Open Drain Encoding Minimizes Logic Lows for Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bidirectional open drain communication systems consume excessive current when transmitting consecutive logic lows, which exceeds system capabilities, and existing solutions that reduce current consumption, such as using unidirectional lines, increase the number of lines required, compromising system efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method that generates two pieces of encoded information based on a comparison of current and previous transmission records, selecting data for transmission that minimizes logical lows, thereby reducing power consumption, using an open drain data line, and includes mechanisms for the receiving device to decipher the encoded data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If bidirectional open drain communication is used to allow multiple devices to share a data line, then device connectivity and communication capability are improved, but current consumption increases excessively when transmitting consecutive logic lows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebidirectional communication capabilityVSAvoidcurrent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of data encoding by comparing current transmission records with previous transmission records and selecting encoded representations that minimize logic low transmissions. This parameter change in encoding strategy reduces current consumption while maintaining bidirectional communication capability on the shared open drain data line

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects between different encoded representations of transmission data based on the comparison with previous transmission records. This dynamic selection adapts the encoding scheme in real-time to minimize logic low transmissions and reduce power consumption, while preserving the bidirectional communication functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If unidirectional lines are used between multiple devices to reduce current consumption, then power usage is improved, but the number of lines increases proportional to the number of devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidnumber of communication lines

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the single open drain data line multi-functional by implementing bidirectional communication capability. Through encoded data transmission and comparison with previous records, the same physical line serves both directions of communication, eliminating the need for separate unidirectional lines for each device pair while maintaining low power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8259820B2Method for low power communication encoding

Publication Date: 2012.09.04 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A low power communication encoding method is provided. A first piece of encoded information and a second piece of encoded information are generated based on a comparison of a current transmission record and a previous transmission record. Then transmission data is selected based on which of the first and second pieces of encoded information will result in transmitting a fewer number of logical lows. Ultimately, the transmission data is transmitted on an open drain data line.