Hearing Aid Wireless Transceiver On-Chip Trimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing aids with wireless transceivers face limitations in transmission range, manufacturing cost, and the need for external equipment to adjust resonance frequencies, leading to decreased performance and higher power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A wireless transceiver design with on-chip digital trimming capacitors that adjust resonance frequency during operation, using a switching arrangement to transform DC voltage into AC, allowing for compensation of manufacturing tolerances and varying resonance requirements without external equipment, and implementing drain extended transistors to sustain higher voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If off-chip capacitors are used in the transceiver, then voltage sustainability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capacitor functionality into the integrated circuit chip itself, eliminating the need for separate off-chip capacitors. The on-chip capacitors are formed using standard CMOS fabrication processes, integrating the resonance circuit components directly into the transceiver chip, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and device complexity while maintaining voltage sustainability through proper circuit design
Solution Approach 2:
The on-chip capacitors serve multiple functions: they form the resonance circuit for both transmitting and receiving operations, provide voltage sustainability comparable to off-chip capacitors, and enable digital trimming for frequency adjustment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external capacitor components and trimming equipment
2Strength
If off-chip capacitors are used for trimming, then voltage sustainability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trimming functionality is merged into the on-chip capacitor structure itself. Digital trimming is achieved by switching between different capacitor configurations or values using on-chip switches, eliminating the need for external trimming equipment and reducing device complexity while maintaining voltage sustainability through the integrated design
3Use of energy by moving object
If inductive radio is used for wireless communication, then power consumption is reduced, but transmission range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation mode switching between inductive and capacitive coupling modes. The transceiver can adaptively select the appropriate communication mode based on distance and power requirements, enabling extended transmission range while maintaining low power consumption through intelligent mode selection and dynamic parameter adjustment
4Manufacturing precision
If resonance frequency is adjusted using external equipment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transceiver performs self-trimming of its resonance frequency using on-chip digital trimming mechanisms. The device automatically adjusts its own capacitor values to achieve the desired resonance frequency without requiring external trimming equipment, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for external adjustment equipment
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 solution provides a hearing aid with an extended wireless transmission range, reduced manufacturing costs, and the ability to adjust resonance circuits during normal operation, while maintaining low power consumption and high voltage sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive antenna (101)
Implementation Method 2
the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit formed by the inductive antenna (101) and the trimming capacitor (104, 105) corresponds to a desired value
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A hearing aid comprising a wireless transceiver (100) having an inductive antenna (101) and a trimming capacitor (104, 105, 300, 404) with at least two parallel signal paths, wherein at least one of said signal paths comprises a first capacitor (309, 310, 311, 312), a second capacitor (301, 302, 303, 304) and a switching transistor (305, 306, 307, 308) arranged such that the switching transistor (305, 306, 307, 308) is coupled in parallel with said first capacitor (309, 310, 311, 312) and coupled in series with said second capacitor (301, 302, 303, 304), whereby the voltage drop across the switching transistor (305, 306, 307, 308), when the switching transistor is set to off, will be lower than the voltage applied across the trimming capacitor (104, 105, 300, 404) due to voltage division between said first capacitor (309, 310, 311, 312) and said second capacitor (301, 302, 303, 304). The invention also provides a method of fitting a wireless transceiver (100) for a hearing aid.