Galvanic Isolator Wake-Up Circuit With Signature Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing galvanic isolators face challenges in reducing power consumption, particularly when no data or power signals are being transmitted, and current solutions either suffer from inefficiencies or increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a wake-up signal transmitted across an isolation medium to power up a receiver from a sleep mode to an operating mode, with a signature pattern verification to enable data or power signal reception, allowing the receiver to consume reduced power during sleep mode and increasing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the receiver is kept in continuous operation mode to ensure immediate data reception, then data transmission readiness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver dynamically switches between sleep mode and operation mode based on wake-up signals. The system transitions from a static continuous-operation state to a dynamic state where the receiver can be rapidly activated when needed, resolving the contradiction between readiness and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing circuit performs preliminary monitoring in a low-power state, ready to detect wake-up signals. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain minimal awareness of incoming signals without full operational overhead, enabling quick transition to full operation when required.
2Use of energy by moving object
If an external discrete opto-coupler is used to send wake-up pulses, then power consumption is reduced, but board area and component cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wake-up signal transmission and data signal transmission are merged into a single isolation medium. The same isolation medium that blocks power transfer also carries the wake-up signals, eliminating the need for separate opto-coupler components and reducing board area while maintaining low power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation medium serves multiple functions: it provides galvanic isolation for power signals, transmits wake-up signals, and transmits data signals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated wake-up signal components, reducing overall system complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If an integrated DC-DC converter is used to provide isolated power supply, then power consumption is reduced, but power transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wake-up signal transmission function is extracted from the power transfer path. Instead of relying on DC-DC converter efficiency, the system uses dedicated wake-up signals that operate independently of power transfer losses, achieving low power consumption without compromising power transfer efficiency.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the receiver is kept in sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but susceptibility to noise glitches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing circuit continuously monitors for wake-up signals even while the receiver is in sleep mode. This feedback mechanism ensures that legitimate wake-up signals are detected while filtering out noise glitches, maintaining reliability while enabling low-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a wake-up signal verification process that cushions against noise glitches before fully activating the receiver. By requiring valid wake-up signal patterns and implementing verification logic, the system protects against premature activation from noise while maintaining responsiveness to legitimate signals.
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
This approach reduces power consumption on the sense side by keeping it in an ultra-low power sleep mode until activated, ensuring robustness against noise and transients, and allowing for efficient data or power signal transfer with lower operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a wake-up signal across an isolation medium from a transmitter to a receiver
Implementation Method 2
receiving, with the sensing circuit, the wake-up signal through the isolation medium
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, there is provided a method of reducing the amount of power consumed by a galvanic isolator. A transmitter transmits a wake-up signal to a receiver located across an isolation medium when the transmitter is ready or preparing to transmit data or power signals to a receiver, which is operably connected to a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit receives the wake-up signal through the isolation medium, which may be operably connected to and powered substantially continuously or intermittently by a first power source. In response to the sensing circuit receiving the wake-up signal, the receiver is powered up from a sleep mode to an operating mode. After a period of time tRDY has passed since the wake-up signal was transmitted, a signature pattern is transmitted from the transmitter to the sensing circuit through the isolation medium. Next, the sensing circuit or the receiver verifies the validity of the signature pattern. If the signature pattern is determined at to be valid, the receiver is enabled to receive the data or power signals from the transmitter. The transmitter then transmits the data or power signals from the transmitter through the isolation medium to the receiver.