Offset Calibration Circuit for Battery-Driven Audio Pop Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Audio processing circuits in battery-powered devices face challenges in accurately calibrating DC voltage offsets due to supply voltage changes, leading to pop noise issues, as fixed compensation values are ineffective in varying battery power conditions.

Innovation Solution

An offset calibration circuit that includes a supply voltage detection circuit and a calibration circuit, which calculates a digital compensation value based on detected supply voltage levels to perform DC offset calibration, ensuring accurate elimination of DC voltage offsets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a fixed compensation value is used in the calibration circuit, then the circuit structure is simple, but the DC offset calibration accuracy deteriorates when supply voltage changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration circuit structureVSAvoidDC offset calibration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed compensation value into a dynamically adjustable one. The calibration circuit now includes a supply voltage detection circuit that continuously monitors the supply voltage level and automatically adjusts the compensation value accordingly. This dynamic adjustment mechanism ensures that the compensation value always matches the current supply voltage condition, thereby maintaining high DC offset calibration accuracy across varying battery power levels without significantly increasing circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by making the compensation value variable based on supply voltage levels. Instead of using a single fixed compensation value, the system now has multiple compensation values corresponding to different supply voltage ranges. The supply voltage detection circuit determines which compensation value to apply based on the detected voltage level, effectively changing the compensation parameter to match operating conditions and resolve the contradiction between circuit simplicity and calibration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the supply voltage changes due to battery power depletion, then the battery-powered device operates longer, but the fixed compensation value becomes inaccurate causing pop noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery operation durationVSAvoidaudio output quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by introducing a supply voltage detection circuit that continuously monitors the supply voltage level and feeds this information back to the calibration circuit. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically detect when the supply voltage changes due to battery depletion and adjust the compensation value accordingly. As a result, the audio output quality remains reliable throughout the entire battery operation duration, eliminating pop noise that would otherwise occur during battery power changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by proactively adjusting the compensation value before pop noise occurs. The supply voltage detection circuit anticipates supply voltage changes and pre-adjusts the compensation value to match the upcoming operating conditions. This preliminary adjustment prevents the occurrence of pop noise rather than merely responding to it after it happens, thereby maintaining audio quality throughout battery discharge cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11637536B2Offset calibration circuit and offset calibration method applied in signal processing circuit
Publication Date: 2023.04.25 REALTEK SEMICON CORP
  • US11637536B2 patent drawing
  • US11637536B2 patent drawing
  • US11637536B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention provides an offset calibration circuit used in a signal processing circuit, wherein the offset calibration circuit includes a supply voltage detection circuit and a calibration circuit. The supply voltage detection circuit is configured to detect a level of a supply voltage to generate a detection result, wherein the supply voltage is provided to an output stage in the signal processing circuit. The calibration circuit is configured to calculate a digital compensation value according to the detection result, wherein the digital compensation value is used for a digital processing circuit in the signal processing circuit to perform a DC offset calibration.