Distributed Voltage Network Circuit for Accurate Current Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate current measurement within integrated circuits (ICs) is challenging due to varying voltage and current profiles across distributed elements, leading to inaccurate temperature estimations and reduced performance of temperature-based control functions.
Innovation Solution
A distributed voltage network circuit that calculates an average voltage across multiple areas of a distributed load circuit using a voltage distribution source component, resistive interconnects, and voltage tap nodes, coupled with resistive elements in a voltage averaging circuit to provide a more accurate measurement of current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If single-point voltage measurement is used in a distributed load circuit, then measurement simplicity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to varying voltage profiles across distributed elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the distributed load circuit into multiple measurement zones with separate voltage tap nodes distributed throughout the circuit. Each tap node independently samples voltage at its local position, transforming a single-point measurement system into a multi-point segmentation system that captures spatial voltage variations across the distributed circuit elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple individual voltage measurements from distributed tap nodes through resistive averaging elements that compute a weighted average voltage representing the entire distributed load circuit. This merging process integrates local measurements into a comprehensive circuit-wide voltage metric, resolving the contradiction between simple single-point measurement and accurate distributed measurement.
2Device complexity
If current measurement is performed at a single location in a distributed circuit, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to non-uniform current distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces resistive averaging elements as intermediary components that mediate between multiple voltage tap nodes and the measurement system. These averaging elements electrically combine the distributed voltage measurements without requiring complex digital processing or multiple independent measurement channels, thus maintaining device simplicity while achieving accurate distributed current measurement through voltage averaging.
3Measurement precision
If voltage averaging across distributed elements is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional circuit components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex digital signal processing systems or microcontroller-based averaging algorithms with an analog electrical averaging network using passive resistive elements. This substitution of mechanical/digital systems with an elegant analog electrical network achieves voltage averaging through fundamental circuit laws, improving measurement precision while minimizing device complexity through the use of simple passive components.
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
This approach allows for more accurate current measurement, improving the effectiveness of control systems that rely on current data to enhance IC performance by providing a representative voltage across the entire circuit, rather than relying on single-point measurements.
Implementation Method 1
Voltage is distributed from each source node to a corresponding voltage load node of the distributed load circuit via resistive interconnects within a distribution network
Implementation Method 2
Coupling the output nodes of each resistive element while the input node of each resistive element is coupled to a corresponding voltage tap node generates the average voltage of the distributed load circuit on the voltage output node
Data Source
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AI summary
Distributed voltage network circuits employing voltage averaging, and related systems and methods are disclosed. In one aspect, because voltage in one area of a distributed load circuit may vary from voltage in a second area, a distributed voltage network circuit is configured to tap voltages from multiple areas to calculate average voltage in the distributed load circuit. The distributed voltage network circuit includes a voltage distribution source component having source nodes. Voltage is distributed from each source node to a corresponding voltage load node via resistive interconnects. Voltage tap nodes access voltage from each corresponding voltage load node. Each voltage tap node is coupled to an input node of a corresponding resistive element in voltage averaging circuit. An output node of each resistive element is coupled to a voltage output node of the voltage averaging circuit, generating the average voltage of the distributed load circuit on the voltage output node.