Sensor Device Wiring Reduction via Clock Signal Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of signals transmitted and received between a transmitter and a receiver increases, the number of wires and semiconductor chip terminals also increases, making it difficult to implement a miniaturized transmitter.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with an oscillator that oscillates a first clock signal, a data transmitting unit to transmit imaging data synchronized with the clock signal, and a clock signal transmitting unit to divide the clock signal and transmit it through a separate signal path, along with a control signal communicating unit to manage the clock signal, allowing for reduced wiring and miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate signal transmission paths are used for data, clock, and control signals, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but the number of wires and terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal transmission functions into a single shared signal transmission path. The imaging data, divided clock signal, and control signals all use the same physical connection between transmitter and receiver, eliminating the need for separate wires and terminals for each signal type while maintaining reliable transmission through functional separation within the shared path
Solution Approach 2:
The shared signal transmission path is designed to handle multiple types of signals (imaging data, clock signals, control signals) simultaneously or sequentially. This multi-functional approach allows a single wire/terminal connection to perform the work of what would traditionally require multiple dedicated connections, reducing overall system complexity
2Device complexity
If the number of semiconductor chip terminals is reduced, then device miniaturization is achieved, but signal transmission functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clock signal is segmented into multiple divided clock signals with different frequencies, allowing a single clock transmission path to provide multiple timing functions. This segmentation enables the system to maintain comprehensive signal transmission functionality while using fewer terminals, as one divided clock path replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate clock connections
Solution Approach 2:
The signal transmission path acts as an intermediary that carries multiple types of information (data, clock, control) through a single channel. By using time-division multiplexing or frequency-division multiplexing techniques, the intermediary path efficiently transmits multiple signal types without requiring separate physical connections, thus reducing terminal count while preserving functionality
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a transmission/reception system that can implement miniaturization and a reduced number of wires for transmitting a signal between a sensor device and a reception device. The sensor device includes a data transmitting unit configured to transmit imaging data synchronized with a first clock signal to the reception device through a first signal transmission path, a clock signal transmitting unit configured to transmit a second clock signal with a lower frequency than the first clock signal to the reception device through a second signal transmission path, and a control signal communicating unit configured to communicate a control signal necessary for control of the first clock signal with the reception device through the second signal transmission path. The reception device includes a signal generating unit configured to generate the control signal on the basis of a comparison result of a comparison between a reference clock signal and any one of the second clock signal based on the first clock signal and the second clock signal transmitted from the sensor device through the second signal transmission path, and a control signal communicating unit configured to communicate the control signal with the sensor device through the second signal transmission path.