RTC Signal Generating Circuit With Dynamic Startup Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Real time clock devices face challenges in reducing energy consumption while maintaining stability, as signal generating circuits operating under lower voltages or currents experience longer startup times and instability, leading to erroneous clock signals and frequent restarts, which can result in incorrect time signals and device malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A signal generating circuit for real time clock devices that includes an oscillating circuit, a voltage detecting circuit, and a control circuit, which adjusts current levels to optimize power efficiency by generating an oscillating signal with a larger current during startup and a smaller current for stable operation, and generates a clock signal and reset signal at appropriate times to ensure accurate timekeeping and device functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the signal generating circuit operates with lower voltages or currents to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but startup time increases and stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic current adjustment in the oscillating circuit by using a control circuit that switches between a first current (higher) and a second current (lower) based on operational phase. During startup, the first current is applied to ensure fast and stable oscillation establishment. During normal operation, the second current is applied to reduce power consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between low power consumption and stable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary high current to the oscillating circuit during the startup phase before switching to low current operation. This preliminary action ensures that the oscillating circuit establishes stable oscillations before power reduction, preventing startup failures and ensuring reliable operation. The voltage detecting circuit detects voltage levels to determine when to switch current modes, implementing preliminary stabilization before power savings take effect.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the signal generating circuit operates with lower voltages or currents to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but startup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit dynamically adjusts the current supplied to the oscillating circuit based on the operational phase. During startup, a first (higher) current is supplied to accelerate oscillation establishment and reduce startup time. Once the oscillating circuit is stable, the control circuit switches to a second (lower) current to reduce power consumption. This dynamic current switching resolves the contradiction between fast startup and low power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a higher current in advance during the startup phase to quickly establish oscillations before switching to lower current operation. This preliminary high-current action ensures rapid startup while minimizing the duration of high power consumption, thus resolving the time-power tradeoff.
3Device complexity
If a simple resistor-capacitor circuit is used to generate the POR signal, then circuit complexity is reduced, but the POR signal may not be generated in suitable time due to frequent restarts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a voltage detecting circuit that continuously monitors voltage levels and provides feedback to the control circuit. When voltage instability or noise causes oscillating circuit restarts, the voltage detecting circuit detects these conditions and triggers the control circuit to adjust the current accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that POR signals are generated at appropriate times even when frequent restarts occur, maintaining reliability without excessive circuit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit acts as an intermediary between the voltage detecting circuit and the oscillating circuit. It receives voltage level information from the detecting circuit and adjusts the current to the oscillating circuit accordingly, ensuring stable operation and proper POR signal timing. This intermediary control mechanism prevents the propagation of instability while maintaining relatively simple circuit architecture.
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 solution reduces startup time and power consumption while maintaining accurate time signals and device stability, even under unstable voltage conditions, by dynamically adjusting current levels and ensuring timely reset signals, thus enhancing energy efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillating circuit for generating an oscillating signal
Implementation Method 2
a voltage detecting circuit for detecting a voltage level coupled with the signal generating circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A signal generating circuit for a real time clock device is disclosed, having an oscillating circuit, a voltage detecting circuit, and a control circuit. The oscillating circuit is used for generating oscillating signals. The voltage detecting circuit is used for detecting a voltage level coupled with the signal generating circuit. The control circuit is coupled with the oscillating circuit and the voltage detecting circuit. When the voltage level detected by the voltage detecting circuit locates in a predetermined range, the control circuit configures the oscillating circuit to generate the oscillating signals with a larger current at a first interval and to generate the oscillating signals with a smaller current at a second interval. The control circuit further generates a clock signal according to the oscillating signals at a third interval.