Shared Overcurrent Protection in Multi-Channel Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-channel circuits require significant layout area and suffer from channel-to-channel mismatch due to multiple overcurrent protection circuits, leading to high power consumption and production costs, as well as degraded system performance.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel circuit design that shares a single overcurrent protection circuit among all channels, utilizing a selection circuit to choose a target sensing signal, a current sensing circuit to convert it into a voltage, and a comparator to compare with a reference voltage, thereby reducing the number of required components and minimizing layout area and mismatch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each channel has its own respective overcurrent protection circuit, then overcurrent protection reliability is improved, but layout area and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple overcurrent protection circuits into a single shared circuit. The selection circuit receives sensing signals from multiple channels and selects one for processing by a single current sensing circuit and comparator, eliminating the need for separate overcurrent protection circuits for each channel while maintaining protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single overcurrent protection circuit is designed to serve multiple channels universally. The selection circuit enables this single circuit to process sensing signals from any channel, making the overcurrent protection circuit multi-functional and applicable to all channels rather than being dedicated to a single channel.
2Reliability
If each channel has its own respective overcurrent protection circuit, then channel-specific protection is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple identical overcurrent protection circuits (each consisting of current sensing circuit, reference voltage generator, and comparator) into a single shared circuit. This merging reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant components while the selection circuit ensures channel-specific protection is maintained through selective signal processing.
3Reliability
If multiple overcurrent protection circuits are used, then comprehensive channel monitoring is improved, but manufacturing cost and trimming time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges n overcurrent protection circuits into one shared circuit, directly reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This reduces manufacturing cost and the associated trimming/calibration time while the selection circuit ensures comprehensive monitoring of all channels is maintained.
4Adaptability or versatility
If each channel has its own overcurrent protection circuit, then channel independence is improved, but channel-to-channel mismatch increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple overcurrent protection circuits into a single shared circuit, which inherently eliminates channel-to-channel mismatch caused by component variations. Since all channels share the same current sensing circuit, reference voltage generator, and comparator, the manufacturing precision and consistency are improved while channel independence is maintained through the selection circuit.
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 design effectively reduces layout area and channel-to-channel mismatch, improving system performance by using a single overcurrent protection circuit for all channels, thereby lowering power consumption and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a current sensing circuit, coupled to the selection circuit and configured into convert the target sensing signal into a target sensing voltage
Implementation Method 2
a comparator, coupled to the current sensing circuit and configured to compare the target sensing voltage with a reference voltage to generate a comparison result
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-channel circuit is provided. The multi-channel circuit includes a plurality of channel circuits and an overcurrent protection circuit. The channel circuits are configured to output sensing signals associated with channel output signals. Each channel circuit includes a channel output circuit for outputting a channel output signal and one of the sensing signals is associated with the channel output signal of the channel output circuit. The overcurrent protection circuit includes a selection circuit, a current sensing circuit and a comparator. The selection circuit is configured to receive sensing signals associated with channel output signals and select a target sensing signal from the sensing signals. The current sensing circuit is configured into convert the target sensing signal into a target sensing voltage. The comparator is configured to compare the target sensing voltage with a reference voltage to generate a comparison result indicating an overcurrent situation of the channel circuits.