EMP Protection Circuit With Counter For Surge Monitoring

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromagnetic pulse (EMP) protection circuits lack effective suppression of both fast and slow over-voltage surges and fail to provide timely replacement reminders, leading to potential hazards due to overdue components, causing insertion loss and damage to electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

An EMP protection circuit with a counter is introduced, comprising a lightning arrester and fast response protection circuit, where a counting circuit detects light emission or magnetic force variations to count action times, and includes series-connected ESD elements or capacitive reactance elements to reduce insertion loss and impede surge pulses, with a varactor providing voltage-dependent impedance to protect electronic elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a lightning arrester (LEMP protector) is provided before an existent communication electronic device, then slow over-voltage surges are suppressed, but fast-rise pulses are not protected against due to slower response time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidprotection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system is divided into two segments: a fast response protector (ESD protector) for fast-rise pulses and a lightning arrester (LEMP protector) for slow over-voltage surges. Each protector handles a specific type of surge, ensuring comprehensive protection without compromising response time or reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If a fast electrostatic discharge protector is provided after an IC, then fast over-voltage surges are suppressed, but large current EMP attacks cannot be resisted and cause heat damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidcurrent resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system is divided into two segments: a fast response protector (ESD protector) for fast-rise pulses and a lightning arrester (LEMP protector) for slow over-voltage surges. Each protector handles a specific type of surge, ensuring comprehensive protection without compromising response time or reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A resistive element is introduced as an intermediary between the fast response protector and the LEMP protector. This resistive element limits current flow to the fast response protector during large current EMP attacks, preventing overheating and damage while allowing the LEMP protector to handle the bulk of the surge current.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a fast response protector is directly connected, then fast surge protection is provided, but insertion loss of input signals increases affecting communication distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidinsertion loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A resistive element is introduced as an intermediary between the fast response protector and the LEMP protector. This resistive element limits current flow to the fast response protector during large current EMP attacks, preventing overheating and damage while allowing the LEMP protector to handle the bulk of the surge current.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If the LEMP protector action times are not monitored, then the circuit structure is simple, but hazards occur due to overdue use and failure to replace components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit structureVSAvoidprotection effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A counting circuit is added to monitor the action times of the LEMP protector and provide feedback when a preset threshold is reached. This feedback mechanism alerts users to replace the protector before it fails, ensuring continuous reliable protection without significantly increasing circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The EMP protection circuit with a counter effectively prevents damage from EMPs by reducing insertion loss and ensuring timely replacement of components, thereby ensuring intact protection and safety of electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

a counting circuit detects light emission or magnetic force variations to count the action times

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a counting circuit detects light emission or magnetic force variations to count the action times

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force variation detection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

The capacitive reactance element is a varactor whose capacitance varies with input voltage. Normally, the varactor has a high capacitance and thus a small impedance. When a strong over-voltage EMP occurs, the varactor has a low capacitance thus a high impedance.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage-dependent capacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS7990665B2Electro-magnetic pulse protection circuit with a counter

Publication Date: 2011.08.02 CHANG GUNG UNIVERSITY

AI summary

An EMP protection circuit with a counter has a surge protection circuit capable of suppressing EMP, and also use an extra counting circuit for sensing light emission or variation of magnetic force of the surge protection circuit to count the action times of the surge protection circuit, thereby warning that the surge protection circuit has reached its time-limit of use and has to be replaced. In this way, various kinds of electronic products can be more perfectly protected to avoid higher loss.