Floating-Base Input/Output Circuit for Leakage Current Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional input/output circuits experience leakage currents between voltage sources and the base terminal of a switch element, leading to component damage and circuit malfunction due to voltage fluctuations between 0 V and 3.3 V.
Innovation Solution
An input/output circuit design that includes a floating voltage providing circuit, which ensures the base terminal of the switch element is constantly shorted with the larger voltage source, preventing leakage currents by providing the larger voltage between the first and second voltage sources to the base terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the base terminal FLOAT is electrically connected to one of the source or drain of the switch element, then the circuit structure is simple, but leakage current occurs between the voltage source and base terminal when voltages switch between 0V and 3.3V
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a floating voltage providing circuit as an intermediary between the voltage sources and the base terminal. This circuit includes additional transistors and voltage sources that actively manage the voltage at the base terminal, preventing direct leakage paths while maintaining circuit functionality. The intermediary circuit isolates the base terminal from direct exposure to voltage switching transients.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating voltage providing circuit performs preliminary action by pre-establishing appropriate voltage levels at the base terminal before the main switching operation occurs. By proactively controlling the base terminal voltage through additional transistors and voltage sources, the circuit prevents leakage current from occurring in the first place, rather than reacting to it after it appears.
2Adaptability or versatility
If PMOS transistor is used as switch element to prevent NMOS activation issues at high voltage, then the switch element can operate at both 0V and 3.3V, but leakage current still occurs at the base terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage control function by separating the main switching transistor from the base terminal voltage control circuitry. The floating voltage providing circuit is divided into additional transistors and voltage sources that independently manage the base terminal voltage, allowing the main PMOS transistor to handle high-voltage switching while the segmented control circuit prevents leakage at the base terminal.
3Speed
If the base terminal voltage follows the voltage source switching between 0V and 3.3V, then the circuit responds dynamically to voltage changes, but leakage current damages electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The floating voltage providing circuit acts as an intermediary that buffers and filters the voltage switching signals before they reach the base terminal. The additional transistors and voltage sources in this intermediary circuit prevent direct coupling between the rapidly switching voltage sources and the base terminal, thereby blocking leakage current while preserving the necessary voltage response capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An input/output circuit includes a first switch element, a control voltage providing circuit and a floating voltage providing circuit. The first switch element includes a control terminal, a first path terminal, a second path terminal and a base terminal. The first path terminal receive a first voltage, and the second path terminal receives a second voltage. The control voltage providing circuit provides a control voltage to the control terminal of the first switch element. The floating voltage providing circuit provides the larger between the first voltage and the second voltage to the base terminal of the first switch element, so as to prevent a leakage current from being generated between the first voltage source or the second voltage source and the base terminal of the first switch element.