Digital Power Supply Detection Circuit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insufficient-supply detectors in battery-powered products often consume additional power and are not frequently enabled due to their size and power consumption, leading to undetected under-voltage conditions, which can result in undesired product behavior.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for detecting insufficient power supply using a current multiplier and digital counter to dynamically assess the current sourcing capability of a power source, generating an overflow output when the current sourcing capability falls below a threshold, and triggering a compensatory response such as load shedding or alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing insufficient-supply detectors are used to monitor voltage supplied by power source, then under-voltage conditions can be detected, but the detectors consume additional power and have large physical size
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing operational parameters (voltage and current measurements already taken for other purposes) to detect insufficient supply conditions, eliminating the need for dedicated detection circuits. The processor leverages data it already collects during normal operation to determine when current sourcing capability falls below thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor performs multiple functions: it manages power source operations, monitors system state, and detects insufficient supply conditions using the same hardware resources. This multi-functionality eliminates dedicated detection circuits and their associated power consumption and size.
2Reliability
If existing insufficient-supply detectors are enabled continuously to ensure detection accuracy, then under-voltage conditions are reliably detected, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs detection at periodic intervals based on operational thresholds rather than continuously. The processor evaluates insufficient supply conditions at specific moments during operation, achieving reliable detection while minimizing power consumption by keeping the detection logic dormant between evaluations.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor integrates detection functionality into its existing operational cycle, using the same processing resources already allocated for system management. This eliminates dedicated detection circuits that would consume power continuously, as the detection is performed as part of the processor's normal operational self-monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated analog comparators and reference voltage generation circuits are used for detection, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces analog comparison circuits with digital processing. Instead of using analog comparators and reference voltage circuits, the processor digitally evaluates voltage and current measurements against predefined thresholds, achieving equivalent detection precision with simpler, more integrated digital logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses digital representations of voltage and current measurements that are already captured by the system's existing measurement infrastructure. Rather than building dedicated analog detection circuits, the processor works with digital copies of the electrical parameters, simplifying the detection architecture.
4Reliability
If voltage monitoring is performed substantially continuously to account for internal impedance variations, then detection reliability is improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs monitoring at periodic intervals triggered by operational events or threshold conditions rather than continuously. This approach accounts for internal impedance variations by checking at relevant moments in the operational cycle, maintaining reliability while reducing complexity and power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from operational parameters to trigger detection evaluations. When measurements indicate conditions that may suggest insufficient supply (such as voltage drops or current limitations), the processor initiates detection routines, creating an event-driven monitoring approach that maintains reliability without continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and device provide for the detection of insufficient supplied power supplied to a device. A current multiplier of the device, operable as a voltage regulator, is coupled to the power source, receives a clock signal, and generates a control signal. A digital counter, clocked by the clock signal and reset by the control signal, generates an overflow output in response to an overflow condition of the digital counter that indicates that the current sourcing capability of the power source has fallen below a current threshold of the device. A compensatory response by the device in response to the detection of insufficient supplied power may be provided as well.