IC Ground Line Diagnostics Using Dual Grounds and Rectification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated circuit devices fail to reliably detect poor ground line openings due to varying load connections and drive circuit states, leading to potential malfunctions and characteristic deterioration.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit device with a diagnostic circuit that measures potential differences between separate ground lines using a bidirectional rectifying element and a diagnostic current supply circuit to ensure reliable detection of ground line openings, regardless of load connection or drive circuit state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a voltage shift detection method using ESD diode forward voltage is used to detect power ground opening, then ground opening detection is enabled, but reliable detection cannot be obtained when drive circuit is stopped or load connection varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a diagnostic current supply circuit that proactively supplies a predetermined current to the power ground line before normal operation. This ensures that a stable potential difference can be generated between power ground and logic ground lines even when the drive circuit is stopped or load connection varies, enabling reliable ground opening detection under all operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a bidirectional rectifying element connected between the power ground line and logic ground line. This rectifying element acts as a mediator to establish a predictable voltage relationship between the two ground lines, allowing the diagnostic circuit to reliably detect ground opening by measuring potential difference, regardless of drive circuit state or load connection.
2Reliability
If ground lines of drive circuit and control circuit are separated and connected via different GND terminals, then control circuit malfunction due to ground noise is prevented, but potential fluctuation due to poor GND terminal connection affects the drive circuit ground line more significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic current supply circuit proactively supplies a predetermined current to the power ground line (drive circuit ground line) before normal operation. This preliminary action ensures that a sufficient potential difference is established between the power ground and logic ground lines, enabling reliable detection of poor GND terminal connections that cause potential fluctuation, without affecting normal control circuit stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a diagnostic circuit to continuously monitor the potential difference between power ground and logic ground lines. When poor GND terminal connection is detected (indicated by abnormal potential difference), the system can trigger protective actions such as stopping the drive circuit or activating warnings, providing feedback-based protection against the harmful effects of ground potential fluctuation.
3Measurement precision
If current flowing through power ground in open state flows to load via drive circuit instead of logic ground, then detection method fails, but load connection state varies
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic current supply circuit supplies a predetermined current to the power ground line before normal operation begins. This preliminary current ensures that when ground opening occurs, a stable and detectable potential difference is generated between power ground and logic ground lines through the bidirectional rectifying element, regardless of how the load is connected or whether the drive circuit is operating.
Solution Approach 2:
The bidirectional rectifying element serves as an intermediary that creates a predictable electrical relationship between the power ground and logic ground lines. This intermediary component ensures that the diagnostic current has a defined path and that the potential difference measurement remains accurate and reliable regardless of varying load connection states or drive circuit operation conditions.
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
Ensures certain and reliable detection of ground line openings, preventing malfunctions and maintaining circuit performance by interrupting load current supply when abnormalities are detected.
Implementation Method 1
a bidirectional rectifying element connected between the first ground line and the second ground line
Data Source
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AI summary
Poor opening is detected with certainty and reliability with respect to a ground line of an integrated circuit device regardless of the connection state of a load and the operating state of a drive circuit. In an integrated circuit device 10, a drive circuit 30 switches between conduction and interruption of a load current using switch elements 40 and 45. The ground line 31 is grounded via the GND terminal 32 to the common ground provided outside the integrated circuit device 10 and is connected to the drive circuit 30. The ground line 21 is grounded to the common ground via the GND terminal 22 and is connected to the control circuit 20. The diagnostic current supply circuit 90 supplies a predetermined diagnostic current to the ground line 31. The rectifying elements 61 and 62 are connected between the ground line 21 and the ground line 31. The diagnostic circuit 70 measures the potential difference between the ground line 31 and the ground line 21 and compares the potential difference with the predetermined comparison voltage 73 to diagnose the grounding state of the ground line 31.