Flying Level Shifter With Dynamic Blanking for Narrow Pulses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing level shifters operating in a flying high-voltage domain struggle to process narrow pulses effectively due to transient effects from flying events, which limits their ability to control high-voltage transistors in switch-mode power converters, especially when pulse widths are shorter than 10 nanoseconds.
Innovation Solution
A circuit with a flying event detector that replicates the main signal processing path to detect perturbations caused by flying events and generates a dynamic blanking control signal, allowing for real-time adjustment of blanking periods to accommodate shorter pulse widths, thereby enabling the processing of pulses as short as 5 nanoseconds or less.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed blanking period is used to protect against flying events, then reliability is improved, but the ability to process narrow pulses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing the fixed blanking period with a variable blanking period that adapts to the actual flying event duration. The flying event detector circuit dynamically adjusts the blanking period length based on real-time detection of flying events, allowing the system to extend blanking only when necessary and process narrow pulses when no flying events are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own internal signal paths to detect flying events and generate appropriate blanking control. The flying event detector circuit monitors the same signal paths that process timing information, allowing the system to self-regulate its protection mechanism without external intervention.
2Productivity
If the blanking period is reduced to process narrow pulses, then productivity is improved, but protection against flying events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the flying event detector circuit to monitor signal paths and provide control signals that adjust the blanking period dynamically. When flying events are detected, the feedback mechanism extends the blanking period to protect timing information; when no events are detected, the blanking period is reduced to enable narrow pulse processing.
3Reliability
If a replica signal processing path is added to detect flying events, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating a replica signal processing path that duplicates the main timing information path. This replica path is used specifically for detecting flying events without interfering with the primary timing signal processing, allowing independent monitoring and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The replica signal processing path serves multiple functions: it detects flying events, generates blanking control signals, and does so without adding significant complexity to the overall system. The same replica path structure can be used across different signal processing stages.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for generation of narrow pulses in a flying high-voltage domain that are used as a timing control signal are presented. A main signal processing path that generates the timing control signal is replicated and used to detect time and duration of perturbations due to flying events in the main signal processing path based on a fixed input level to the replicated path. Detected time and duration of the perturbations are used to generate a blanking control signal to the main signal processing path. According to one aspect, the main signal processing path may be part of a high side level shifter that operates in a flying high-voltage domain and used to control a high-voltage switching device.