Sensor Controller Intermediate-Potential Supply for Low-Power Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor technologies connect switches to output signal lines, which can affect transmission signals due to parasitic capacitance, leading to increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A sensor controller with transmission drivers and an intermediate potential supply unit that generates and supplies an intermediate potential between power supply terminals without connecting elements like switches, managing potential transitions to reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If switches are connected to output signal lines to control potential transitions, then power consumption is reduced, but parasitic capacitance of the switches affects transmission signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the switching function from the output signal line path by moving it to the power supply path. The switch is now connected between the power supply terminal and the transmission driver, rather than being connected to the output signal line. This extraction eliminates the parasitic capacitance problem while maintaining the power consumption reduction benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate element (the switch in the power supply path) that mediates the power supply to the transmission driver. By controlling the power supply timing through this intermediate switch, the system achieves adiabatic switching effects without directly connecting switches to the output signal lines, thus avoiding parasitic capacitance interference with transmission signals.
2Loss of energy
If switches are used to short-circuit output signal lines for adiabatic switching, then power consumption is reduced, but the switches introduce parasitic capacitance that degrades signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy recovery function from the output signal line by implementing it in the power supply path. The switch now operates in the power supply domain rather than the signal domain, allowing energy recovery without introducing parasitic capacitance into the transmission path, thus maintaining signal quality while reducing power loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the power supply control into individual transmission driver units, with each driver having its own switch connected to the power supply terminal. This segmentation allows independent control of power supply timing for each driver, enabling precise adiabatic switching without affecting other channels, thereby maintaining both low power consumption and high signal quality.
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
Power consumption is reduced without the need for switches, improving signal transmission efficiency and reducing parasitic capacitance effects.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate potential supply unit having a potential generation circuit that includes a voltage source or a capacitive element separate from the transmission drivers
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a sensor controller including transmission drivers each having a negative and a positive power supply terminal, each of the transmission drivers being configured to generate a signal waveform transitioning between first potential and second potential and output the signal waveform to a corresponding detection electrode, and an intermediate potential supply unit having a potential generation circuit that includes a voltage source or a capacitive element separate from the transmission drivers, the intermediate potential supply unit being configured to output a voltage from the potential generation circuit at first timings at which a potential of a signal waveform starts to transition from the first potential to the second potential or from the second potential to the first potential, to supply the intermediate potential between the first potential and the second potential to at least one of the positive or the negative power supply terminal.