DC Voltage Monitoring via Recursive Level Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating the value of a DC voltage with respect to multiple voltage levels are inefficient, requiring multiple comparisons and increasing power consumption due to the need for numerous voltage comparators.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that select intermediate voltages to define subsets, compare these subsets with a reference voltage, and recursively refine the comparison process to estimate the main DC voltage relative to multiple voltage levels, reducing the number of necessary comparisons and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to estimate DC voltage with respect to multiple voltage levels, then voltage comparison accuracy is maintained, but the number of comparators and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the set of voltage levels into multiple subsets through iterative segmentation. In each iteration, the current set of voltage levels is partitioned into two subsets based on comparison with a reference voltage, and only the subset containing the target voltage is processed in the next iteration. This segmentation approach reduces the number of comparators needed from being proportional to the total number of voltage levels to being proportional to the logarithm of the number of voltage levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a recursive iterative dimension to the voltage comparison process. Instead of performing all comparisons in parallel at one level, the method organizes comparisons across multiple iterations, where each iteration operates on a reduced subset of voltage levels. This dimensional transformation from a single-level parallel comparison to a multi-level sequential comparison reduces hardware complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Reliability
If traditional methods are used to estimate DC voltage with respect to multiple voltage levels, then all voltage levels can be monitored, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage monitoring task into iterative phases, where only a subset of voltage levels is actively monitored in each phase. By dividing the complete set of voltage levels into smaller subsets and processing them sequentially through multiple iterations, the power consumption is reduced while still achieving complete voltage monitoring coverage over the course of all iterations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic iterative action to monitor all voltage levels. The voltage comparison process is organized into repeated cycles or iterations, where each iteration monitors a specific subset of voltage levels. Through multiple periodic iterations, all voltage levels are monitored over time, achieving comprehensive voltage monitoring coverage while reducing instantaneous power consumption compared to monitoring all levels simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to estimate DC voltage with respect to multiple voltage levels, then voltage estimation is performed, but calibration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the calibration process into iterative stages corresponding to the voltage level subsets. Each iteration requires calibration only for the comparators used in that specific iteration's subset comparison, rather than calibrating all comparators simultaneously. This segmented calibration approach reduces the overall calibration complexity while maintaining voltage estimation accuracy across all voltage levels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively estimates the value of a main DC voltage with respect to multiple voltage levels, decreasing the number of voltage comparisons and power consumption, while simplifying the calibration process and reducing the number of necessary reference voltages and comparators.
Implementation Method 1
a second circuit, preferably a resistive voltage dividing bridge, configured to generate the DC voltages from a main voltage
Implementation Method 2
at least one first comparator of the first voltage with a reference voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes selecting at least one first voltage that defines subsets of DC voltages from among an ordered set of DC voltages, comparing the first voltage with a DC reference voltage, selecting one of the subsets based on a result of the comparing, and comparing each voltage of the selected subset with the reference voltage.