Adaptive Voltage Limiter Circuit for Low-Distortion Signal Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voltage limiters for electrostatic signal receivers suffer from signal distortion due to leakage currents and fixed characteristic curves, which are not adaptable to varying capacitive or electrostatic signal sources, leading to compression or distortion of useful signals.

Innovation Solution

A voltage limiter design featuring branches with diode and resistor elements, allowing for adjustable knee voltage regions and slopes, and the use of switches for dynamic adaptation to optimize the limiter's characteristic curve, minimizing leakage current effects and ensuring the quiescent operating point remains near the origin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple voltage limiter with anti-parallel diode elements is used, then the structure is simple and power dissipation is low, but signal distortion occurs due to leakage currents and fixed characteristic curves

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidsignal distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the voltage limiter characteristic adjustable through switching elements (transistors or switches) that can dynamically change the knee voltage and characteristic curve shape. This allows the limiter to adapt to different signal conditions and minimize distortion while maintaining a relatively simple basic structure of anti-parallel diode branches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by introducing controllable elements (switching devices) that modify the electrical characteristics of the voltage limiter. By adjusting the knee voltage, leakage current, and characteristic curve shape through these switching elements, the system can optimize performance to reduce signal distortion while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a fixed characteristic voltage limiter is used, then the device is simple to operate, but it cannot adapt to varying properties of electrostatic or capacitive signal sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to signal source
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by incorporating switching elements (transistors or switches) that enable the voltage limiter to dynamically adjust its characteristic curve and knee voltage based on signal conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to work with different electrostatic or capacitive signal sources while maintaining ease of operation through automatic or controlled adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves universality by designing a voltage limiter that can handle multiple types of signal sources (electrostatic and capacitive) with varying properties. The switching elements enable the same basic circuit structure to adapt to different signal conditions, making the device universally applicable across different signal source types without requiring multiple specialized circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the voltage limiter operates near knee points, then leakage current effects are present, but the static operating point is naturally established

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatic operating point stabilityVSAvoidsignal compression and distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes parameters by introducing switching elements that can adjust the knee voltage and operating characteristics of the voltage limiter. By controlling these parameters dynamically, the system can maintain a stable static operating point while avoiding the signal compression and distortion that occurs when operating near fixed knee points, thus improving both reliability and signal fidelity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution effectively reduces signal distortion, allows for adaptive operation, and ensures minimal power dissipation, enabling the voltage limiter to pass full bandwidth with minimal distortion and optimal performance across varying signal conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a first branch connected to the signal conductor, connected to the ground conductor and comprising a first diode element. The voltage limiter further comprises a second branch connected to the signal conductor, connected to the ground conductor and comprising a second diode element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiode conduction: Diode

Implementation Method 2

The voltage limiter further comprises a resistor element between the signal conductor and the ground conductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP4304091A1Voltage limiter for electrostatic signal receiver
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 EM MICROELECTRONIC-MARIN
  • EP4304091A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4304091A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4304091A1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The disclosure concerns a voltage limiter for a signal receiver (1), the voltage limiter (20) comprising : - an input (21) connectable to a signal source (10), - an output (22) connectable to a detector (70) and connected to the input (21) via a signal conductor (30), - a ground conductor (40) connectable to ground (5), - a first branch (24) connected to the signal conductor (30), connected to the ground conductor (40) and comprising a first diode element (52), - a second branch (25) connected to the signal conductor (30), connected to the ground conductor (40) and comprising a second diode element (53), and - a resistor element (36, 54, 55) between the signal conductor (30) and the ground conductor (40).