Ring Counter Signal Switching for Reliable Power-Up Initialization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices fail to reliably deliver a signal switching from a first state to a second state upon power-up, leading to delayed or prevented processing in target circuits due to potential initialization errors, where the signal may not transition correctly from the first state to the second state.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a primary circuit and a secondary circuit that initializes a ring counter to a random value within a finite sequence, allowing the counter to run through the sequence circularly, and switches the signal based on the counter's value, ensuring reliable transition from the first state to the second state, even if the primary signal is initially in an incorrect state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the primary circuit initializes the signal directly without verification, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of signal transition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A secondary circuit is introduced as an intermediary between the primary circuit and the target circuit. This secondary circuit includes a ring counter and control logic that monitors the primary signal and generates a reliable transition signal for the target circuit, even when the primary signal fails to transition properly.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary circuit implements feedback by continuously monitoring the state of the primary signal and using this information to control the ring counter output. The control logic detects whether the primary signal has transitioned and adjusts the secondary signal accordingly to ensure the target circuit receives a valid transition signal.
2Ease of manufacture
If the primary circuit generates the signal without redundancy, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the signal transition reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary circuit is pre-configured with a ring counter and control logic that is ready to compensate for primary circuit failures. Upon power-up, the secondary circuit independently prepares to generate a transition signal if needed, without requiring complex manufacturing processes or additional components beyond the existing secondary circuitry.
3Device complexity
If no secondary verification circuit is added, then the device complexity remains low, but the processing timing in target circuit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary circuit acts as a mediator that ensures timely signal delivery to the target circuit. By monitoring the primary signal and independently generating transition signals when needed, it prevents processing delays without requiring significant increases in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device (1) for delivering a signal switching from a first state to a second state, comprising: a primary circuit (4) generating a primary signal; and a secondary circuit (6) configured to: when the primary signal is initialized to the second state upon power-up, initialize a ring counter (16) to a random value in a finite sequence including a reference value, change the value of the first ring counter (16) by running through the first finite sequence in a circular fashion, and deliver at an output (3): i) a secondary signal in the first state, when the value of the first counter is different from the reference value, and ii) the primary signal, when the value of the first counter is equal to the reference value.