Drive-Sense Circuit Single-Line Communication Protocol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data communication systems face challenges in efficiently processing and interpreting signals from diverse sensors and actuators, particularly in applications requiring simultaneous driving and sensing operations, which can lead to interference and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of drive-sense circuits that can simultaneously drive and sense signals via a single line, using frequency diverse e-pen systems to differentiate and process signals from sensors and actuators, enabling efficient communication and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If simultaneous driving and sensing operations are performed on the same communication line, then communication efficiency and productivity are improved, but signal interference and measurement precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The communication protocol segments the communication process into distinct phases: a driving phase where the host device sends drive signals to the e-pen, and a sensing phase where the e-pen sends sensor signals back to the host. This temporal segmentation allows simultaneous driving and sensing operations to occur without signal interference, as each phase is isolated in time while maintaining high communication efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If frequency diverse signaling is used to differentiate sensor and actuator signals, then signal differentiation and measurement precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes frequency as a distinguishing parameter for different signal types. Drive signals operate at a first frequency while sensor signals operate at a second frequency, allowing the host device and e-pen to differentiate between signal types through frequency detection. This parameter-based differentiation simplifies the overall system architecture compared to using separate communication channels, as frequency discrimination can be implemented through standard signal processing techniques.
3Reliability
If multiple communication lines are used for driving and sensing, then signal interference is reduced, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both driving and sensing communication functions into a single shared communication line between the host device and e-pen. By merging these functions and using temporal phase separation along with frequency differentiation, the system achieves reliable signal transmission without the need for multiple separate communication lines, thereby reducing device complexity and power consumption while maintaining signal integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
An e-pen includes e-pen sensor electrodes (including a first and a second e-pen sensor electrode) and drive-sense circuits (DSCs) (including a first DSC and a second DSC. The first DSC drives a first e-pen signal having a first frequency via a first single line coupling to the first e-pen sensor electrode and simultaneously senses, via the first single line, the first e-pen signal. Based on e-pen/touch sensor device interaction, the first e-pen signal is coupled into at least one touch sensor electrode of the touch sensor device. The first DSC process the first e-pen signal to generate a first digital signal representative of a first electrical characteristic of the first e-pen sensor electrode. Similarly, the second DSC drives a second e-pen signal having a second frequency via a second single line coupling to the second e-pen sensor electrode and simultaneously senses, via the second single line, the second e-pen signal.