Passive DC Level Shift Circuit for Low-Distortion Wired Receivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wired communication receivers face increased power consumption and nonlinear distortion due to the use of active source follower circuits for level conversion, which are inefficient and introduce mismatches.
Innovation Solution
Employing a passive DC level shift circuit with capacitors and switches to adjust common-mode voltage levels without amplification, coupled with an analog-to-digital converter, to reduce power consumption and distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a source follower circuit is employed for level conversion, then the signal level processed by the receiver is reduced, but power consumption increases due to active components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the active source follower circuit with a passive capacitor-based level conversion mechanism. The capacitor couples the high-voltage domain signal to the low-voltage domain, eliminating the need for active transistors and their associated power consumption while achieving the same level conversion function.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor acts as an intermediary element between the high-voltage domain and low-voltage domain. It transfers the signal while blocking DC components, enabling level conversion without direct connection between the two voltage domains and without requiring active components.
2Reliability
If active components are used in the level conversion circuit, then level shifting is achieved, but nonlinear distortion is introduced due to component mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes active transistor-based level conversion with a passive capacitive coupling approach. This eliminates the nonlinear characteristics inherent in active components while maintaining accurate signal transfer between voltage domains.
3Length of moving object
If higher power is used by the transmitter to increase connection distance, then transmission range is extended, but overall power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of high transmitter power (which increases overall system power consumption) into a benefit by enabling the receiver to operate in a low-voltage domain. The passive level conversion allows the receiver to process high-voltage signals without consuming excessive power, thus offsetting the transmitter's high power usage.
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 passive DC level shift circuit reduces power consumption and minimizes nonlinear distortion by utilizing capacitors and switches, enhancing signal processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the DC level shift circuit comprises a capacitor, and the DC level shift circuit is further configured to transmit a first common-mode voltage in a first voltage domain to a first terminal of the capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver for wired communication includes a DC (direct current) level shift circuit and an analog-to-digital converter circuit. The DC level shift circuit is configured to receive a first signal and generate a second signal, in which the DC level shift circuit comprises a capacitor, and the DC level shift circuit is further configured to transmit a first common-mode voltage in a first voltage domain to a first terminal of the capacitor and transmit a second common-mode voltage in a second voltage domain to a second terminal of the capacitor before the first signal is received, and when the DC level shift circuit receives the first signal, the DC level shift circuit stops transmitting the first common-mode voltage and the second common-mode voltage to the capacitor. The analog-to-digital converter circuit is configured to generate a digital signal according to the second signal.