EOS Protection Circuit With Event Memory and Energy Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic systems face damage from electrical overstress events, such as electrostatic discharge, due to overvoltage conditions and high power dissipation, leading to issues like gate oxide punch-through and junction damage, with existing ESD protection circuits failing to store or report information about these events, affecting reliability in critical applications like automotive and healthcare.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising an electrical overstress protection device, a detection circuit, and a memory to detect and record information about electrical overstress events, with an optional reporting circuit to provide external information, and an energy harvesting mechanism to store charge associated with these events for later use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing ESD protection circuits are used, then electrical overstress protection is provided, but information about electrical overstress events cannot be stored or reported

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidinformation about electrical overstress events

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines ESD protection circuitry with detection circuitry and memory elements into an integrated system. The protection device and information storage components are merged into a single apparatus, allowing simultaneous protection and event recording functions that were previously separate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ESD protection circuit is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it provides electrical overstress protection while simultaneously detecting events, storing information about those events, and enabling reporting. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate protection and monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If electrical overstress protection devices are added, then protection against electrical damage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against electrical damageVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional components (protection device, detection circuit, memory, reporting circuit) are merged into an integrated ESD protection apparatus, reducing the need for separate discrete components and simplifying system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ESD protection circuit is designed to perform multiple functions including protection, detection, information storage, and reporting capabilities within a single integrated system, reducing overall device complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If energy harvesting from electrical overstress events is implemented, then power efficiency is improved, but additional circuitry is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidadditional circuitry

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful electrical overstress energy into a beneficial resource by harvesting it and storing it in a memory element. The energy that would otherwise be wasted or potentially damaging is captured and reused to power device operations, turning a negative into a positive asset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The device serves itself by harvesting energy from electrical overstress events and using that stored energy to power its own operations. The system becomes partially self-sufficient, using its own operational byproducts (electrical events) to maintain functionality and extend battery life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enhances the reliability of electronic systems by providing early indicators of adverse conditions, tracking the lifespan of devices, and using stored energy to improve power efficiency and prolong battery life, while enabling predictive maintenance and safer operations in harsh environments.

Implementation Method 1

The storage element can include, for example, a capacitor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

an electrical overstress steering device and a storage element configured to store charge associated with an electrical overstress event, in which the electrical overstress steering device is configured to provide energy associated with the electrical overstress event to the storage element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12140619B2Systems and methods for charge storage and providing power

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 ANALOG DEVICES INT UNLTD CO

AI summary

Aspects of this disclosure relate to detecting and recording information associated with electrical overstress (EOS) events, such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) events. For example, in one embodiment, an apparatus includes an electrical overstress protection device, a detection circuit configured to detect an occurrence of the EOS event, and a memory configured to store information indicative of the EOS event.