Current-Based IC Communication With Integrated Sample Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits face challenges in efficiently communicating data with peripheral devices, particularly in providing synchronized clock signals and timing signals to ensure effective operation and data transfer without requiring external timers or additional circuitry.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a sample synchronization generator (SSG) that generates clock and timing signals to control current-based digital-to-analog converters (IDACs) and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), enabling current-based communication mechanisms between the integrated circuit and peripheral devices, such as line scan camera modules, without the need for external timers or additional circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external timers or additional circuitry are used to provide synchronized clock signals and timing signals, then reliable data transfer and synchronization can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the clock signal generation and timing signal generation functions into a single integrated sample synchronization generator circuit. This merging eliminates the need for separate external timers and additional circuitry, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable synchronization between the integrated circuit and peripheral devices through unified internal control
2Productivity
If current-based communication is implemented without external synchronization, then communication efficiency improves, but achieving reliable synchronization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated circuit performs self-synchronization by generating both clock and timing signals internally through the sample synchronization generator. This self-service approach eliminates dependency on external synchronization sources, improving communication efficiency while keeping the synchronization mechanism integrated and manageable within the existing circuit architecture
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes a current-based digital-to-analog converter (IDAC) including a clock input and including an output. The integrated circuit further includes a sample synchronization generator to provide a clock signal to a clock output terminal and a first timing signal related to the clock signal to the clock input of the IDAC. The sample synchronization generator controls the clock signal and the first timing signal to communicate a control signal to a peripheral module.