Monitoring Output Circuit for Supply-Voltage Fault Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring systems face challenges in accurately transmitting monitoring results to upper controllers, especially when defects occur in supply voltages, which can lead to malfunction or errors in electronic components, particularly in critical systems like vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a function circuit, a monitoring circuit, and an output circuit, where the monitoring circuit generates monitor signals based on the function circuit's operation and supply voltages, and the output circuit generates an output signal through at least one output pin based on these monitor signals, ensuring accurate output even with defects in supply voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a monitoring circuit is used to detect abnormal operations of electronic components, then the reliability of the system is improved, but the complexity of the device increases due to additional monitoring circuits and multiple supply voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional blocks: a function circuit block that performs the primary function, a monitoring circuit block that detects abnormalities, and an output circuit block that transmits results. Each block operates with dedicated supply voltages, allowing independent monitoring and fault isolation without requiring complete system redesign for safety monitoring.
2Reliability
If multiple supply voltages are used to power different circuits, then the reliability of monitoring is improved by preventing cascading failures, but the device complexity increases due to multiple power supply requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent voltage domains: first and second positive supply voltages for the function and monitoring circuits respectively, and a third positive supply voltage for the output circuit. This segmentation prevents a single power failure from cascading throughout the entire device while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic power distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The output circuit acts as an intermediary between the monitoring circuit and the external upper controller. It receives the monitoring result signal and the third positive supply voltage, processes them together, and generates the final output signal. This intermediary structure isolates the monitoring circuit from direct external dependencies while ensuring reliable signal transmission even when other supply voltages fail.
3Measurement precision
If the monitoring circuit operates independently with separate supply voltages, then the accuracy of monitoring results is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional power management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device architecture segments circuits into function, monitoring, and output blocks with dedicated supply voltages. This segmentation allows the monitoring circuit to operate independently with its own power domain (second positive supply voltage), ensuring accurate detection of function circuit abnormalities without being affected by power fluctuations in other blocks, while maintaining systematic power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The output circuit serves as an intermediary that combines the monitoring result signal with the third positive supply voltage to generate the final output signal. This intermediary structure ensures that the output circuit can accurately process and transmit monitoring results while being protected from power failures in the function or monitoring circuits, as it operates from its dedicated third positive supply voltage.
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a function circuit that operates based on power provided by a first positive supply voltage and a first negative supply voltage, a monitoring circuit that operates based on power provided by a second positive supply voltage and a second negative supply voltage and that generates a first monitor signal based on monitoring an operation of the function circuit, and an output circuit that generates a second monitor signal based on monitoring the first positive supply voltage, generates a third monitor signal based on monitoring the second positive supply voltage, and generates an output signal that is output through one or more output pins, based on the first monitor signal, the second monitor signal, and the third monitor signal.