Physical Layer Circuit Power Management for Differential Serial Links
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional differential serial communication devices face challenges in reducing power consumption, particularly in the physical layer of the receiver circuit, which includes an analog comparator and detection circuit, leading to high power consumption even in input absent states.
Innovation Solution
A physical layer circuit for differential serial communication devices is introduced, featuring a differential input terminal, a conversion unit, a first detection circuit, a second detection circuit, and a control circuit. The second detection circuit detects the presence or absence of differential serial signals and outputs control signals to manage the power supply of the conversion unit and detection circuits, allowing for power-off states when no signal is received, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the receiver circuit and detection circuit continuously operate to ensure reliable signal detection, then the detection reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the operation state of the receiver circuit and detection circuit changeable between active and power-off states. The control circuit dynamically adjusts the power supply based on whether a differential serial signal is detected, allowing the system to transition from continuous operation to selective operation, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining detection reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection circuit performs dual functions: it detects the presence of differential serial signals and simultaneously controls the power supply to the receiver circuit and itself. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external continuous control signals, enabling automatic power management that reduces power consumption while ensuring reliable operation when signals are present.
2Loss of energy
If the power supply is turned off during input absent states to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the detection response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection function into two parts: the detection circuit remains in a low-power standby state capable of quick activation, while the receiver circuit is fully powered only when needed. This segmentation allows the detection circuit to quickly detect signal presence and trigger power supply to the receiver circuit, minimizing response time while maintaining energy efficiency during idle states.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a physical layer circuit. Upon detecting a connection recognition signal from an output of a differential input terminal, a first detection circuit outputs a first control signal for allowing an upper layer to output a power supply control signal for turning on a power supply of each of a receiver circuit and a recovery conversion circuit. Upon detecting “input absent” based on the bit configuration of parallel data, a second detection circuit outputs a second control signal for allowing the upper layer to output the power supply control signal for turning off the power supply of each of the receiver circuit and the recovery conversion circuit. A control circuit turns off a power supply of the first detection circuit when the second detection circuit detects “input present”, and turns on the power supply of the first detection circuit when the second detection circuit detects “input absent”.