Light Detector Circuit Sharing AC Clock and Wireless Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor devices for light detection, such as image sensors and ToF sensors, face challenges in reducing circuit area while maintaining effective light detection and wireless communication capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device is designed with a light detector, phase synchronizing circuit, modulation circuit, wired transmission circuit, and wireless transmission circuit, where the phase synchronizing circuit generates an AC signal modulated by the modulation circuit, used as a clock signal for wired transmission and transmitted wirelessly, allowing for a smaller circuit area by integrating these functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate circuits are used for light detection and wireless communication, then each function can be performed independently, but the circuit area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light detection circuit and wireless communication circuit into a single integrated semiconductor device. The light detector includes multiple light-receiving pixels that detect light, while the wireless transmission circuit transmits detected information wirelessly. This merging reduces the overall circuit area while maintaining both functions within one device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductor device is designed with multi-functionality, where the same device structure supports both light detection and wireless communication functions. The phase synchronizing circuit generates AC signals that are used for modulating wireless transmission, while the light detector processes optical inputs. This universal design allows the device to perform multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each function.
2Device complexity
If AC signal is used for both wired transmission clock and wireless modulation, then circuit complexity is reduced, but signal interference may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The phase synchronizing circuit generates periodic AC signals at specific frequencies that serve dual purposes: as clock signals for wired transmission and as modulated signals for wireless communication. By using periodic signals with carefully selected frequencies, the system achieves circuit simplification while managing interference through frequency domain separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The AC signal generated by the phase synchronizing circuit acts as an intermediary that mediates between the light detection function and both wired and wireless transmission functions. This intermediary signal is modulated by the modulation circuit to carry information for wireless transmission while simultaneously serving as the clock reference for wired transmission, thereby reducing the need for separate signal generation circuits.
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
This configuration enables efficient light detection and wireless communication, reducing electromagnetic interference and circuit size, while allowing exclusive operation of imaging and wireless communication to prevent signal quality deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
a light detector including a plurality of light-receiving pixels configured to detect light
Implementation Method 2
a phase synchronizing circuit configured to generate an AC signal
Implementation Method 3
a modulation circuit configured to modulate the AC signal by controlling an operation of the phase synchronizing circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device of the present disclosure includes a light detector that includes a plurality of light-receiving pixels configured to detect light, a phase synchronizing circuit configured to generate an AC signal, a modulation circuit configured to modulate the AC signal by controlling an operation of the phase synchronizing circuit, a wired transmission circuit configured to transmit a result of the detection by the light detector by using the AC signal as a clock signal, and a wireless transmission circuit configured to transmit the AC signal modulated by the modulation circuit.