Receiver Circuitry for High-Voltage Domain Signal Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional receiver circuitry faces reliability issues when handling input signals from source voltage domains with supply voltages exceeding the native voltage of its components, leading to potential overstress and difficulties in detecting logic transitions due to insufficient voltage margins.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of first and second internal signal generation circuits that convert input signals into specific voltage ranges, allowing the signal evaluation circuitry to establish logic high and low voltage thresholds dependent on the source voltage domain, while ensuring these internal signals do not exceed the stressing threshold of components, and the use of tracking circuits and assist circuitry to manage voltage drops and improve detection reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the receiver circuitry operates from a supply voltage matching the native voltage of its components (e.g., 1.8V), then component reliability is maintained, but the circuitry cannot handle input signals from source voltage domains with higher supply voltages (e.g., 2.5V or 3.3V) without risking voltage overstress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary voltage conversion mechanism that mediates between the high-voltage source domain and the low-voltage receiver circuitry. The receiver circuitry includes voltage conversion circuitry that converts the high-voltage input signal to a lower voltage level that is safe for the native voltage components, allowing the receiver to handle high-voltage inputs without exposing components to overstress conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts voltage parameters based on the detected source voltage domain. The circuitry monitors the input voltage level and adapts its operation accordingly, changing internal voltage reference levels and conversion ratios to match the source domain, enabling reliable operation across multiple voltage domains while protecting components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the receiver circuitry uses a fixed supply voltage (e.g., 1.8V), then component protection is ensured, but reliable detection of logic transitions becomes difficult when the input signal voltage range exceeds the supply voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage threshold adjustment where the logic high and logic low voltage thresholds are not fixed but adapt based on the source voltage domain. The circuitry detects the source voltage level and dynamically sets appropriate threshold levels for transition detection, ensuring accurate measurement even when input signals exceed the receiver's supply voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the voltage detection function into multiple stages: first detecting the source voltage domain, then selecting appropriate threshold levels, and finally performing logic transition detection. This segmentation allows the circuit to handle high-voltage inputs by processing them through intermediate detection stages that protect components while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the receiver circuitry is designed to operate from the source voltage domain supply voltage, then it can handle varying input voltage ranges, but components are exposed to voltage overstress when the source voltage exceeds the native voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary voltage conversion mechanism that mediates between the high-voltage source domain and the low-voltage receiver circuitry. The receiver circuitry includes voltage conversion circuitry that converts the high-voltage input signal to a lower voltage level that is safe for the native voltage components, allowing the receiver to handle high-voltage inputs without exposing components to overstress conditions.
4Reliability
If the voltage drop across receiver circuitry terminals is limited to prevent overstress, then component reliability is maintained, but the circuitry cannot properly process signals with voltage swings exceeding the supply voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional direct voltage processing approach with an electric field-based detection mechanism. Instead of allowing large voltage swings across component terminals, the circuit uses capacitive coupling and voltage division to sense the input signal, transferring only the necessary voltage information to the processing stages while keeping terminal voltage drops within safe limits.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a receiver circuit and method for receiving an input signal from a source voltage domain and converting the input signal into an output signal for a destination voltage domain. The source voltage domain operates from a supply voltage that exceeds a stressing threshold of components within the receiver circuitry, and the receiver circuitry is configured to operate from the supply voltage of the source voltage domain. The receiver circuitry comprises first internal signal generation circuitry configured to convert the input signal into a first internal signal in a first voltage range, and second internal signal generation circuitry configured to convert the input signal into a second internal signal in a second voltage range. Signal evaluation circuitry establishes a logic high voltage threshold and a logic low voltage threshold dependent on the supply voltage, and employs the first and second internal signals in order to detect based on the logic high voltage threshold and logic low voltage threshold when the input signal transitions between a logic low level and a logic high level (in either direction). Output generation circuitry then generates the output signal in dependence on the detection performed by the signal evaluation circuitry. The first voltage range and the second voltage range are such that the first internal signal and second internal signal will not exceed the stressing threshold of components in the signal evaluation circuitry. The receiver circuitry is able to reliably detect transitions in the input signal in situations where the supply voltage of the source voltage domain exceeds the stressing threshold of the receiver's components, but without overstress of the receiver's components.