Leakage-Compensated Voltage Detection for Low-Power Drop Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional voltage detection circuits fail to accurately detect voltage changes caused by current leakage, temperature variation, or process variation, and they consume excessive power due to constant active state requirements.

Innovation Solution

A voltage detection circuit incorporating a threshold voltage detection circuit, a current leakage compensation circuit, and a low-voltage detection circuit, where the current leakage compensation circuit amplifies voltage drops caused by current leakage, and the low-voltage detection circuit is activated only by trigger signals, reducing power consumption by eliminating the need for a fixed clock signal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the voltage detection circuit is kept in active state for continuous detection, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage detection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic sampling action by controlling the first switch to turn on only during specific sampling cycles triggered by clock signals, rather than maintaining continuous active detection. This periodic sampling approach allows the circuit to achieve necessary detection accuracy while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs self-service through the current leakage compensation circuit that automatically compensates for voltage drops caused by capacitor leakage during the detection process. This self-compensation mechanism ensures detection accuracy is maintained without requiring additional active monitoring resources, thereby reducing overall power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If a conventional voltage detection method is used, then the circuit structure is simple, but it cannot accurately detect voltage drops caused by current leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit structureVSAvoidvoltage drop detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a current leakage compensation circuit as an intermediary component that specifically addresses the voltage drops caused by capacitor leakage. This compensation circuit acts as a mediator between the power source voltage variations and the detection mechanism, isolating the detection from leakage effects and improving measurement accuracy without substantially increasing overall circuit complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the voltage detection function into two independent parts: the threshold voltage detection circuit for general voltage monitoring and the current leakage compensation circuit for specific leakage compensation. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall detection accuracy while maintaining reasonable circuit complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Speed

If the low-voltage detection circuit is activated continuously, then the response speed is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage detection response speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic activation of the low-voltage detection circuit based on clock signal triggers and sampling cycles, rather than continuous activation. The circuit is activated only when sampling conditions are met or when trigger signals indicate potential voltage issues, maintaining fast response capability for actual events while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the detection circuit monitors voltage conditions and generates trigger signals based on detected anomalies. This feedback-driven activation ensures the circuit responds quickly to actual voltage issues while remaining in a low-power state during normal operation, optimizing both response speed and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10411697B1Voltage detection circuit
Publication Date: 2019.09.10 NUVOTON
  • US10411697B1 patent drawing
  • US10411697B1 patent drawing
  • US10411697B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A voltage detection circuit is disclosed. The voltage detection circuit includes a threshold voltage detection circuit, a current leakage compensation circuit and a low voltage detection circuit. The threshold voltage detection circuit detects the voltage of a power source and determines whether the voltage is dropped over a threshold voltage, so as to wake up the low voltage detection circuit. The current leakage compensation circuit determines whether a voltage difference between the first voltage and the second voltage exceeds a preset value, so as to generate a trigger signal to activate the low voltage detection circuit. As a result, the voltage detection circuit can have high efficiency and low power consumption, and can detect the voltage drop more accurately in environment with current leakage, temperature variation, or process variation.