Microcontroller Readout IC Power Control via Differential Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In display devices, the slave circuit is always powered on to receive a clock signal from the master circuit, leading to high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A microcontroller and a readout integrated circuit are designed to use a differential signaling method, where the slave circuit transmits signals back to the master circuit through a pair of lines, allowing command signals to be sent as single-ended signal transmission lines to control the power of the slave circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the slave circuit receives a clock signal from the master circuit to output a data signal, then data transmission is enabled, but the slave circuit needs to always be on, leading to high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the slave circuit's operational state changeable rather than static. The slave circuit can dynamically switch between active and low-power states based on whether data transmission is required, allowing it to be turned off or put into low-power mode when not actively transmitting data, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining transmission capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by using periodic clock signals to control the slave circuit's operation. The slave circuit operates periodically based on received clock signals from the master circuit, enabling data transmission only during active periods while allowing power reduction during inactive periods. This periodic operation pattern allows the circuit to balance between maintaining transmission capability and reducing power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If additional pins are added to enable low-power communication, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the existing differential signaling lines multi-functional. The same pair of lines used for differential data transmission is also utilized for receiving clock signals and control commands from the master circuit. This allows the slave circuit to achieve power control capabilities without adding dedicated control pins, as the existing communication lines serve multiple purposes including data transmission, clock reception, and power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into the existing differential signaling interface. Instead of having separate lines for data transmission and power control, the patent combines these functions by using the differential lines to carry both data signals and control commands. This consolidation eliminates the need for additional control pins while achieving power management capability through the integrated communication interface.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a microcontroller, a readout integrated circuit and a method of driving a circuit, and more particularly, to a microcontroller, a readout integrated circuit and a method of driving a circuit to transmit command signals by using a pair of lines, through which signals are transmitted from the microcontroller which is a master circuit to the readout integrated circuit which is a slave circuit, as two single-ended signal transmission lines and to control power of the readout integrated circuit which is a slave circuit.