Current-Mirror Idle Detection Circuit for Low-Power Receivers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical signal detection circuits face issues with high power consumption and large circuit area due to the need for high power supply voltage and large transistors, and electrical idle detectors using source followers suffer from signal attenuation and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A detection circuit that includes a differential input circuit, a current mirror circuit, and a comparator circuit, which generates differential detection currents and compares them with a reference voltage to determine if differential input voltages are in an idle mode, allowing for reduced power supply voltage, smaller transistors, and lower power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a differential amplifier circuit is used for optical signal detection, then the detection function is achieved, but power consumption increases and circuit area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection functionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameters by using a current mirror circuit instead of a traditional differential amplifier, operating at lower power supply voltages (0.8V or lower) and using smaller transistor sizes while maintaining detection functionality through current-mode signal processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the voltage amplification mechanism with a current mirror mechanism, replacing the traditional voltage-based differential amplifier with a current-based detection approach that uses current mirrors to generate and compare detection currents, thereby reducing power consumption and circuit area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a differential amplifier circuit is used for optical signal detection, then the detection function is achieved, but circuit area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection functionVSAvoidcircuit area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the circuit configuration parameters by adopting a current mirror-based detection circuit with smaller transistor sizes and reduced power supply voltage, which significantly decreases the required circuit area while maintaining the detection function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the voltage amplification system with a current mirror system, which requires smaller transistor dimensions and less circuit area while achieving the same detection objective through current-mode operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a source follower is used for electrical idle detection, then the detection function is achieved, but signal attenuation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection functionVSAvoidsignal attenuation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the detection approach by using a current mirror circuit that actively generates detection currents proportional to the input voltages, rather than passively following the voltage signal, thereby avoiding signal attenuation and providing sufficient signal level for accurate idle mode detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If a source follower is used for electrical idle detection, then the detection function is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection functionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the circuit topology from a source follower to a current mirror-based detection circuit, which operates with lower power consumption by using current-mode signal processing and smaller transistor sizes while maintaining the detection function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240088851A1Detection circuit, reception circuit, and semiconductor integrated circuit

Publication Date: 2024.03.14 SOCIONEXT INC

AI summary

A detection circuit includes: a differential input circuit configured to receive differential input voltages and generate first differential detection currents corresponding to the differential input voltages; a detection current generation circuit configured to form a current mirror circuit with the differential input circuit and generate second differential detection currents corresponding to the first differential detection currents; a detection voltage generation circuit configured to receive the second differential detection currents and generate a detection voltage having a voltage corresponding to the second differential detection currents; and a comparator circuit configured to compare the detection voltage and a reference voltage and output a signal indicating whether or not the differential input voltages are in a voltage state representing a given idle mode.