Programmable Receiver Circuit With Selectable Power-Performance Modes

Solution Overview

Problem

Pre-existing receiver circuits in programmable logic devices (PLDs) fail to optimally meet the needs of users seeking high performance without increased power consumption or low power consumption with reduced performance, as they are designed to prioritize one aspect over the other.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a programmable mode control section that allows the receiver circuit to operate in multiple modes, including a high performance mode with high power consumption, a low power mode with reduced performance, and an optional disabled mode, by using memory cells to control the enablement of current sources within the receiver circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the receiver circuit is designed to provide high performance, then performance is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveperformanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver circuit incorporates a mode control section that allows dynamic switching between different operational modes (first mode with higher performance and second mode with lower power consumption). This enables the circuit to adapt its characteristics based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction by making performance and power consumption adjustable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the receiver circuit by introducing multiple modes with different performance and power consumption characteristics. The mode control section programmably selects between these modes, allowing the system to optimize the balance between performance and power consumption based on specific application needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the receiver circuit is designed to provide low power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidperformance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver circuit incorporates a mode control section that allows dynamic switching between different operational modes (first mode with higher performance and second mode with lower power consumption). This enables the circuit to adapt its characteristics based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction by making performance and power consumption adjustable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the receiver circuit by introducing multiple modes with different performance and power consumption characteristics. The mode control section programmably selects between these modes, allowing the system to optimize the balance between performance and power consumption based on specific application needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a pre-existing receiver circuit is designed for high performance, then performance is improved, but it cannot optimally meet the needs of users who prefer low power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveperformanceVSAvoiduser preference adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver circuit is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating a mode control section that enables it to operate in multiple modes. This allows a single circuit to serve both high-performance applications and low-power applications, making it universally applicable to different user preferences and use cases without requiring separate dedicated circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver circuit incorporates a mode control section that allows dynamic switching between different operational modes (first mode with higher performance and second mode with lower power consumption). This enables the circuit to adapt its characteristics based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction by making performance and power consumption adjustable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8030967B1Method and apparatus involving a receiver with a selectable performance characteristic

Publication Date: 2011.10.04 XILINX INC

AI summary

A circuit has a programmable mode control section, and a receiver section with first and second input terminals and an output terminal. The method and apparatus involve setting the mode control section to one of first and second states in response to user input, and operating the receiver section in first and second operational mode when the mode control section respectively has the first and second states, wherein in the first operational mode the receiver section provides higher performance and consumes more power than in the second operational mode.