Master Electronic Device Single-Wire Voltage Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer systems, system chips need to communicate with central processing units of different generations, which operate at various voltages, leading to signal integrity issues due to the need for additional pins and manual voltage adjustments, increasing costs and complexity as system sizes shrink.
Innovation Solution
A master electronic device with a power module, I/O module, processing module, sample and hold module, and control module that uses a single wire bi-directional path to transmit command signals, sample response signals, and determine the slave operation voltage, allowing the power module to generate power at the slave operation voltage, ensuring consistent signal levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional pin is disposed on the system chip to receive voltage from the central processing unit, then the system chip and central processing unit can operate under the same operation voltage, but the system chip size increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the voltage reception function with the existing single-wire bi-directional communication interface. The same physical wire that transmits communication signals also carries voltage information, eliminating the need for a separate additional pin. This merging of functions resolves the contradiction by maintaining signal integrity through proper voltage matching while avoiding the area increase that would result from adding a dedicated voltage reception pin.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-wire interface is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a communication channel for data exchange and a voltage reference source for ensuring compatible operation voltages. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve voltage synchronization without requiring additional dedicated pins, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and chip area.
2Reliability
If an additional pin is disposed on the system chip to receive voltage from the central processing unit, then the system chip and central processing unit can operate under the same operation voltage, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage reference function with the existing communication interface, eliminating the need for additional pins and associated manufacturing costs. By using the same single-wire interface for both communication and voltage reference, the system achieves proper voltage matching without incurring the additional manufacturing expenses that would result from adding a dedicated voltage pin.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-wire interface is designed to serve dual purposes: communication and voltage reference. This multi-functionality reduces the total pin count and simplifies the manufacturing process, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining signal integrity through voltage matching and minimizing manufacturing costs.
3Reliability
If manual voltage adjustment is required for the system chip, then the voltage can be adjusted to match the central processing unit, but the system complexity increases and user operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the central processing unit's voltage level through the single-wire interface and configures the system chip's operating voltage accordingly, without requiring manual user adjustment. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining signal integrity through proper voltage matching while eliminating the operational complexity and user burden of manual voltage configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the single-wire interface to receive voltage level information from the central processing unit and automatically adjusts the system chip's operating voltage based on this feedback. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures proper voltage matching and signal integrity without requiring manual user intervention, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If different operation voltages are used for system chips and central processing units, then various generations of central processing units can be supported, but signal integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating voltage parameter of the system chip based on the detected voltage level of the connected central processing unit. By changing the voltage parameter automatically through the single-wire interface, the system maintains signal integrity while supporting compatibility with different generations of central processing units that may operate at various voltage levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the single-wire interface to detect the central processing unit's voltage level and automatically configures the system chip's operating voltage to match. This feedback mechanism ensures signal integrity is maintained across different voltage domains, resolving the contradiction between adaptability to different CPU generations and maintaining reliable signal transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A master electronic device used to perform communication with a slave electronic device is provided. The master electronic device includes a power module, an input and output (I/O) module, a processing module, a sample and hold module and a control module. The power module outputs power having a default operation voltage. The I/O module operates according to the power having the default operation voltage. The processing module controls the I/O module to generate and transmit a command signal to the slave electronic device. The sample and hold module receives and samples a response signal from the slave electronic device. The control module determines a slave operation voltage according to a high state voltage level of the response signal, so as to further control the power module to generate power having the slave operation voltage such that the I/O module operates accordingly.