Power-On Reset Circuit for Stable Band-Gap Startup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power-on reset circuits face errors due to the instability of band-gap reference circuits during the power-on process, leading to unreliable chip startups.

Innovation Solution

A power-on reset circuit design that includes a band-gap reference circuit, a current comparator, and a voltage comparison circuit, where the current comparator and voltage comparison circuit are powered by a voltage source, ensuring the band-gap reference circuit reaches stable voltage thresholds before outputting a reset signal, thereby preventing false triggers and enhancing reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the power-on reset circuit outputs a reset signal when the power supply voltage reaches a preset value, then the chip can start to work, but the band-gap reference circuit may not be stable yet causing errors and failure to start normally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip startup speedVSAvoidchip startup reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a startup control circuit that activates the band-gap reference circuit before comparing the power supply voltage with the reference voltage. This preliminary action ensures the band-gap reference circuit has time to stabilize and output an accurate reference voltage before the comparison occurs, preventing startup errors while maintaining efficient startup speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the band-gap reference circuit is used to provide stable voltage, then temperature influence on voltage is reduced, but the band-gap reference circuit takes time to stabilize causing delayed reset signal output

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stabilityVSAvoidreset signal delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The startup control circuit is designed to activate the band-gap reference circuit in advance during the power-on process. This preliminary activation gives the band-gap reference circuit sufficient time to stabilize and provide an accurate reference voltage before the voltage comparison is performed, ensuring voltage stability without excessive delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic control mechanism where the startup control circuit monitors the power-on state and dynamically adjusts the activation timing of the band-gap reference circuit. This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between stabilization time and startup speed, ensuring the reference circuit is ready just in time for the voltage comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the power supply voltage is monitored directly for reset signal generation, then the circuit complexity is reduced, but temperature-induced voltage variations cause false reset signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit structureVSAvoidreset signal accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a band-gap reference circuit as an intermediary element that generates a temperature-compensated reference voltage. This reference voltage serves as a stable benchmark for comparing the power supply voltage, eliminating false reset signals caused by temperature-induced voltage variations while maintaining relatively simple circuit architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4007169B1Power-on reset circuit
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 SHENZHEN GOODIX TECH CO LTD
  • EP4007169B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4007169B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4007169B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a power-on reset circuit, including: a band-gap reference circuit, a current comparator, and a voltage comparison circuit, the band-gap reference circuit, the current comparator, and the voltage comparison circuit being powered by a voltage source; where a first output terminal of the band-gap reference circuit is connected to a control terminal of the current comparator; a first current input terminal of the current comparator receives a first current signal, a second current input terminal of the current comparator receives a second current signal, and an output terminal of the current comparator is connected to a control terminal of the voltage comparison circuit; and a first input terminal of the voltage comparison circuit is connected to the first output terminal of the band-gap reference circuit, a second input terminal of the voltage comparison circuit receives a signal indicating a voltage value of the voltage source, and an output terminal of the voltage comparison circuit is used to output a reset signal, thereby avoiding occurrence of an error caused by output of the reset signal when the reference generating circuit is unstable, reducing false trigger during the power-on process, and increasing the power-on reliability.