Single-supply Peak Detector with Diode Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high voltage signal detection and discrimination methods are complex and costly, especially when a dual or split supply is unavailable or a differential receiver is unfeasible, leading to impractical solutions.
Innovation Solution
A single-supply, single-ended receiver system with a protection circuit and peak detector, utilizing capacitive coupling and diodes to differentiate between high voltage AC and DC signals, preventing DC loading of amplifiers and providing overvoltage protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dual or split supply with differential receiver is used for high voltage signal detection, then signal detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using a single-supply configuration with modified biasing and coupling techniques. Capacitive coupling blocks DC components while allowing AC signals to pass, enabling accurate AC detection without requiring dual supplies. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining detection accuracy through signal conditioning rather than through complex differential architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the DC component from the signal path using capacitive coupling, separating the AC signal detection function from the DC blocking function. This allows the use of a simpler single-supply operational amplifier while still achieving accurate AC signal detection, thereby reducing device complexity without sacrificing measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If a dual or split supply system is implemented for high voltage detection, then signal discrimination capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single-supply operational amplifier is configured to perform multiple functions: AC signal amplification, DC blocking through capacitive coupling, and peak detection. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dual-supply infrastructure, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining signal discrimination capability through clever circuit configuration rather than hardware redundancy.
3Measurement precision
If direct coupling is used to detect high voltage signals, then signal fidelity is improved, but DC loading of amplifier occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A capacitor is introduced as an intermediary element in the signal path. This capacitor couples the high voltage AC signal to the amplifier while blocking the DC component, thereby preventing DC loading of the amplifier. The capacitor acts as a mediator that preserves AC signal fidelity while eliminating the harmful DC offset, resolving the contradiction between signal fidelity and DC loading prevention.
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
Enables cost-effective detection and discrimination of high voltage AC signals using a single-supply system, reducing complexity and cost by eliminating the need for dual supplies and differential receivers, while ensuring reliable operation with overvoltage protection.
Implementation Method 1
DC loading of the amplifier may be avoided by capacitive coupling, for example, capacitor (C3) and, if necessary, capacitor (C4) shown in FIG. 1
Implementation Method 2
a pair of diodes communicatively coupling the positive input to the negative input, wherein the pair of diodes are configured to protect an operational amplifier from an overvoltage and negative voltages
Data Source
AI summary
A device for current detection is disclosed and includes a protection circuit having a current input provided via a positive input and a negative input arranged in parallel to the positive input, a pair of diodes communicatively coupling the positive input to the negative input, wherein the pair of diodes are configured to protect an operational amplifier from an overvoltage and negative voltages, and a peak detector in communication with the protection stage, wherein the peak detector is configured to receive an output provided by the operation amplifier of the protection stage, and wherein the peak detector is configured to create a peak detector output representative of the current input.