Receiver Circuit Thresholding for Multi-Voltage Signal Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
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, ensuring these signals do not exceed the stressing threshold of components in the signal evaluation circuitry, along with signal evaluation circuitry that adjusts logic thresholds based on the source voltage domain, and optional assist and hysteresis generation circuits to enhance 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 the components are protected from overstress, but the circuitry cannot reliably handle input signals from source voltage domains with higher supply voltages (e.g., 2.5V or 3.3V) without risking component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voltage domain converter as an intermediary component between the high-voltage source domain and the low-voltage receiver circuitry. This converter includes level shifters that translate input signals from the higher source voltage domain (e.g., 3.3V) to the lower destination voltage domain (e.g., 1.8V), allowing the receiver to handle signals from multiple voltage domains without exposing components to overstress conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts operating parameters including supply voltage selection and threshold voltages based on the detected source voltage domain. The receiver can switch between different supply voltage configurations (e.g., 1.8V, 2.5V, or 3.3V) and adjust threshold voltage levels to match the input signal characteristics, enabling reliable operation across different voltage domains while maintaining component protection
2Reliability
If the receiver circuitry uses a fixed supply voltage (e.g., 1.8V) to protect components, then component safety is ensured, but the ability to reliably detect logic transitions in input signals with varying voltage ranges (0-1.8V, 0-2.5V, 0-3.3V) is compromised due to insufficient voltage margins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage domain detection and adaptation mechanisms that automatically adjust the receiver's operating parameters based on the detected input signal characteristics. The circuit dynamically selects appropriate supply voltages and threshold levels matching the source voltage domain, ensuring sufficient detection margins whether the input signal ranges from 0-1.8V, 0-2.5V, or 0-3.3V
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver circuitry changes its operating parameters including supply voltage selection and threshold voltage levels based on the detected source voltage domain. This parameter adaptation ensures that adequate voltage margins are maintained for reliable logic transition detection while keeping the actual component operating voltages within safe limits through the voltage domain converter
3Adaptability or versatility
If the receiver circuitry is designed to handle high voltage inputs directly, then voltage domain compatibility is improved, but components are exposed to overstress conditions that reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage domain converter serves as a protective intermediary that interfaces between high-voltage source domains and low-voltage receiver components. It accepts inputs from various voltage domains (1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V) and converts them to the appropriate voltage level for the receiver components, enabling voltage domain compatibility while preventing component overstress
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the receiver system into distinct functional blocks: a voltage domain converter section that handles high-voltage signal conditioning, and a receiver core section that operates at safe voltage levels. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific voltage range, with the converter handling voltage domain compatibility and the core ensuring component reliability
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.