Configurable Power-On-Reset Circuit for Analog and Digital Tuners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated television tuners with digital circuits require power-on-reset signals for proper operation, but adding external power-on-reset circuitry increases the cost of TV modules due to compatibility issues with older analog tuners, which cannot provide external reset signals.
Innovation Solution
The development of externally configurable power-on-reset systems that utilize internal power-on-reset circuitry and reset control circuitry, allowing for operational configurations determined by external connections, enabling the use of either internal or external reset signals without requiring internal modifications to the integrated circuit or its packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external power-on-reset circuitry is added to provide reset signals to integrated circuits, then digital circuits can operate properly, but the cost of TV modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines internal power-on-reset circuitry with reset control circuitry within a single integrated circuit. The reset control circuitry monitors external reset signals and coordinates with internal POR circuitry to generate internal reset signals, eliminating the need for separate external POR circuitry and reducing overall system cost while maintaining proper digital circuit operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit is designed with multi-functional reset control circuitry that can operate in multiple modes: accepting external reset signals when provided, or generating internal reset signals when external signals are unavailable. This universal design allows the same IC to serve both analog TV tuners (which don't need external reset) and digital TV tuners (which require reset signals), eliminating the need for different IC designs and reducing manufacturing costs.
2Device complexity
If a single integrated circuit is used to satisfy both analog and digital TV tuner requirements, then device complexity is reduced, but compatibility with older analog tuners that cannot provide external reset signals becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The reset control circuitry is designed to dynamically adapt its behavior based on external conditions. It monitors whether an external reset signal is provided and automatically adjusts its operation: using external signals when available (for digital tuners) or generating internal signals when external signals are absent (for analog tuners). This dynamic adaptability allows a single IC design to work with both analog and digital TV tuner systems without requiring internal modifications or different packaging options.
Data Source
AI summary
Externally configurable power-on-reset systems and methods for integrated circuits are disclosed that utilize internal power-on-reset circuitry and reset control circuitry to provide operational configurations determined by external connections. In one configuration where no dedicated external reset signal is desired, the reset control circuitry relies upon the internal power-one-reset circuitry to generate the internal reset control signal. In another configuration where an external reset signal is utilized, the reset control circuitry relies upon the external reset signal, which overrides the internal power-on-reset circuitry, to generate the internal reset control signal. In further configurations, the reset control circuitry utilizes logic circuitry controlled through a digital interface to determine when the internal reset control signal can be de-asserted.