Programmable Pulse Width Discrimination Using Digital Sample Counting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pulse width discriminator circuits rely on monostable circuits with analog components, limiting their flexibility and functionality, and are not fully operable in the digital domain.

Innovation Solution

A programmable pulse width discriminator circuit that receives user-defined parameters to indicate when an input signal's pulse width is greater than, less than, or within a range of threshold values, using digital circuits to count consecutive samples and generate output signals based on user-set conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional monostable circuits with R-C time constants are used, then pulse width discrimination can be achieved, but the circuit requires analog components that are difficult to integrate and provides limited functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrability of componentsVSAvoidfunctionality range

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces analog monostable circuits with digital logic circuits including counters, flip-flops, and comparators. This substitution enables full integration in digital CMOS technology while providing programmable pulse width discrimination through digital counting of clock cycles, thereby improving integrability and expanding functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces programmable parameters including adjustable threshold values, selectable discrimination modes (greater than, less than, within range), and configurable clock dividers. These parameter changes enable a single digital circuit to perform multiple pulse width discrimination functions, significantly enhancing adaptability and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If digital circuits are used to count clock cycles, then full digital operation and programmability are achieved, but circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprogrammabilityVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal digital pulse width discriminator that can perform multiple discrimination functions (greater than, less than, within range) using a single integrated circuit structure. The circuit uses reusable components such as counters, flip-flops, and comparators that can be configured through programmable parameters, reducing overall complexity compared to implementing separate circuits for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8624631B2Programmable pulse width discriminator

Publication Date: 2014.01.07 STMICROELECTRONICS INT NV

AI summary

Disclosed is a programmable pulse width discriminator circuit operable to receive a set of parameters from a user and indicate when an input signal satisfies conditions set by the user-defined parameters. The input signal is sampled by the pulse width discriminator circuit to detect a desired state of the input signal. The user may set the parameters such that the pulse width discriminator indicates the condition wherein the number of consecutive samples for which the input signal is the desired state is (i) greater than a first threshold value, (ii) less than a second threshold value, or (iii) between the first and second threshold values. In these embodiments, the user sets the first and second threshold values and selects which set of conditions are indicated by the output of the circuit.