Multi-Format Transmission Circuit for Cross-Interface Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic apparatuses with diverse devices from different vendors often have incompatible interfaces, limiting the ability to exchange data effectively across various devices.

Innovation Solution

A transmission device that can generate and transmit signals in multiple formats, including differential, three-phase, and single-phase signals, allowing it to adapt to various interfaces by using serializers, selectors, exclusive-OR circuits, and drivers to convert parallel signals into serial signals and set output voltages to different levels, enabling communication across different interface types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a device uses a single interface type, then the interface design is simple, but the device cannot communicate with devices from different vendors that have different interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface compatibilityVSAvoidinterface design
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission device is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple interface types (single-phase, differential, three-phase) within a single device. The driver circuit can operate in different modes to generate different signal types, allowing one device to communicate with various devices from different vendors that use different interface standards, thereby achieving universal compatibility without requiring separate dedicated devices for each interface type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission device employs dynamic switching capability where the driver circuit can change its operation mode based on the required interface type. The device can dynamically select between single-phase mode, differential mode, and three-phase mode through control signals, enabling adaptive interface selection that matches the communication partner's requirements while maintaining a unified hardware architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple processors are used to support different interfaces, then interface compatibility is achieved, but the device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface compatibilityVSAvoidnumber of processors
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple interface functions into a single transmission device. Instead of using separate processors or communication devices for single-phase, differential, and three-phase interfaces, the patent combines all these interface capabilities into one unified device with a configurable driver circuit that can generate different signal types as needed, thereby reducing the total number of components and processors required in the system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single transmission device is designed to perform multiple interface functions, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated processors. The device can adapt its output signal type based on the communication requirements, allowing one processor to replace what would traditionally require several separate processing units, thus reducing device size and cost while maintaining interface compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If multiple dedicated transmission devices are used for different interfaces, then each interface works reliably, but the circuit layout area increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface transmissionVSAvoidcircuit layout area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention consolidates multiple transmission functions into a single integrated circuit. By combining single-phase, differential, and three-phase transmission capabilities in one device, the circuit layout area is significantly reduced compared to using separate dedicated transmission devices for each interface type, while maintaining reliable transmission for each interface mode through proper circuit design for each operation mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3700151B1Transmission device and communication system
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3700151B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3700151B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3700151B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A transmission device of the disclosure includes a first selector configured to select one of a first signal and a second signal, and output the selected signal; a second selector configured to select one of an inversion signal of the first signal, the second signal, and an inversion signal of the second signal, and output the selected signal; a first control signal generator configured to generate a first control signal, a second control signal, and a third control signal, based on the first signal, the second signal, and a third signal; a first driver configured to set a voltage of a first output terminal, based on an output signal of the first selector and the first control signal; and a second driver configured to set a voltage of a second output terminal, based on an output signal of the second selector and the second control signal.