Adaptive Threshold Receiver Circuit for Signal Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data transmission methods, such as those used in the PSI5 interface, require large and costly components like capacitors and resistors for low-pass filtering, leading to increased production costs and initialization times, and are not efficient in separating DC voltage components from modulated signals.

Innovation Solution

A receiver circuit using comparators with adaptive threshold values derived from the supply voltage, eliminating the need for a low-pass filter and allowing direct operation without waiting time, and enabling higher data rates with adjustable time constants and reduced component complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a low-pass filter with large time constant is used to compensate for fluctuating DC component, then the DC component compensation is improved, but the initialization time increases and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDC component compensationVSAvoidinitialization time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the threshold value adaptive rather than fixed. The threshold dynamically tracks the DC component level, allowing the system to respond quickly to changes without requiring a large time constant. This resolves the contradiction by enabling fast initialization (reducing time loss) while maintaining reliable DC compensation through continuous adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of the threshold from a fixed value to a dynamically adjustable value that adapts to DC fluctuations. This parameter change allows the system to achieve both fast response (short initialization time) and accurate DC compensation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a large capacitor is used in the low-pass filter, then the DC component compensation is improved, but the production costs and component costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDC component compensationVSAvoidproduction costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the DC compensation function from the traditional low-pass filter approach and implements it through adaptive thresholding in the comparator circuit. This eliminates the need for large capacitors, reducing production costs and component costs while maintaining reliable DC compensation through the adaptive threshold mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, large-value capacitors with cheaper, smaller components in the comparator-based adaptive threshold circuit. This substitution achieves the same DC compensation function with lower-cost components, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If a low-pass filter is used to separate DC voltage component from modulated signal, then the signal separation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal separationVSAvoidfilter circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical/electrical low-pass filter system with an electronic comparator-based adaptive threshold system. This replacement achieves signal separation through electronic comparison rather than physical filtering, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable separation between DC component and modulated signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptive threshold circuit serves itself by automatically tracking the DC component level without requiring external adjustment or complex filter design. The system self-adjusts to maintain proper signal separation, reducing device complexity while preserving reliable separation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces initialization costs and time, allows for higher data rates, and achieves efficient data transmission over DC voltage supplies without the need for complex energy storage components, making it suitable for vehicle electrical systems.

Implementation Method 1

Comparators are provided for separating the modulated upon signals which, for one, receive a signal derived from the supply voltage as well as a signal that is also derived from the supply voltage, but has been low-pass filtered in addition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage comparison:

Implementation Method 2

a low-pass filter having a very large time constant is used, which compensates for a fluctuating direct current component which comes about due to slow voltage changes in the voltage phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLow-pass filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS7919994B2Reception comparator for signal modulation upon a supply line

Publication Date: 2011.04.05 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wire-bound transmission of data, as occurs, for example, between a sensor and a control unit. In order to save lines, both the supply voltage and the data signal to be transmitted are transmitted over the same line. The field of the present invention relates to the extraction of data signals from the supply voltage line.