Signal Driver Circuit Adjustable Output Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic systems face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining performance, as increased memory capacity or speed often lead to higher power consumption due to additional circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A signal driver circuit using n-channel transistors with a bias voltage control mechanism sets the high logic level voltage lower than the supply voltage, reducing dynamic power consumption by minimizing the swing voltage and transitioning time between logic levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If memory capacity or speed is increased to improve performance, then system performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter of the output signal from the full supply voltage VCC to a reduced voltage level (e.g., VCC/2 or other programmable levels). By lowering the voltage swing of the output signal while maintaining the same data rate, the dynamic power consumption is reduced since power is proportional to the square of the voltage swing, thereby resolving the contradiction between performance and power consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If output signal voltage is reduced to lower power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but signal drive capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a programmable voltage selector that can dynamically adjust the output voltage level based on system requirements. The circuit can switch between full voltage mode (for maximum drive capability) and reduced voltage mode (for low power consumption), making the signal drive capability adaptive rather than fixed, thereby resolving the contradiction between power consumption and signal drive capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the output signal characteristics are monitored and used to adjust the voltage selection. The programmable voltage selector responds to system conditions to maintain adequate signal drive capability while optimizing power consumption, resolving the contradiction through closed-loop control
Data Source
AI summary
A signal driver circuit having an adjustable output voltage for a high-logic level output signal. The signal driver circuit includes a signal driver configured to output a first logic level signal having a first voltage and output a second logic level signal having a second voltage according to an input signal. A voltage controlled voltage supply coupled to the signal driver provides the first voltage for the first logic level signal. The magnitude of the first voltage provided by the voltage controlled voltage supply is based on a bias voltage. A bias voltage generator can be coupled to the voltage controlled voltage supply to provide the bias voltage.