Pulse-Edge Data Transmission Circuit for Low-Power High-Resolution Encoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital data modulation methods such as NRZ and PAM require analog-to-digital converters (ADC) and digital-to-analog converters (DAC) with high power consumption, which is inefficient and limits encoding resolution at low operating voltages.

Innovation Solution

A data transmission and reception circuit system that uses the edge of a pulse signal to modulate and demodulate data by time levels, eliminating the need for ADC and DAC, and achieving high-resolution encoding even at low voltages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If NRZ or PAM modulation methods are used, then data can be transmitted using amplitude levels, but high power consumption is required due to ADC and DAC

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsignal transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the modulation parameter from amplitude (voltage levels) to time (edge positions). By representing data through the timing of rising or falling edges relative to a clock signal, the system eliminates the need for high-power ADC and DAC components while maintaining reliable data transmission. This parameter transformation directly resolves the contradiction between power consumption and transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If ADC and DAC are used for amplitude modulation, then data encoding can be achieved, but encoding resolution is limited at low operating voltages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencoding resolutionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transforms the encoding mechanism from amplitude-based to time-based. By using the temporal position of signal edges within a clock cycle to represent data values, the system achieves high encoding resolution without requiring high operating voltages. This approach maintains precision while reducing power consumption, as timing detection does not depend on voltage amplitude.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If amplitude levels are used for data encoding, then modulation can be performed, but high power consumption components are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit simplicityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces amplitude modulation with time modulation, where data is encoded in the temporal position of signal edges. This simplifies the circuit architecture by eliminating complex amplitude conversion components (ADC/DAC) and using only timing-based logic circuits, thereby reducing both manufacturing complexity and power consumption simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Use of energy by moving object

If time levels are used for data transmission, then power consumption is reduced, but inter-symbol interference must be managed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidinter-symbol interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms in the receiver to detect and correct timing deviations caused by inter-symbol interference. By continuously monitoring the received signal timing and adjusting the clock synchronization accordingly, the system maintains accurate data recovery despite the presence of ISI, thus enabling low-power time-based modulation to overcome the harmful effects of inter-symbol interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4586561A1Data transmission circuit system and data reception circuit system using edge of pulse signal
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 KONKUK UNIV IND COOP CORP
  • EP4586561A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4586561A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4586561A1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

Provided are a data transmission circuit system and a data reception circuit system, which use an edge of a pulse signal. The data transmission circuit system modulates a digital signal by using time levels determined by time differences between rising edges (or falling edges) of a clock pulse signal and rising edges (or falling edges) of a data pulse signal. The data reception circuit system demodulates a digital signal by using time levels determined by time differences between rising edges (or falling edges) of a recovered clock pulse signal and rising edges (or falling edges) of a data pulse signal.