Isolation Channel Demodulator for Simultaneous Gate and Configuration Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing isolation communication systems require a second isolation channel to transmit configuration information, which consumes additional power and silicon area, and may be limited by package constraints, while also delaying critical gate signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a single isolation communication channel to simultaneously transmit gate and configuration information using modified on-off keying (OOK) modulation, allowing for dynamic drive strength control of the gate signal without affecting the main digital signal performance, by encoding configuration information into the modulation scheme and demodulating it using a demodulator circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a second isolation channel is used to transmit configuration information, then configuration information can be transmitted, but power consumption and silicon area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines gate information and configuration information into a single modulation signal transmitted over one isolation channel. The modulator encodes both types of information simultaneously by varying modulation parameters (frequency, amplitude, or phase) based on configuration information while the base signal carries gate information, eliminating the need for a second isolation channel and reducing power consumption and silicon area.
Solution Approach 2:
The single isolation channel is designed to perform multiple functions: transmitting both gate control information and configuration information. The modulator and demodulator are configured to extract both types of information from the same transmitted signal, making the communication system more efficient by consolidating multiple communication tasks into one channel.
2Loss of information
If a second isolation channel is used to transmit configuration information, then configuration information can be transmitted, but silicon area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmission of gate information and configuration information into a single isolation channel interface. By encoding configuration information as modulation parameters of the same signal carrier used for gate information, the system eliminates the need for additional isolation channel hardware, thereby reducing silicon area while maintaining full information transmission capability.
3Loss of information
If configuration information is transmitted separately, then configuration can be provided, but gate signal transmission is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous transmission of both gate information and configuration information simultaneously through the single isolation channel. The modulation scheme allows both data streams to be transmitted in parallel without taking turns, eliminating delays associated with sequential transmission while maintaining continuous useful action on the gate control path.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes a demodulator to demodulate a signal simultaneously transmitted over an isolation communication channel and obtain gate information and configuration information. The demodulator includes a gate demodulation path and a configuration demodulation path. The received signal oscillates at a first frequency to represent a first state, oscillates at different frequencies to represent a seconds state, oscillates at a third frequency (or third and fourth frequencies), which are lower than the first frequency, to represent a third state, and the received signal is steady state to represent a fourth state. The gate demodulation path detects the first and second states. The configuration demodulation path includes first and second sub-demodulation paths. An envelope detector in the first sub-demodulation path detects the second state and the second sub-demodulation path detects the third state. The configuration demodulation paths uses an output of the gate demodulation path.