Isolation Control Logic for Dual Power Flow Power Domains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with multiple power domains face challenges in signal integrity due to un-determined signals when power domains are not powered, necessitating isolation paths and digital interfaces to manage power transitions efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A reset and safe state logic generation (RSSLG) circuit in the first power domain generates isolation control signals for isolation paths between power domains, enabling controlled signal transmission and disabling it when necessary, ensuring signal integrity during power-up and power-down sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If isolation paths are implemented between multiple power domains to prevent indeterminate signals, then signal integrity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional isolation circuits and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple isolation control functions into a single RSSLG circuit located in the first power domain. This circuit generates isolation control signals for multiple isolation paths simultaneously, merging what would otherwise be separate control mechanisms into one unified device, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining signal integrity across all power domain boundaries
Solution Approach 2:
The RSSLG circuit performs multiple functions: it generates reset signals, generates isolation control signals for multiple isolation paths, and manages power transition coordination. By making this single circuit multi-functional, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed, addressing the complexity issue while ensuring reliable signal isolation
2Reliability
If sequential power-up sequences are implemented in dual power flow modes, then signal indetermination is prevented, but power transition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RSSLG circuit generates isolation control signals in advance before actual power transitions occur. By preparing the isolation paths beforehand and ensuring they are properly configured before power domains are activated or deactivated, the circuit prevents signal indetermination without requiring extended power transition sequences, thus reducing the time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation paths act as intermediary elements between power domains with different power-up sequences. These paths, controlled by the RSSLG circuit, mediate signal transmission by enabling or disabling isolation based on the power state of connected domains, allowing coordinated power transitions without unnecessary delays
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple power domains operate independently with different power states, then energy efficiency is improved, but signal transmission reliability deteriorates due to un-determined signals from un-powered domains
Solution Approach 1:
Isolation paths serve as intermediary components between independently powered domains. These paths include isolation circuits that can be selectively enabled or disabled based on the power state of connected domains, ensuring that signals are only transmitted when both source and destination domains are properly powered, thus maintaining reliability while allowing independent power management
Solution Approach 2:
The RSSLG circuit implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring the power states of different domains and dynamically adjusting isolation control signals accordingly. This feedback ensures that isolation paths are properly configured based on real-time power domain states, preventing signal indetermination while allowing domains to operate independently for energy efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric device (100) includes: a first power domain (101); a second power domain (103); a third power domain (105), where during power-up, the third, the second, and the first power domains are configured to be powered up sequentially, where during standby-exit, the first, the second, and the third power domains are configured to be powered up sequentially; isolation paths (111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116) that provide controlled signal transmission among the first, the second, and the third power domains, where each isolation path includes an isolation circuit between an input power domain and an output power domain of the isolation path; and a control circuit in the first power domain, where for each isolation path, the control circuit is configured to generate an isolation control signal (ISO_CTRLS) for the isolation circuit, where the isolation circuit is configured enable or disable signal transmission along the isolation path.