Low-Voltage Resistor Programming With Tolerance-Stable Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resistor-programmable systems face variations in threshold or parameter settings due to tolerances in external resistors and voltage or current sources, leading to inconsistent output.
Innovation Solution
A resistor-programmable device that uses a controllable current source and comparator to adjust current through a resistor until a threshold voltage is exceeded, allowing for precise setting of parameters with reduced tolerance, and can handle multiple resistors using a demultiplexer to store digital values representing resistance values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external resistors and voltage or current sources are used to set parameters, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but tolerance variations and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external voltage source and replaces it with an integrated current source within the integrated circuit. This extraction of the problematic external components (voltage source and external resistors) eliminates the tolerance accumulation while preserving the parameter-setting functionality through the remaining external resistor connected to the integrated current source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a comparator as an intermediary component that compares the voltage across the external resistor with a reference voltage. This intermediary mechanism enables precise threshold detection and compensation, allowing the system to maintain reliable and consistent thresholds despite resistor tolerance variations, while still preserving adaptability through external resistor selection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external voltage source and resistive divider are used, then parameter setting flexibility is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the external voltage source from the system, replacing it with an integrated current source within the IC. This simplifies the overall circuit by eliminating the need for an external voltage source and resistive divider configuration, reducing device complexity while maintaining parameter-setting flexibility through the external resistor interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If external voltage source and resistive divider are used, then parameter setting flexibility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external voltage source requirement by integrating a current source within the IC. This extraction eliminates the continuous power consumption associated with maintaining an external voltage source and resistive divider circuit, significantly reducing overall power consumption while preserving the ability to set threshold voltages through external resistor selection.
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
The solution reduces the size and cost of the device, operates at lower voltages, minimizes power consumption, and maintains parameter settings despite resistor tolerance variations, effectively converting resistor values to digital outputs.
Implementation Method 1
A resistor-programmable device that uses a controllable current source and comparator to adjust current through a resistor until a threshold voltage is exceeded
Implementation Method 2
A resistor-programmable device that uses a controllable current source and comparator to adjust current through a resistor until a threshold voltage is exceeded
Data Source
AI summary
A resistor-programmable device generates pulses counted by a counter. The counter's output controls a drive signal generator, such as an adjustable current source. The drive signal generator generates a drive signal (such as a current), which leads to the creation of a sense signal (such as a voltage) using a resistance. The resistance can have one of a set of specified values or fall within one of a set of specified windows. The resistor-programmable device can convert the resistance value into a digital value, which can be used to set a sensor trip point threshold or some other parameter. The digital or parameter value is independent of changes in the resistance that are within a specified tolerance. For instance, the same parameter value could be selected even when the resistance varies within some tolerance (such as 1%) as the resistor-programmable device can determine the window in which the resistance falls.