Output Pin Pulse Counting for Connection Error Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in detecting pin errors efficiently, particularly in high-reliability applications like automotive systems, without increasing complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a signal generation circuit, counter circuit, and fault detection circuit within an electronic device to detect pin errors by comparing the number of pulses between output channels, allowing for error indication even with a single pin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant output terminals (pins) are provided to achieve high reliability, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A pulse signal is injected as an intermediary into the useful signal at the output terminal. This pulse signal serves as a mediator to detect connection errors without requiring redundant pins. The pulse signal is added to the useful signal and its presence/absence at the output indicates connection status, resolving the contradiction by using an intermediary signal rather than redundant physical pins.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a copy of the pulse signal through the output terminal connection path. By injecting a known pulse signal and detecting its presence at the output, the system creates a signal copy that traverses the connection path. This allows error detection without redundant pins, as the pulse signal copy carries information about connection integrity.
2Reliability
If redundant output terminals (pins) are provided to achieve high reliability, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse signal acts as an intermediary that enables connection error detection without requiring redundant pins. By injecting this pulse and detecting its presence at the output terminal, the system achieves reliability improvement through signal-based monitoring rather than hardware redundancy, thereby avoiding the power consumption penalty of additional active pins.
Solution Approach 2:
The output terminal itself is used to detect connection errors by monitoring the pulse signal that passes through it. The existing pin serves dual purposes: transmitting useful signals and carrying the pulse signal for error detection. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate redundant pins, reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If redundant output terminals (pins) are provided to achieve high reliability, then reliability is improved, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse signal serves as an intermediary that enables connection error detection using existing output terminals. This approach avoids the need for redundant pins, thereby reducing chip area, power consumption, and manufacturing costs while maintaining high reliability through signal-based monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The output terminals are made multi-functional by using them both for transmitting useful signals and for carrying the pulse signal used in error detection. This universal usage of existing pins eliminates the need for additional redundant pins, reducing device complexity and costs while achieving the desired reliability improvement.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, an electronic device is described, having a counter circuit which is configured to detect first pulses in a received first output signal and to determine a number of the detected first pulses, a counter circuit which is configured to detect second pulses in a received second output signal and to determine a number of the detected second pulses, and an error detection circuit configured to register a first difference between the number of first pulses detected in a first time interval and the number of second pulses detected in the first time interval, determine a second difference between the number of first pulses detected in a second time interval and the number of second pulses detected in the second time interval and indicate an error if the first difference and the second difference differ from one another by at least one predefined threshold value.