AGC Threshold Setting Using a Single External Resistor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in providing increased functionality while maintaining or reducing their small size, particularly in efficiently managing signal gain without increasing the number of input/output pins or requiring multiple threshold levels for automatic gain control (AGC) circuits.

Innovation Solution

An integrated circuit (IC) with a current output digital-to-analog converter (IDAC) circuit and a voltage sensing circuit that uses a single external resistor to adjust threshold levels for the AGC function, allowing for reduced I/O pins and efficient signal gain modification based on battery voltage and selected threshold values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple external resistors are used to set different threshold levels for AGC, then the AGC circuit can achieve multiple threshold levels, but the number of I/O pins and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethreshold level adjustmentVSAvoidnumber of I/O pins

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single external resistor is designed to perform multiple functions by selectively determining different threshold levels (first threshold and second threshold) for the AGC circuit based on operating conditions, eliminating the need for multiple separate resistors and reducing I/O pin requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The threshold levels are dynamically adjusted by changing the reference voltage parameters within the AGC circuit based on the resistor value and operating conditions, allowing multiple threshold levels to be achieved with a single resistor component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple external resistors are used to set different threshold levels for AGC, then the AGC circuit can achieve multiple threshold levels, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethreshold level adjustmentVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The functionality of multiple threshold-setting resistors is merged into a single resistor component, reducing the total component count and device footprint while maintaining the ability to achieve multiple threshold levels through internal circuit switching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If traditional AGC threshold setting is used, then the circuit is simple, but measurement precision of threshold levels is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit simplicityVSAvoidthreshold level precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical approach of using multiple physical resistors is replaced with an electrical/control approach where a single resistor value is used with digitally controlled reference voltages to achieve precise threshold levels, improving precision while maintaining simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables reduced pin requirements and efficient AGC functionality by using a single external resistor to determine threshold levels, minimizing errors and maintaining device compactness while enhancing functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a current output digital-to-analog converter (IDAC) circuit configured to provide an adjustable specified current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDigital-to-Analog Conversion:

Implementation Method 2

a voltage sensing circuit configured to sense the voltage of the external resistor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage Sensing: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentUS8824701B2Determining automatic gain control levels

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 SEMICON COMPONENTS IND LLC

AI summary

An apparatus comprises an integrated circuit (IC) and a resistor external to the IC. The IC includes a current output digital-to-analog converter (IDAC) circuit configured to provide an adjustable specified current to a resistor external to the apparatus, a voltage sensing circuit configured to sense the voltage of the external resistor, and an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit configured to receive threshold information using the adjustable specified current.