Digital Power-On Detection Circuit Using Flip-Flop and Comparator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power-on detection circuits require analog circuits, which are process-dependent, costly, and occupy significant space, making them inefficient and costly to develop as semiconductor technology advances.

Innovation Solution

A digital power-on detection circuit utilizing a flip-flop circuit to store data and a comparator to output a power-on detect flag based on comparison with a fixed value, reducing dependency on semiconductor process rules and simplifying circuit design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an analog circuit (time constant circuit and voltage detection circuit) is used to detect power-on, then power-on detection function is achieved, but circuit size becomes large and development cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower-on detection functionVSAvoidcircuit size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the analog circuit system with a digital circuit system. Specifically, it substitutes the time constant circuit and voltage detection circuit with a flip-flop circuit and comparator that operate in the digital domain. This substitution dramatically reduces circuit size while maintaining the power-on detection function, as digital circuits are more compact and process-compatible than their analog counterparts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters from analog voltage levels to digital logic levels. By detecting power-on through digital signal transitions (0 to 1) rather than analog voltage threshold detection, the circuit achieves the same functional goal with significantly reduced component count and smaller footprint, directly addressing the circuit size issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If an analog circuit is used to detect power-on, then power-on detection function is achieved, but circuit complexity increases and process adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower-on detection functionVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex analog circuit system with a simpler digital circuit system. The time constant circuit and voltage detection circuit are substituted with a flip-flop circuit and comparator that operate in the digital domain. This substitution reduces circuit complexity while maintaining the power-on detection function, as digital circuits are more straightforward to design and less sensitive to process variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If an analog circuit is used to detect power-on, then power-on detection function is achieved, but development time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower-on detection functionVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameters from analog to digital, which fundamentally simplifies the development process. Digital circuits are more compatible with standard semiconductor fabrication processes, reducing the need for process-specific customization. This parameter change leads to shorter development cycles and lower costs, as digital design methodologies are more mature and transferable across different process nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8190928B2Power-on detection circuit and microcontroller
Publication Date: 2012.05.29 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AMERICAS CORP
  • US8190928B2 patent drawing
  • US8190928B2 patent drawing
  • US8190928B2 patent drawing

AI summary

There is provided a power-on detection circuit including: a flip-flop circuit storing an indefinite value at the time of power-on and outputting plural-bit data; and a comparator comparing the plural-bit data output from the flip-flop circuit and a plural-bit fixed value and outputting a power-on detect flag depending on a comparison result thereof.