HV Transmission Gate Biasing for LV-Controlled Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic power circuits face challenges in efficiently transmitting high-voltage signals while minimizing the number of monitoring paths and pins, particularly in handling both low-voltage and high-voltage levels without level translation or shifting, and requiring selection through low-voltage control signals.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a high-voltage transmission gate using series-connected high-voltage transistors with a common biasing node and a biasing circuit, which includes a diode and a pull-up device, allows for the activation and deactivation of the transistors using low-voltage control signals to transmit high-voltage signals through a common output path, reducing the need for multiple monitoring paths and pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate monitoring paths are used for low-voltage and high-voltage signals, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and pin count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines low-voltage and high-voltage signal transmission through a single monitoring path using a transmission gate circuit. The transmission gate uses complementary transistors (PMOS and NMOS) that can handle both voltage levels simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate monitoring paths while maintaining signal integrity and reducing pin count.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission gate circuit is designed to universally handle both low-voltage control signals and high-voltage monitored signals through the same physical path. The circuit structure allows it to perform multiple functions: transmitting control signals, transmitting high-voltage signals, and providing isolation when needed, all through a single monitoring path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If level translation circuits are added to handle both low-voltage and high-voltage signals, then signal compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission gate acts as an intermediary device between low-voltage control circuits and high-voltage signal sources. It enables direct coupling without level translation by using the gate's inherent ability to block or pass signals based on control voltage, thus maintaining signal compatibility while avoiding additional translation circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission gate circuit uses its own internal transistor structure to automatically adapt to different voltage levels. The complementary transistor pair self-regulates the signal transmission based on the control voltage applied to the gate, eliminating the need for external level translation circuits and reducing overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If multiple pins are used for signal monitoring, then signal transmission capability is improved, but ease of operation and pin count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple signal transmission functions into a single pin interface. The transmission gate allows bidirectional signal flow through one pin, combining control signal input and high-voltage signal output capabilities, thereby reducing the total pin count while maintaining full signal transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission gate provides dynamic signal routing capability through a single pin. The pin's function (input or output, high-voltage or low-voltage) dynamically changes based on the control voltage applied to the gate, allowing flexible operation without requiring multiple dedicated pins for different signal types.
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 solution enables efficient transmission of high-voltage signals with reduced pin count and eliminates the need for level translation, allowing for bidirectional operation and effective isolation between terminals, thereby enhancing the performance and efficiency of power circuit monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a diode having an anode that is selectively coupled to a low-voltage (LV) supply and a cathode connected to the common biasing node
Implementation Method 2
a capacitor connected between the common biasing node and the common source node
Data Source
AI summary
Circuits and methods for transmitting high-voltage (HV) static and/or switching signals via a high-voltage (HV) transmission gate controllable via low-voltage (LV) logic are presented. The HV gate includes a biasing circuit for generating a biasing voltage to gates of two series-connected HV transistors. According to one aspect, the biasing voltage is generated through a pull-up device coupled to a HV supply having a voltage level higher than a high voltage of a signal to be transmitted. According to another aspect, the biasing voltage is generated through a LV supply coupled to a diode, and a capacitor coupled between the gates and the sources of the HV transistors. When the gate is activated, the combination of the LV supply coupled to the diode and the capacitor generates a biasing voltage based on a sum of a voltage of the LV supply and an instantaneous voltage level of the signal being transmitted.