Resonant Oscillator Startup Circuit Eliminates Transients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resonant oscillator circuits suffer from uncontrolled and unpredictable startup transients, leading to potential damage to downstream components and system delays due to initial unbounded and irregular oscillations during power-up.
Innovation Solution
A resonant oscillator circuit design that includes a startup circuit to initiate oscillations with the first phase output at peak voltage and the second phase output at base voltage, with zero current through the inductors, using a combination of inductors, capacitances, and n-type transistors, along with a microcontroller and bootstrap circuit to sequence operations and control the startup process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a resonant oscillator circuit is used to generate clock pulses without dissipating significant power, then power consumption is reduced, but uncontrolled startup transients occur that can damage downstream components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a startup circuit to pre-charge capacitors and set initial conditions before the resonant oscillator begins normal operation. The startup circuit charges capacitor C1 to voltage VIN and capacitor C2 to voltage VIN/2, and positions the oscillation at a specific phase point, thereby eliminating uncontrolled startup transients that could damage downstream components while maintaining the low power consumption of the resonant oscillator during normal operation.
2Device complexity
If the resonant oscillator circuit is allowed to start up naturally with current dividing between inductor branches, then the circuit structure remains simple, but the initial output pulses become unbounded in magnitude
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by implementing a startup circuit that pre-charges capacitors C1 and C2 to specific voltages (VIN and VIN/2 respectively) and initializes the oscillation at a controlled phase point. This preliminary setup prevents the natural uncontrolled startup that would otherwise cause unbounded pulse magnitudes, while the startup circuit is designed to be relatively simple and can be integrated into the existing resonant oscillator structure.
3Ease of operation
If the circuit operates through a metastable state before oscillations commence, then component asymmetries naturally trigger oscillation, but the initial transient oscillations become weak and highly irregular
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the startup circuit to pre-charge capacitors and establish initial voltage conditions before oscillation begins. Instead of relying on the metastable state and natural asymmetry triggering, the startup circuit proactively sets the oscillation at a specific phase point with controlled amplitude, thereby eliminating weak and irregular transient oscillations while maintaining ease of operation through automatic startup.
4Productivity
If power is applied to the resonant oscillator circuit, then the circuit begins operation, but current builds up in inductors during the metastable state causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by implementing a startup circuit that pre-charges capacitors C1 and C2 to specific voltages and initializes oscillation at a controlled phase point before significant inductor current can build up during the metastable state. This preliminary setup allows the circuit to begin operation immediately in a controlled manner, preventing harmful current buildup in the inductors while maintaining productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach eliminates significant startup transients, ensuring clean and controlled oscillation commencement, reducing the risk of component damage and improving system reliability by starting the resonant oscillator circuit in a controlled state.
Implementation Method 1
a first inductor L1, a second inductor L2, a first capacitance C1, and a second capacitance C2, wherein the first and second inductors are configured to operate with the first and second capacitances to produce resonant oscillations
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that implements a resonant oscillator circuit. This resonant oscillator circuit includes: a first inductor, a second inductor, a first capacitance, and a second capacitance, wherein the first and second inductors are configured to operate with the first and second capacitances to produce resonant oscillations which appear at a first phase output and a second phase output. The system also includes a startup circuit which is configured to start the resonant oscillator circuit in a state where: the first phase output is at a peak voltage; the second phase output is at a base voltage; and currents through the first and second inductors are substantially zero. By starting the resonant oscillator circuit in this state, the oscillations commence without a significant startup transient.