Negative Voltage Feedback Generator Using Intermediary Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Regulating negative output voltages from a power supply is complex due to the lack of readily available negative reference voltages, making it difficult to compare and adjust the voltage effectively in input devices like touchpads and touch screens.
Innovation Solution
A voltage conversion circuit and method that convert negative voltage to current and then to positive voltage, allowing comparison with a positive reference voltage for error compensation, thereby avoiding the need for a negative reference voltage and reducing power consumption and error introduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If negative voltage regulation is performed using conventional methods, then voltage control is achieved, but the system requires negative reference voltages which increases device complexity and power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voltage-to-current converter as an intermediary component that transforms the negative voltage signal into a current signal. This current signal can then be processed by existing positive reference voltage circuits, eliminating the need for separate negative reference voltage generation. The converter acts as a mediator that bridges the negative voltage domain and the positive reference domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter domain of the voltage signal by converting voltage to current and then to a different voltage level. The voltage-to-current converter transforms the negative voltage into a current, and the current-to-voltage converter transforms it back to a positive voltage, effectively changing the parameter domain to avoid the need for negative reference voltages.
2Measurement precision
If negative reference voltages are generated for voltage comparison, then voltage regulation accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage-to-current converter serves as an intermediary that enables voltage comparison using existing positive reference voltage circuits. Instead of generating power-consuming negative reference voltages, the system converts the negative voltage to a current that can be compared against positive references, reducing power consumption while maintaining comparison accuracy.
3Device complexity
If negative voltage is directly compared with reference voltage, then regulation is simplified, but negative reference voltages must be generated increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses voltage-to-current and current-to-voltage converters as intermediaries to transform the negative voltage into a form that can be easily compared with positive reference voltages. This approach simplifies the regulation circuit by eliminating the need for negative reference voltage generation while maintaining the ease of voltage comparison through standard positive reference circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention generally provide an device that regulates a negative output voltage from a power supply using a positive representation of the negative output voltage. To convert the negative voltage to a positive voltage, the device changes the negative voltage into a current using, for example, a current generator that outputs a current corresponding to the negative voltage received from the power supply. This current is then transferred from the negative voltage domain to the positive voltage domain and is fed through a voltage generator that outputs a positive voltage corresponding to the current. By doing so, the negative voltage output is transformed into a corresponding positive voltage. This positive voltage may then be compared to a positive reference voltage to determine an error signal for adjusting the power supply.