Configurable Output Cell Voltage Amplitude Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aids require increased design flexibility and low power consumption due to limited power supply capacity and restricted input/output ports in existing integrated circuits.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with a configurable output cell that includes multiple power rails and pads, featuring drive transistors with specific terminal connections to adjust voltage amplitude based on control signals, allowing operation in different modes without increasing the number of pads and maintaining low power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of pads on the IC is increased to provide more output options, then the design flexibility is improved, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The output cell is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between different voltage amplitudes (first amplitude and second amplitude) through voltage select pins. This allows a single pad to serve multiple output requirements, eliminating the need for separate pads for different voltage levels and thereby reducing the total number of pads while maintaining design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The output cell incorporates dynamic switching capability through voltage select pins that allow the output voltage amplitude to be changed during operation. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the same hardware structure to adapt to different design requirements without physical changes, reducing the need for multiple static pads.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple output pads with different voltage amplitudes are provided, then the design flexibility is improved, but the power consumption increases due to additional current paths
Solution Approach 1:
A single output cell is designed to provide multiple voltage amplitude outputs (first and second amplitudes) through controlled switching. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate output cells and their associated power paths, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to provide different voltage levels when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates undesired current paths by carefully controlling which power supply pins are active based on the selected voltage amplitude. When operating in a specific mode, only the necessary power paths are enabled, removing unnecessary current flow and reducing power consumption.
3Device complexity
If the voltage amplitude is fixed for each output pad, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability for different hearing aid models is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The output cell incorporates dynamic voltage amplitude selection through voltage select pins, allowing the same output cell to be reconfigured for different voltage requirements. This dynamic capability enables compatibility with different hearing aid models without requiring different hardware configurations, as the voltage amplitude can be adjusted through control signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage amplitude parameter of the output cell based on control signals received at the voltage select pins. This parameter adjustment allows a single output cell design to accommodate different voltage requirements of various hearing aid models, maintaining adaptability while keeping the device complexity low through a unified design.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes at least one output cell including a first output cell having a ground pin connected to a ground rail, a first power supply pin connected to a first power rail, a second power supply pin connected to a second power rail, a data pin, at least one voltage select pin, and an output pin wired to the first output pad. The first output cell is configured to operate according to a first mode wherein the output pin has a first voltage amplitude, and according to a second mode wherein the output pin has a second voltage amplitude larger than the first voltage amplitude depending on a control signal applied to the at least one voltage select pin.