Isolation Barrier Waveform Transmission for Power and Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power transmission techniques face challenges in efficiently and simply transmitting both power and data across galvanic isolation barriers, particularly in high-voltage circuits where advanced and costly components are required to manage voltage transients, leading to increased power consumption and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing an isolation barrier, a drive controller to generate waveforms for data transmission, and a circuit controller powered by these waveforms, which filters and demodulates the signals to control circuits effectively, allowing for efficient transmission of power and multiple types of data across the isolation barrier without requiring expensive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If advanced components are used to transmit power and data across the isolation barrier, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power transmission and data transmission into a single waveform signal that crosses the isolation barrier. The drive controller generates a waveform that simultaneously carries both power and multiple data signals, eliminating the need for separate power and data transmission paths. This merging approach reduces component count while maintaining reliable transmission across the galvanic isolation barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitted waveform serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power to the circuit controller on the high-voltage side and carries multiple types of data signals (timing, control, status). This multi-functional approach allows a single transmission path to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated channels for power and data.
2Reliability
If advanced components are used to transmit power and data across the isolation barrier, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging power and data into a single waveform, the system eliminates redundant components that would each consume power independently. The unified transmission approach reduces overall power consumption while maintaining the reliability needed for safe operation across the isolation barrier.
3Reliability
If multiple separate transmission paths are used for power and data, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transmission functions into a single waveform that carries both power and multiple data signals simultaneously across the isolation barrier. This eliminates the need for separate power transmission components and data transmission components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining transmission reliability.
4Device complexity
If simple components are used for transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unified waveform transmission approach uses simple isolation barrier components while maintaining low power consumption by eliminating redundant transmission paths. The drive controller efficiently modulates the waveform to carry both power and data, and the circuit controller efficiently extracts both functions on the receiving side.
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 efficient and cost-effective transmission of power and data across isolation barriers, reducing complexity and power consumption by using a drive controller and circuit controller to generate and filter waveforms, thereby controlling circuits with low-latency timing and control data.
Implementation Method 1
Galvanic isolation barriers provide such a safety barrier and represent the dividing line between the high-voltage and low-voltage sides of a circuit
Implementation Method 2
a drive controller for generating a first waveform comprising a plurality of data signals for transmitting different types of data, wherein the gate drive controller couples the first waveform to a first side of the isolation barrier to produce a second waveform on a second side of the isolation barrier
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for transmitting combined power and data. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an isolation barrier; a drive controller for generating a first waveform comprising a plurality of data signals for transmitting different types of data, where the drive controller couples the first waveform to a first side of the isolation barrier to produce a second waveform on a second side of the isolation barrier; and a circuit controller coupled to the second side of the isolation barrier, where the circuit controller is powered by the second waveform, and where the circuit controller controls a circuit based on the plurality of data signals.