Serializer Isolation Barrier Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transmitting data between high and low voltage circuits is challenging due to the need for multiple expensive isolation barriers, which occupy significant space and are inefficient when only a subset of data channels are active, leading to issues with transients interrupting or corrupting data.
Innovation Solution
A data transfer system that serializes only active data channels, uses a serializer to couple them to an isolation barrier that attenuates transients while passing the fundamental frequency, and deserializes the data on the receiving end, reducing bandwidth waste and latency, and minimizing the impact of transients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If isolation barriers are coupled between high and low voltage circuits for all data channels, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device cost and area increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple data channels are merged into a single serialized data stream that passes through one isolation barrier. The serializer combines parallel data from multiple channels into a sequential stream, allowing a single isolation barrier to protect all channels rather than requiring separate barriers for each channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from spatial parallelism (multiple channels transmitted simultaneously through separate paths) to temporal sequencing (channels transmitted sequentially through a single path). This dimensional change allows one isolation barrier to handle multiple channels over time, reducing the total number of barriers needed.
2Reliability
If isolation barriers are used for all data channels, then transient protection is improved, but bandwidth efficiency deteriorates due to transmitting inactive channels
Solution Approach 1:
The serializer extracts and transmits only the active data channels through the isolation barrier, leaving inactive channels to be handled separately or omitted. This selective transmission removes unnecessary data traffic, improving bandwidth efficiency while maintaining protection for active channels.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transmitting all channels equally, the system applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary active channels. This selective approach avoids the excessive action of transmitting inactive channels, optimizing bandwidth usage while providing adequate protection where needed.
3Reliability
If multiple isolation barriers are deployed, then transient immunity is improved, but area occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple isolation barrier functions into a single barrier by serializing the data stream. This consolidation reduces the total area required for isolation components while maintaining the protective function against common mode transients across all data channels.
Solution Approach 2:
A single isolation barrier is designed to handle multiple data channels sequentially, making it a multi-functional component. This universal barrier provides transient protection for all channels without requiring separate dedicated barriers, thereby reducing overall area occupation.
4Speed
If all data channels are transmitted in parallel, then data transfer speed is improved, but the impact of transients increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts parallel spatial transmission into sequential temporal transmission. By sending data through time rather than space, the system reduces exposure to simultaneous transient events that affect parallel channels, while the single serialized path experiences transients less frequently and with less cumulative impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The serializer acts as an intermediary that transforms parallel data streams into a single sequential stream before the isolation barrier. This intermediate transformation reduces the direct exposure of multiple channels to transient events, as the serialized stream presents a single target for transient interference.
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 increases bandwidth and decreases latency by only transmitting active data channels, while effectively isolating transients and reducing the need for multiple isolation barriers, thus improving common mode transient immunity.
Implementation Method 1
In some embodiments, the isolation barriers are capacitors that attenuate the frequencies associated with the transients
Data Source
AI summary
Data transfer devices and methods for transferring data between first and second circuits are disclosed. A data transfer device includes a first circuit having a plurality of data channels, wherein at least one of the data channels is an active data channel. A serializer has a plurality of inputs and an output, wherein the inputs are coupled to the plurality of data channels. The serializer is for coupling only one active channel at a time to the output. An isolation barrier is coupled to the output of the serializer, the isolation attenuates transients and passes the fundamental frequency. A second circuit includes a deserializer having an input and at least one output, the input is coupled to the isolation barrier, the at least one output is at least one active data channel.