Controller I/O Pin Mode Transition Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit transition methods, such as modulating power supply or overdriving I/O pins, are impractical for circuits with low drive resistance or those requiring a wide range of supply voltages, as they can cause excessive current or require unconventional voltage levels.
Innovation Solution
A circuit with a controller that initializes into an initial operation mode and transitions to multiple post-initial modes based on signals applied to I/O pins, allowing mode control without overdrive voltages, using configurable I/O pins that can switch between digital and analog modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power supply modulation is used to transition circuit modes, then mode transition capability is improved, but it becomes impractical for circuits requiring a wide range of supply voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism using I/O pins with configurable digital/analog modes to mediate mode transitions. Instead of directly modulating the power supply, the system uses voltage dividers and resistive networks at the I/O pins to create intermediate voltage levels that safely signal mode changes without requiring extreme voltage modulation, making it practical for circuits with wide voltage ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for mode transition from power supply voltage to I/O pin voltage levels. By configuring I/O pins as digital or analog inputs and applying specific voltage thresholds (e.g., VDD/2, VDD/3), the system achieves mode transition capability without modulating the main power supply, thus maintaining practicality for circuits requiring stable or wide voltage ranges.
2Adaptability or versatility
If I/O pin overdrive is used to transition circuit modes, then mode transition capability is improved, but excessive current flows through circuits with low drive resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces voltage dividers and resistive networks as intermediary elements between the I/O pin and the internal circuitry. These intermediaries limit the current flow while still allowing the I/O pin to drive the circuit into different modes. The voltage dividers convert the I/O pin voltage into safe internal voltage levels, preventing excessive current even when the I/O pin is overdriven.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements protective resistive networks and voltage clamping circuits beforehand to cushion against excessive current. These protective elements are built into the I/O pin structure, so that even if the pin is overdriven, the current is limited by the pre-configured resistors and voltage division ratios, preventing harmful current spikes.
3Device complexity
If configurable I/O pins are used for mode control, then pin count is reduced, but I/O pin flexibility is constrained by drive resistance limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each I/O pin universal by allowing it to be configured as digital input, digital output, analog input, or analog output through firmware control. The same physical pin can serve multiple functions depending on the operational mode, reducing the need for dedicated pins for each function while maintaining flexibility through software-configurable behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of I/O pin characteristics based on the current operational mode. The drive resistance, input impedance, and signal type (digital/analog) of each pin are dynamically adjusted via control registers, allowing the pin behavior to adapt to different modes without physical changes or additional pins.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit that includes a controller and at least one control I/O pin. When the controller is placed into an initial state, the controller initializes the circuit into an initial operation mode. Depending on whether or not signal(s) satisfying predetermined criteria are applied to at least one of the control I/O pins, the controller will cause the circuit to enter one of two or more post-initial operation modes. Accordingly, by initializing the controller, and by controlling a signal on the control I/O pin(s), the operating mode of the circuit may be controlled. In one embodiment, a given control pin might be configurable to be both analog and digital, depending on the circuit's operation mode.