shown in the figure); the second isolation circuit is a second magnetic coupling isolation circuit or a second capacitive coupling isolation circuit (not shown in the figure); the first coupling element is a first magnetic coupling or a first capacitive coupling (not shown in the figure); the second coupling element is a second magnetic coupling or a second capacitive coupling (not shown in the figure).

[0067] The digital isolator of this embodiment utilizes magnetic coupling technology to achieve isolated transmission. Using only a single magnetic coupling channel, consisting of a single pair of magnetic coupling components, it can transmit abnormalities in the second isolated circuit back to the first isolated circuit, prompting the first isolated circuit to take protective measures. Compared to existing magnetic coupling digital isolators that require two channels for signal transmission, this embodiment eliminates the need for a set of magnetic coupling components, a receiver, and its control circuitry. This reduces design complexity and area requirements, thus offering promising application prospects.

[0068] Optionally, Figure 3 The digital isolator capable of transmitting abnormal information back to the embodiment can also adopt other coupling transmission modes, such as capacitive coupling, inductive coupling, electromagnetic coupling, electric coupling, etc., which are not listed here one by one. Figure 3 The digital isolator capable of returning abnormalities provided in the embodiment can be used in scenarios using any coupling transmission mode, and has a wide range of application scenarios and strong practicality.

[0069] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of an application circuit of a digital isolator capable of returning abnormal information provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] The embodiment of the present invention is further expanded based on any of the previous embodiments to provide an application circuit of a digital isolator capable of returning abnormal information. Figure 6 As shown, the application circuit includes the digital isolator described in any of the above embodiments, and also includes a first isolated circuit 101 and a second isolated circuit 102; the output end of the first isolated circuit 101 is connected to the first transmitter TX in the digital isolator L The input terminal of the first isolated circuit 101 is connected to the envelope detector 13 in the digital isolator; the output terminal of the second isolated circuit 102 is connected to the second transmitter TX in the digital isolator H The input end of the second isolated circuit 102 is connected to the second receiver RX in the digital isolator. H connect.

[0071] This embodiment enables the digital isolator described in the previous embodiment to directly transmit the abnormality of the second isolated circuit through a single channel consisting of a single pair of coupling components, prompting the first isolated circuit to take protective measures when an abnormality occurs in the second isolated circuit. Compared to existing digital isolators for signal feedback that must have two channels, this embodiment reduces both design complexity and footprint due to the digital isolator's structural advantages, thus helping to reduce the overall design complexity and footprint of the application circuit.

[0072] In some specific implementations of this embodiment, the second isolated circuit is usually a high-voltage circuit; and the first isolated circuit is usually a low-voltage circuit.

[0073] In some further specific implementations of this embodiment, when the digital isolator described in the previous embodiment is applied to a half-bridge drive design, the first isolated circuit is a low-voltage half-bridge circuit; the second isolated circuit is a high-voltage half-bridge circuit; the low-voltage half-bridge circuit includes a low-voltage half-bridge controller; and the high-voltage half-bridge circuit includes a high-voltage half-bridge controller.

[0074] like Figure 7 As shown, the input end of the first transmitter in the low voltage zone and the output end of the envelope detector are respectively connected to the low voltage half-bridge controller; the output end of the second receiver in the high voltage zone and the input end of the second transmitter are respectively connected to the high voltage half-bridge controller.

[0075] The aforementioned embodiment provides a half-bridge driver design for a digital isolator capable of transmitting abnormality feedback. This design allows the digital isolator to utilize only a single channel to transmit high-voltage anomalies, prompting the first isolated circuit to take protective measures. Compared to existing half-bridge drivers that require dual channels for high-voltage anomaly feedback, this significantly reduces the overall design complexity and area required for the half-bridge driver circuit.

[0076] This embodiment also provides an isolated communication method capable of returning abnormalities, which is implemented based on the digital isolator described in any of the previous embodiments. The specific structure and connection relationship of the digital isolator will not be repeated here. For details, please refer to the description of the previous embodiment.

