Self-Configuring IC Voltage Selection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and cost inefficiency of designing multiple motherboards to accommodate different voltage requirements for various SSD vendors, as each vendor uses a unique voltage rail, leading to increased design and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A circuit design that includes a voltage regulator and a voltage divider with multiple resistors, allowing devices from different vendors to automatically configure themselves to receive the appropriate voltage by grounding specific pins, eliminating the need for multiple motherboard designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motherboards are designed to accommodate different voltage requirements for various SSD vendors, then compatibility with different vendors' devices is improved, but design complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal motherboard design that can accommodate multiple SSD vendors with different voltage requirements through a single platform. The voltage selection circuit allows the same motherboard to automatically adapt to different voltage rails (1.2V, 1.8V, 3.3V) based on the connected device, eliminating the need for multiple specialized motherboard designs while maintaining compatibility across vendors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic voltage selection capability where the motherboard can automatically detect and switch between different voltage rails based on the requirements of the connected SSD device. This dynamic adaptation is achieved through a voltage selection circuit that can configure the power delivery according to the specific vendor's voltage requirements, allowing the system to flexibly respond to different device needs without manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motherboards are designed to accommodate different voltage requirements for various SSD vendors, then compatibility with different vendors' devices is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal motherboard design that can accommodate multiple SSD vendors with different voltage requirements through a single platform. The voltage selection circuit allows the same motherboard to automatically adapt to different voltage rails (1.2V, 1.8V, 3.3V) based on the connected device, eliminating the need for multiple specialized motherboard designs while maintaining compatibility across vendors.
3Power
If voltage regulators are placed outside the SSD to provide power, then power delivery capability is improved, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voltage selection circuit as an intermediary component between the external voltage regulator and the SSD device. This intermediary automatically detects the voltage requirements of the connected device and configures the appropriate voltage rail connection, thereby maintaining the power delivery capability of external regulators while eliminating the need for complex voltage management circuitry within each SSD device.
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
Enables vendors to create devices that automatically receive the correct voltage without human intervention, reducing design complexity and manufacturing costs by allowing a single motherboard to support multiple vendors' devices with different voltage requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage divider connected to the voltage regulator. The voltage divider may include a first resistor, a second resistor, and a third resistor
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a circuit includes (1) a voltage regulator, (2) a voltage divider that includes a first resistor, a second resistor, and a third resistor, and (3) a device that includes a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin. In the device, when the first pin is connected to the first resistor and to a ground (the second and third pin are unconnected), a voltage input of the device receives a first voltage from the voltage regulator. When the second pin is connected to the second resistor and to the ground (the first and third pin are unconnected), the voltage input receives a second voltage from the voltage regulator. When the third pin is connected to the third resistor and to the ground (the first and second pin are unconnected), the voltage input receives a third voltage from the voltage regulator.