Charge-Based Counting Circuit for Irregular Pulse Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional counting circuits in power chips are unable to handle irregular, random, discontinuous, linear, or analog pulse signals, leading to operational failures and increased complexity and cost due to the need for signal filtering and processing.
Innovation Solution
A novel counting circuit incorporating a charge counter module with a pulse processing module, a voltage comparison module, and a signal processing module, which converts input pulse signals into micro pulses for charging a capacitor, allowing counting based on voltage storage, thereby adapting to various pulse signal types and resisting interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional counting circuits are used, then digital pulse signals with specified frequencies or duty cycles can be counted, but irregular pulse signals (random, discontinuous, linear or analog) cannot be handled and the circuit may fail to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from digital voltage levels to analog charge accumulation. The counting circuit responds to the integral effect of pulse signals by accumulating charge on a capacitor, transforming the counting mechanism from discrete voltage detection to continuous charge integration, thereby adapting to various pulse signal types including irregular ones
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary element between the pulse input and the counting output. The capacitor accumulates charge from incoming pulses, serving as a mediator that converts various pulse forms into a unified charge accumulation process, enabling the circuit to handle irregular signals reliably
2Measurement precision
If signal filtering and processing are added to handle irregular pulse signals, then counting accuracy can be maintained, but circuit complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential counting function from complex signal processing chains. By focusing solely on charge accumulation rather than detailed signal analysis, the circuit achieves counting accuracy without requiring filtering, processing, or microprocessor intervention, thereby reducing circuit complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor-based counting mechanism is self-service in nature, automatically accumulating charge from any incoming pulse signal without requiring external filtering or processing circuits. The circuit serves itself by directly converting pulse energy into charge accumulation, eliminating the need for additional complexity-reducing components
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 enables independent counting of continuous or discrete pulse signals, provides high resistance to interference, and adapts to different pulse waveforms and frequencies, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional counting circuits.
Implementation Method 1
The first transistor is configured to convert a received pulse signal into a first current
Implementation Method 2
The current mirror is configured to mirror the first current to a second current
Implementation Method 3
the second transistor is configured to convert the second current into a counting current and transfer it to the first capacitor
Implementation Method 4
The first capacitor is configured to receive the counting current and store charge carried by the counting current
Implementation Method 5
The voltage comparison module is configured to output a trigger signal in the event of the voltage of the first capacitor rising beyond the reference voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A counting circuit and a chip are disclosed. The counting circuit includes a charge counter module including a pulse processing module and a first capacitor. The pulse processing module is configured to covert a received pulse signal into a counting current and to transfer the converted counting current to the first capacitor. The first capacitor is configured to receive the counting current and store charge carried in the counting current. The counting circuit takes a voltage of the first capacitor as a basis for counting. The input voltage pulse signal is converted into a current signal in the form of micro pulses for charging the non-variable capacitor, and a counting result is obtained by detecting the voltage of the first capacitor, achieving the following advantages: no need to take care of whether the input pulse signal is continuous or discrete; high resistance to interference; adaptiveness to various input pulse signals of different waveforms and/or with different frequencies; and the ability to solve the problem with the conventional counting circuits that they may not be able to cope with irregular pulse signals and may even not be able to operate normally when such an irregular pulse signal is input.