[0077] Combine Figure 3 To understand, an embodiment of the present invention provides an isolated communication method capable of returning an abnormality, including:

[0078] In normal transmission state, such as Figure 3As shown in the purple transmission link, the first isolated circuit transmits a normal signal (pulse modulated signal, such as Pulse Width Modulation, PWM) to the first isolation circuit of the digital isolator; the first transmitter of the first isolation circuit receives the normal signal, modulates its carrier to a high frequency (the blue signal in the figure), and then sends it to the first matching network; after the first matching network receives the high-frequency normal signal, it converts the output impedance of the first coupling element so that the first transmitter can send the high-frequency normal signal through the first coupling element at maximum power; after the second coupling element of the second isolation circuit receives the high-frequency normal signal, it transmits it to the second receiver via the second matching network; the second receiver demodulates the high-frequency normal signal to restore it to a normal signal of the original frequency, and then outputs it to the second isolated circuit.

[0079] When any abnormal situation occurs in the second isolated circuit, the corresponding abnormal signal will be output to the digital isolator. Figure 3 As shown in the orange transmission link, the abnormal signal will be output to the second transmitter in the second isolation circuit; for the second transmitter, what is received is actually a high-level signal or a short-level signal (such as Figure 3 The second transmitter modulates the received abnormal signal to obtain the corresponding high-frequency signal ( Figure 3 After receiving the high-frequency signal, the second matching network first mixes the high-frequency signal into the normal signal currently transmitted in the forward direction (i.e. Figure 3 The return signal ( Figure 3 The blue + red signal in the second coupling element is converted, and the output impedance of the second coupling element is converted so that the second transmitter can send the return signal through the second coupling element at maximum power; after the first matching network of the first isolation circuit receives the return signal sent by the first coupling element, it sends it to the envelope detector; after receiving the return signal, if the envelope detector can detect the high-frequency signal in the low-level area of ​​the return signal, it prompts the first isolated circuit connected to it; after receiving the prompt, the first isolated circuit determines that the second isolated circuit has an abnormality and promptly controls to shut down the first transmitter TX L Or adjust the first transmitter TX L The transmission power (changing the signal duty cycle).

[0080] In some specific implementations of this embodiment, the first isolated circuit is a low-voltage circuit; and the second isolated circuit is a high-voltage circuit.

[0081] In some specific implementations of this embodiment, the first isolated circuit is a low-voltage half-bridge circuit; the second isolated circuit is a high-voltage half-bridge circuit; the low-voltage half-bridge circuit includes a low-voltage half-bridge controller; and the high-voltage half-bridge circuit includes a high-voltage half-bridge controller.

[0082] In some specific implementations of this embodiment, the prompting of the first isolated circuit corresponding to the first isolation circuit specifically includes: the envelope detector prompting the first isolated circuit (i.e., the low-voltage half-bridge controller) and the second isolated circuit (i.e., the high-voltage half-bridge circuit) that an abnormality has occurred; the first isolated circuit (i.e., the low-voltage half-bridge controller) controls to shut down the first transmitter or adjust the transmission power of the first transmitter (such as changing the signal duty cycle).

[0083] The isolated communication method with feedback functionality provided by this embodiment builds on the previously described digital isolator capable of feedback. This method utilizes a single channel consisting of a single pair of coupling components to enable feedback of abnormalities in a second isolated circuit from a second isolation circuit to the first isolation circuit, prompting the first isolated circuit to take protective measures. Compared to prior digital isolators that require dual channels for data feedback, the isolated communication method provided by this embodiment reduces design complexity and space requirements.

[0084] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Thus, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0085] The present invention is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0086] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0087] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0088] It should be noted that in the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of components or steps not listed in the claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding a component does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such components. The invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different components and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a unit claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, third etc. does not indicate any order. These words may be interpreted as names.

[0089] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art may make additional changes and modifications to these embodiments once they have learned the basic creative concept. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0090] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is intended to include such changes and modifications.

[0091] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0092] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0093] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, when a first feature is "above" or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediary. Furthermore, when a first feature is "above," "above," or "above" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. When a first feature is "below," "below," or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

