Multi-Output Fault Detection Circuit With Shared Threshold Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor integrated circuits for power supply systems require multiple regulators to detect open-circuit faults in multiple antennas, leading to increased cost and mounting area, and existing solutions are not optimized for detecting faults in systems with two loads having the same characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor integrated circuit with multiple output terminals, current control elements, a control circuit, and a fault detection circuit that uses voltage comparator circuits and an external resistor to detect open-circuit or short-circuit faults, allowing for the use of shared threshold voltages for equivalent loads, thereby reducing the number of external components and terminal count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple regulators are used to detect open-circuit faults in multiple antennas, then fault detection capability is improved, but cost and mounting area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple regulator functions and fault detection capabilities into a single integrated circuit. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes multiple output terminals for multiple loads, current control elements for each output, and a unified control circuit that manages all outputs and performs comprehensive fault detection, eliminating the need for separate regulators for each antenna
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it regulates voltage for multiple outputs, detects open-circuit faults, detects short-circuit faults, and provides unified control for all outputs. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate regulator devices
2Measurement precision
If different thresholds are set for respective output terminals, then fault detection accuracy is improved, but number of external components and terminals increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows threshold parameters to be changed based on detection needs. The control circuit can adjust detection thresholds dynamically or configure different thresholds for different fault types (open-circuit vs short-circuit) without requiring separate physical components for each threshold setting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the threshold setting function from external components and integrates it into the control circuit. Instead of requiring external resistors or components to set thresholds, the control circuit internally manages threshold values, reducing external component requirements
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
Enables efficient detection of open-circuit or short-circuit faults in multiple loads with reduced component count and terminal count, allowing for downsized and cost-effective power supply devices, particularly suitable for on-vehicle DTTB systems with two equivalent antennas.
Implementation Method 1
includes multiple voltage comparator circuits each of which compares a voltage proportional to a voltage of one of the output terminals with a predetermined threshold voltage and detects an open-circuit state or a short-circuit state of the respective output terminals
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: one input terminal; multiple output terminals; multiple first current control elements connected between the input terminal and the respective output terminals; a control circuit that controls the first current control elements; a fault detection circuit that includes multiple voltage comparator circuits each of which compares a voltage proportional to a voltage of one of the output terminals with a predetermined threshold voltage and that detects an open-circuit state or a short-circuit state of the output terminals; an external terminal connected to an external resistor; a voltage convertor circuit that generates the threshold voltage according to a voltage of the external terminal that is generated by flowing a current through the external resistor, the threshold voltage being applied to an input terminal of each of the voltage comparator circuits; and a detection result output terminal for outputting a detection result by the fault detection circuit.