Power Module Common Bus Configuration Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power modules face an increase in size and complexity due to the need for multiple external signal terminals to transmit configuration values to multiple storage elements, leading to increased man-hours and substrate traces.
Innovation Solution
A power module design that utilizes a common bus to transmit configuration values to both upper and lower arm storage elements, reducing the number of external signal terminals required by using a communication signal terminal that includes addresses and configuration values, and shared I2C buses for clock and data signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple external signal terminals are provided for each storage element to receive configuration values, then configuration values can be transmitted to multiple storage elements, but the number of external signal terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate signal terminals for transmitting configuration values to different storage elements are merged into a single common bus. This common bus carries configuration values for both the upper arm and lower arm storage elements, reducing the number of external signal terminals from multiple separate terminals to just one shared terminal.
Solution Approach 2:
The common bus is designed to serve multiple functions: it transmits configuration values to both the upper arm storage element and the lower arm storage element. The bus handles multiple types of data (addresses and configuration values for different ICs) through a single communication channel, making the external signal terminal universal rather than dedicated to a single storage element.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple external signal terminals are provided for each storage element, then configuration values can be transmitted to multiple storage elements, but the size of the power module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate signal terminals into a single common bus, which reduces the physical space required for terminal connections. By merging the terminals, the overall footprint of the power module is reduced while maintaining the capability to configure multiple storage elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple external signal terminals are provided for each storage element, then configuration values can be transmitted to multiple storage elements, but the number of substrate traces increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate substrate traces that would connect different signal terminals to different storage elements are merged into a single common bus structure. This reduces the total number of substrate traces required, as the common bus shares the trace infrastructure among multiple storage elements rather than requiring dedicated traces for each terminal-element pair.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication signal terminal receives a first communication signal which includes an address of a first IC and a first configuration value for the first IC, and a second communication signal which includes an address of a second IC and a second configuration value for the second IC. A data common bus is connected to the communication signal terminal and transmits the first communication signal and the second communication signal. The first IC is configured to receive the first communication signal transmitted through the data common bus, and store first configuration value for the first IC included in the second communication signal. The second IC is configured to receive the second communication signal transmitted through the data common bus, and store the second configuration value for the second IC stored in the second communication signal.