[0094] In the description of this specification, the reference terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms should not be understood as necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification and features of different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0095] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it will be understood that the above embodiments are illustrative and are not to be construed as limitations on the present invention. A person skilled in the art may change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A digital isolator capable of returning abnormalities, characterized in that: The device comprises a first isolation circuit and a second isolation circuit; the first isolation circuit comprises a first coupling element, a first matching network, a first transmitter, and an envelope detector; the second isolation circuit comprises a second coupling element, a second matching network, a second transmitter, and a second receiver; The output end of the first transmitter and the input end of the envelope detector are respectively connected to the first matching network, the first matching network is connected to the first coupling element; the first coupling element is wirelessly coupled to the second coupling element; The second coupling element is connected to the second matching network; the input end of the second receiver and the output end of the second transmitter are respectively connected to the second matching network; The input end of the second transmitter is connected to the second isolated circuit corresponding to the second isolation circuit; The second transmitter is configured to, after receiving an abnormal signal sent by the second isolated circuit, modulate the abnormal signal into a high-frequency signal and then send the signal to the second matching network; The second matching network is configured to mix the received high-frequency signal into a low-level region of the currently received normal signal, obtain a return signal, and transmit the return signal through the second coupling element; The first matching network is configured to receive the return signal sent by the first coupling component and send it to the envelope detector; The envelope detector is configured to, after receiving the return signal, prompt the first isolated circuit corresponding to the first isolation circuit if a high-frequency signal can be detected from the low-level area therein, so that after receiving the prompt, the first isolated circuit controls to shut down the first transmitter or adjust the transmission power of the first transmitter.

2. The digital isolator capable of returning abnormalities according to claim 1, wherein: The first isolation circuit is a first millimeter wave isolation circuit; the second isolation circuit is a second millimeter wave isolation circuit; The first coupling element is a first millimeter wave antenna; the second coupling element is a second millimeter wave antenna.

3. The digital isolator capable of returning abnormalities according to claim 2, wherein: The first millimeter wave isolation circuit and the second millimeter wave isolation circuit are integrated and packaged into a millimeter wave isolation chip.

4. The digital isolator capable of returning abnormalities according to claim 1, wherein: The first isolation circuit is a first magnetic coupling isolation circuit or a first capacitive coupling isolation circuit; the second isolation circuit is a second magnetic coupling isolation circuit or a second capacitive coupling isolation circuit; the first coupling component is a first magnetic coupling or a first capacitive coupling; and the second coupling component is a second magnetic coupling or a second capacitive coupling.

5. An application circuit of a digital isolator capable of returning abnormal information, characterized in that: A digital isolator capable of returning anomalies according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and a first isolated circuit and a second isolated circuit; The input end of the first transmitter and the output end of the envelope detector are respectively connected to the first isolated circuit; the output end of the second receiver and the input end of the second transmitter are respectively connected to the second isolated circuit.

6. The application circuit of the digital isolator capable of returning abnormal information as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The first isolated circuit is a low-voltage circuit; the second isolated circuit is a high-voltage circuit.

7. The application circuit of the digital isolator capable of returning abnormalities according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first isolated circuit is a low-voltage half-bridge circuit; the second isolated circuit is a high-voltage half-bridge circuit; the low-voltage half-bridge circuit includes a low-voltage half-bridge controller; the high-voltage half-bridge circuit includes a high-voltage half-bridge controller; the input end of the first transmitter and the output end of the envelope detector are respectively connected to the low-voltage half-bridge controller; the output end of the second receiver and the input end of the second transmitter are respectively connected to the high-voltage half-bridge controller.

8. An isolated communication method capable of returning abnormalities, characterized in that: The digital isolator capable of returning an abnormality according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: When the second isolated circuit detects an abnormal situation, it sends a corresponding abnormal signal to the second isolation circuit of the digital isolator; the second transmitter modulates the received abnormal signal into a corresponding high-frequency signal and sends it to the second matching network; the second matching network mixes the received high-frequency signal with the low-level area of ​​the currently received normal signal, obtains a return signal, and sends the return signal through the second coupling component; after the first matching network of the first isolation circuit receives the return signal sent by the first coupling component, it sends it to the envelope detector; after receiving the return signal, if the envelope detector can detect a high-frequency signal from the low-level area thereof, it prompts the first isolated circuit corresponding to the first isolation circuit, so that after receiving the prompt, it controls to shut down the first transmitter or adjust the transmission power of the first transmitter.

9. The isolated communication method capable of returning abnormalities according to claim 8, characterized in that: Also includes: The normal signal emitted by the first isolated circuit is received by the first transmitter of the first isolation circuit, modulated into a high-frequency normal signal, and then sent to the first matching network; the first matching network sends the high-frequency normal signal through the first coupling element; The second isolation circuit receives the high-frequency normal signal through the second coupling component and sends it to the second receiver via the second matching network; The second receiver demodulates the high-frequency normal signal into a normal signal, and then transmits the normal signal to the second isolated circuit.

10. The isolated communication method capable of returning abnormalities according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first isolated circuit is a low-voltage circuit; the second isolated circuit is a high-voltage circuit.

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