Isolated Gate Driver Transmitter for Single-Channel Dual Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing isolation communication systems require multiple isolation channels to transmit both gate and configuration information, which increases power consumption and silicon area, and often face package limitations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that transmit both gate and configuration information simultaneously over a single isolation communication channel using modified on-off keying (OOK) modulation, allowing frequency modulation to distinguish between different states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple isolation communication channels are used to transmit both gate and configuration information, then information transmission completeness is improved, but power consumption and silicon area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines gate information and configuration information transmission into a single isolation communication channel by using frequency modulation. The modulated signal encodes both types of information simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate channels and thereby reducing power consumption and silicon area while maintaining complete information transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frequency as an additional dimension for information encoding. By modulating the frequency of the isolation communication channel signal to represent different states (including both gate and configuration information), the system achieves multi-information transmission without requiring additional physical channels, thus reducing power and area requirements.
2Loss of information
If multiple isolation communication channels are used to transmit both gate and configuration information, then information transmission completeness is improved, but silicon area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmission functions of multiple isolation communication channels into a single channel by utilizing frequency modulation to encode both gate and configuration information. This consolidation reduces the number of required channels, thereby decreasing silicon area consumption while preserving complete information transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages frequency as an additional encoding dimension within a single communication channel. By using frequency modulation to distinguish between different information states (gate signals and configuration data), the system achieves comprehensive information transmission without expanding the physical channel footprint, thus reducing silicon area.
3Reliability
If traditional isolation communication is used, then circuit isolation is maintained, but precise control over system load is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control capability within the isolated communication system by using frequency modulation that can vary between at least two frequencies to indicate different states. This dynamic encoding allows the receiver to distinguish between multiple control conditions (gate on/off and configuration settings) while maintaining circuit isolation, thereby achieving precise control over the system load without compromising isolation reliability.
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
Reduces power consumption and silicon area usage while maintaining precise control over the system load by efficiently transmitting multiple types of information without delaying the critical gate signal.
Implementation Method 1
The modulation circuit is configured to generate the modulated signal using frequency modulation to generate one of the four states and wherein a frequency of the modulated signal varies between at least two frequencies to indicate the one of the four possible states
Data Source
AI summary
An isolated gate driver includes a first input terminal to receive gate information and one or more input terminals to receive configuration information. A modulation circuit generates a modulated signal having four possible states, each of the four possible states corresponding to a different unique pair of values of the gate information and the configuration information. The modulation circuit represents two of the states using on-off keying (OOK) while the configuration information is at a first value and represents two of the states as a modification to the OOK modulation based on the configuration information being at a second value. The modulated signal is sent over an isolation communication channel coupling a transmitter and receiver of the isolated gate driver.