Integrated Circuit Broken-Wire Detection on Supply and Ground Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits face challenges in detecting and communicating breaks in connections between terminals and external circuits, which are essential for proper functioning and diagnostic purposes.
Innovation Solution
The integrated circuit includes a supply terminal, a ground terminal, an output terminal, and circuitry with switches and a body bias circuit to prevent current flow if a break occurs in either the ground or supply connection, allowing for the detection and indication of faults through a predetermined signal level on the output terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the integrated circuit operates with external connections, then proper functioning is enabled, but breaks in connections can occur causing fault conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection of connection breaks before they affect normal operation. The control circuit continuously monitors connections between terminals and external circuits, detecting breaks in advance and activating indicator signals to warn of impending faults before they cause system failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the control circuit monitors connection status and provides real-time information about break conditions. The indicator signal serves as feedback to external diagnostic or control circuitry, enabling continuous monitoring and immediate response to connection faults.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If connection breaks are detected, then fault conditions can be identified, but additional circuitry is required to detect and communicate breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs multiple functions: it monitors both ground and supply connections, detects various types of breaks, and generates indicator signals for external communication. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate detection systems into a single integrated circuit, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit monitors its own connection status autonomously without requiring external monitoring equipment. The control circuit self-detects breaks in connections and self-generates indicator signals, eliminating the need for additional external detection circuitry and simplifying the overall system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If current flow is prevented during fault conditions, then damage is avoided, but circuitry is needed to control current flow
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit combines detection and current control functions into a single integrated unit. When a break is detected, the same control circuit automatically activates the indicator signal and controls current flow prevention, eliminating the need for separate detection and protection circuitries and reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An integrated circuit includes circuitry to sense the occurrence of a break in a ground connection and/or supply connection and to indicate same to an exterior environment. In at least one implementation, the break may be indicated by providing a signal on an output terminal of the device that is not associated with a normal output of the device.