Over/Undervoltage Detection Circuit Using Programmable Reference Voltage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing over/undervoltage protection circuits face challenges in efficiently detecting voltage events due to increased complexity, power consumption, and inability to automatically calibrate for errors, particularly when prioritizing high-priority over low-priority events, leading to potential system damage or malfunction.
Innovation Solution
An over/undervoltage protection circuit utilizing a state machine to control a digital-to-analog converter and comparator, prioritizing overvoltage fault detection, and incorporating calibration capabilities to set threshold voltages, allowing for efficient detection of all voltage events with reduced circuit complexity and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate comparators are used to detect overvoltage and undervoltage events simultaneously, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines overvoltage and undervoltage detection functions into a single comparator by using a programmable reference voltage source. The control circuit switches between different reference voltages (higher than nominal for overvoltage detection, lower than nominal for undervoltage detection) to enable one comparator to perform multiple detection functions, thereby reducing circuit complexity while maintaining comprehensive voltage event detection
Solution Approach 2:
The single comparator is designed to serve multiple functions by receiving different reference voltages from the programmable reference voltage source. The same comparator hardware can detect both overvoltage conditions (when input voltage exceeds the higher reference) and undervoltage conditions (when input voltage falls below the lower reference), making the detection system universal and multi-functional
2Reliability
If multiple separate comparators are used to detect overvoltage and undervoltage events simultaneously, then detection coverage is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple comparators into a single comparator that is activated sequentially or selectively based on the detection phase. By sharing the comparator resource between overvoltage and undervoltage detection through a programmable reference voltage source, the total power consumption is reduced compared to having multiple comparators operating simultaneously
3Device complexity
If a single comparator is used for both overvoltage and undervoltage detection, then device complexity is reduced, but detection speed and accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic reference voltage that can be programmatically adjusted between different voltage levels. The control circuit dynamically switches the reference voltage to appropriate levels (higher than nominal for overvoltage, lower than nominal for undervoltage) based on the detection requirements, enabling a single comparator to achieve precise detection across different voltage conditions without sacrificing accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reference voltage parameter of the comparator based on the detection mode. By programmatically adjusting the reference voltage to different levels, the system maintains high detection precision for both overvoltage and undervoltage events using a single comparator, as the reference voltage parameter is optimized for each specific detection scenario
4Reliability
If overvoltage and undervoltage detection are given equal priority, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but response time to critical overvoltage faults increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage detection range into distinct zones with different priority levels. Overvoltage detection (comparing against a reference voltage higher than nominal) is assigned high priority for immediate response, while undervoltage detection (comparing against a reference voltage lower than nominal) operates with lower priority. This segmentation allows the control circuit to respond rapidly to critical overvoltage faults while still maintaining comprehensive monitoring of undervoltage conditions
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
The solution enables rapid detection of overvoltage faults while reducing power consumption and circuit area, improving accuracy through calibration, and expanding application ranges with flexible threshold settings, thus effectively protecting electronic systems from voltage-related damage.
Implementation Method 1
a digital-to analog converter, a comparator, and a control circuit. The comparator includes a first input coupled to an output of the digital-to-analog converter
Implementation Method 2
The control circuit is configured to set the digital-to-analog converter to generate an overvoltage fault threshold responsive to the output of the comparator indicating that voltage of a signal at the voltage input terminal exceeds a threshold currently generated by the digital-to-analog converter
Data Source
AI summary
An over/under voltage protection circuit includes a voltage input terminal, a digital-to analog converter, a comparator, and a control circuit. The comparator includes a first input coupled to an output of the digital-to-analog converter, and a second input coupled to the voltage input terminal. The control circuit includes an output coupled to an input of the digital-to-analog converter, and an input coupled to an output of the comparator. The control circuit is configured to set the digital-to-analog converter to generate an overvoltage fault threshold responsive to the output of the comparator indicating that voltage of a signal at the voltage input terminal exceeds a threshold currently generated by the digital-to-analog converter.