I2C Interface Device Address Encoding for Configuration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current I2C systems require additional hardware and power consumption for configuring sensor devices, which increases costs and reduces the operational lifespan of battery-powered devices due to the need for interrupt pins and additional communication efforts.

Innovation Solution

Encoding configuration information within the address frame of the SDA signal, eliminating the need for interrupt pins and additional wires, and allowing the I2C system to configure devices based on the received address frame, thereby reducing power consumption and hardware complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If interrupt pins and additional communication efforts are used for device configuration, then device configuration capability is improved, but power consumption increases and operational lifespan decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice configuration capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges device configuration information with the address frame transmission by encoding configuration bits within the existing address frame structure. This combines two separate communication functions (addressing and configuration) into a single transmission, eliminating the need for additional interrupt pins and communication efforts, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining full device configuration capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The address frame is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it identifies the target device address and encodes device configuration information. This multi-functional approach allows the I2C system to perform both addressing and configuration tasks through a single communication mechanism, eliminating the need for separate interrupt handling and reducing overall power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If interrupt pins and additional wires are added for device configuration, then device configuration capability is improved, but hardware complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice configuration capabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines device configuration functionality with the existing address frame structure, merging what would traditionally require separate hardware components (interrupt pins, additional wires) into the existing I2C communication protocol. This integration maintains full configuration capability while eliminating additional hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the configuration information from separate communication channels and embeds it directly within the address frame. This extraction and integration approach eliminates the need for dedicated interrupt pins and additional wiring, reducing hardware complexity while preserving configuration capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional communication efforts are made for device configuration, then device configuration capability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice configuration capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging configuration transmission with address frame transmission, the patent eliminates the need for additional interrupt pins and communication infrastructure. This reduction in hardware components directly lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining complete device configuration capability through the integrated approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250004977A1Inter-integrated circuit (i²c) interface with device address used for device configuration

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

A device is configured with a plurality of device addresses and a plurality of dedicated device configurations, with each device address being associated with one dedicated device configuration. The device includes an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) communication interface configured to receive a serial data line (SDA) signal that includes an address frame that identifies a target device for communication with a master device and a dedicated device configuration of the target device. The device includes a processing circuit configured to decode the address frame to identify the target device. Based on the device being the target device, the processing circuit is configured to decode the address frame to identify the dedicated device configuration corresponding to one dedicated device configuration of the plurality of dedicated device configurations of the device, and the processing circuit is configured to configure the device according to the dedicated device configuration identified based on the address frame.