Shared Signal Interface Circuit With Inductive Interference Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing signal transmission circuits face interference issues when transmitting both digital and analog signals through a common interface, leading to reduced digital signal quality and potential communication failures due to the parasitic capacitance of analog switches.

Innovation Solution

A signal transmission circuit with a common interface, a first switch, a second switch, and an interference-resistant branch is implemented, where the interference-resistant branch eliminates the interference of the second switch on the digital signal by using impedance matching circuits, such as inductive branches, to ensure high-quality digital signal transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If digital signal and analog signal are transmitted through the same common interface, then the number of output interfaces is reduced, but the quality of digital signal is reduced and communication failure may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of output interfacesVSAvoiddigital signal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an interference-resistant branch as an intermediary component between the second switch and the common interface. This branch includes an inductor that acts as a mediator to counteract the capacitive interference from the second switch, allowing both digital and analog signals to share the common interface without degrading digital signal quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the circuit by adding an inductor with specific inductance value in the interference-resistant branch. This parameter change creates an inductive reactance that compensates for the capacitive effect of the second switch, thereby improving digital signal transmission quality while maintaining interface multiplexing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If analog switch is used for analog signal transmission, then analog signal can be transmitted through common interface, but capacitive interference from analog switch degrades digital signal quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission capabilityVSAvoidcapacitive interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the counterweight principle by introducing an inductor that produces inductive reactance to counterbalance the capacitive reactance of the second switch. The inductor acts as an electrical 'counterweight' that offsets the harmful capacitive interference, enabling both analog and digital signals to coexist on the common interface without degradation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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

The solution effectively reduces interference from analog switches, guaranteeing the quality of digital signals and ensuring successful communication by offsetting capacitive interference through inductive matching, thereby improving signal quality and meeting HiFi audio standards.

Implementation Method 1

the interference-resistant branch eliminates the interference of the second switch on the digital signal by using impedance matching circuits, such as inductive branches

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpedance matching:

Implementation Method 2

offsetting capacitive interference through inductive matching

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive matching:

Data Source

PatentEP3657817B1Signal transmission circuit
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 ZTE CORP
  • EP3657817B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3657817B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3657817B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed by the embodiments of the present application is a signal transmission circuit, comprising: a common interface, a first switch, a second switch, and an interference-resistant branch; the common interface is configured to, receive a digital signal through the first switch when the first switch is closed, or to receive an analog signal through the second switch when the second switch is closed; the interference-resistant branch is configured to eliminate an interference of the second switch on the digital signal; a signal input of the interference-resistant branch is configured to receive the digital signal, and a signal output of the interference-resistant branch is connected to a signal input of the first switch; and/or, the signal input of the interference-resistant branch is connected to a signal output of the second switch, and the signal output of the interference-resistant branch is connected to a signal input of the common interface.