Logic Controller Circuit for Low Power Serial Bus

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing serial bus systems face challenges in providing low power solutions with high accuracy and efficiency, particularly in managing power delivery and consuming less current during hibernation modes, while accommodating variations in process, voltage, and temperature.

Innovation Solution

A logic controller circuit with analog and digital components that includes trimming circuitry for configuring analog components, capable of switching between active and hibernation modes, and a voltage regulator circuit that enables power management by determining threshold voltage levels to optimize power delivery and consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the digital circuitry operates in active mode to provide full functionality, then the power delivery control and communication capabilities are improved, but the current consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery control capabilityVSAvoidcurrent consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The digital circuitry dynamically switches between active mode and hibernation mode based on operational requirements. The reset generation circuit monitors voltage thresholds and transitions the circuitry between modes, enabling full functionality when needed while reducing current consumption during low-activity periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the power state of digital circuitry. The reset generation circuit detects voltage threshold crossings and modifies the operational mode accordingly, transitioning from active to hibernation state to optimize the balance between functionality and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the voltage regulator circuit enables early to ensure sufficient voltage supply, then the power delivery speed is improved, but the risk of unstable operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage supply speedVSAvoidoperational stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reset generation circuit implements voltage threshold monitoring with feedback control. It detects when the supply voltage reaches the first threshold and when the regulated voltage reaches the second threshold, enabling the voltage regulator at the appropriate moment to ensure stable operation while maintaining fast response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary voltage threshold detection before enabling the voltage regulator. The reset generation circuit monitors voltage levels in advance and triggers regulator enablement only when predetermined threshold conditions are met, ensuring readiness without premature activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If trimming circuitry is added to configure analog components for high accuracy, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalog component accuracyVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Trimming circuitry is selectively applied only to analog components that require high precision, such as reference voltage generators and current sources. This localized approach improves manufacturing precision for critical components while minimizing the overall increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3208685B1Serial bus apparatus with controller circuit and related uses
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 NXP BV
  • EP3208685B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3208685B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3208685B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Low power solutions can be provided in a serial bus system with a logic controller circuit. The logic controller circuit can include analog circuitry that includes a plurality of analog components and trimming circuitry for configuring the analog components. Digital circuitry can be configured to switch between an active mode and a hibernation mode, wherein the hibernation mode consumes less current than the active mode. A voltage regulator circuit can be configured to generate a regulated voltage from a supply voltage. A reset generation circuit can be configured to determine that the supply voltage has reached a first threshold voltage level and enable the voltage regulator circuit. When the regulated voltage has reached a second threshold voltage level and the supply voltage has reached a third threshold voltage level, the digital circuitry can be switched to the active mode.