Dynamic Crossing Point Inverter for Duty Error Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inverter designs face issues with duty error and baseline wander due to fixed crossing points, which affect signal transitions and output levels.

Innovation Solution

An inverter circuit with a dynamic crossing point, utilizing tunable pull-up and pull-down circuits controlled by a control circuit to adaptively adjust the crossing point, allowing for earlier and more efficient signal transitions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a fixed crossing point inverter is used, then the circuit structure is simple, but the signal transition time is long and duty error occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transition timeVSAvoidcircuit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by making the crossing point dynamic rather than fixed. The control circuit adjusts the crossing point voltage based on the input signal characteristics, allowing the inverter to adapt to different signal conditions. This dynamic adjustment mechanism reduces signal transition time and eliminates duty error while maintaining reasonable circuit complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements Parameter changes by varying the crossing point voltage parameter according to input signal requirements. The control circuit modifies the threshold voltage dynamically, enabling the inverter to optimize its switching characteristics for different input conditions, thereby reducing transition time and preventing duty cycle distortion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a fixed crossing point inverter is used, then the circuit design is straightforward, but baseline wander occurs and output levels are unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput level stabilityVSAvoidcircuit design
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Feedback principle by implementing a control circuit that monitors the inverter's operation and adjusts the crossing point accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the output levels remain stable and reliable by compensating for baseline wander and other signal degradation effects, maintaining consistent performance across varying input conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements Self-service by enabling the inverter to automatically adjust its own crossing point through the control circuit. The system self-regulates to maintain optimal performance without requiring external intervention, thereby improving output level stability and eliminating baseline wander through autonomous adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the crossing point is fixed, then the inverter circuit is simple to implement, but it cannot address duty error and baseline wander issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduty error correction capabilityVSAvoidinverter circuit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by transforming the static crossing point into a dynamic parameter that can adapt to different signal conditions. The control circuit enables the inverter to adjust its crossing point in real-time, providing duty error correction capability and baseline wander compensation while maintaining implementation feasibility through automated control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4675922A1Inverter circuit with dynamic crossing point and method of adaptively adjusting crossing point of inverter circuit
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 AIROHA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
  • EP4675922A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4675922A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4675922A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An inverter circuit (100) includes a first metal-oxide-semiconductor, MOS, transistor (M1), a second MOS transistor (M2), a tunable pull-up circuit (102), a tunable pull-down circuit (104), and a control circuit (106). The first MOS transistor (M1) has a control terminal configured to receive a first input signal (IN), a first connection terminal, and a second connection terminal. The second MOS transistor (M2) has a control terminal configured to receive the first input signal (IN), a first connection terminal, and a second connection terminal coupled to the second control terminal of the first MOS transistor (M1). The tunable pull-up circuit (102) is coupled between the first connection terminal of the first MOS transistor (M1) and a first reference voltage (VDD). The tunable pull-down circuit (104) is coupled between the first connection terminal of the second MOS transistor (M2) and a second reference voltage (GND). The control circuit (106) adaptively adjusts pull-up strength of the tunable pull-up circuit (102) and pull-down strength of the tunable pull-down circuit (104).