Signal Processor Protection Circuit Reducing Harmonic Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Signal processing circuits are vulnerable to extraneous sources of unwanted signals such as EMI, ESD, and RF interference, which cause harmonic distortion and compromise the integrity of electrical signals due to non-linear capacitive impedance.
Innovation Solution
A protection circuit incorporating a diode string and anti-parallel diodes is coupled across signal ports and power buses, reducing non-linear capacitive impedance by varying capacitive impedance in an opposite direction, thereby minimizing harmonic distortion without the need for additional inductive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protection circuit uses traditional ESD protection diodes, then ESD protection is provided, but non-linear capacitive impedance causes harmonic distortion of RF signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the protection circuit by introducing anti-parallel diodes that operate in opposite polarity to the series diodes. This parameter change creates a compensating effect where the capacitive impedance variations of the anti-parallel diodes counteract those of the series diodes, reducing overall non-linearity and harmonic distortion while maintaining ESD protection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite protection circuit structure by combining series diodes and anti-parallel diodes in a single circuit architecture. This composite structure integrates multiple functional elements (protection and linearization) into one system, where the interaction between different diode configurations produces both ESD protection and reduced harmonic distortion simultaneously
2Object-generated harmful factors
If inductive components are added to compensate for non-linear capacitive impedance, then harmonic distortion is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes inductive components (mechanical/electrical L-elements) with diode-based active components. Instead of using physical inductors to compensate for capacitive non-linearity, the invention uses the non-linear characteristics of anti-parallel diodes to actively counteract the non-linearity, achieving the same effect with simpler, more integrated circuit elements
Solution Approach 2:
The protection circuit becomes self-compensating by using the anti-parallel diodes to automatically counteract the non-linear capacitive impedance effects. The circuit self-regulates the impedance variations without requiring external compensation components, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall complexity
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 harmonic distortion and maintains signal integrity by lowering input capacitance sensitivity to voltage variations, while avoiding the use of expensive and space-consuming inductive components.
Implementation Method 1
reducing non-linear capacitive impedance by varying capacitive impedance in an opposite direction
Implementation Method 2
A protection circuit incorporating a diode string and anti-parallel diodes is coupled across signal ports and power buses
Data Source
AI summary
A protection circuit for a signal processor, a method of operating the protection circuit, and a method of forming the protection circuit. In one example, the protection circuit is couplable to a signal port and a first power bus for the signal processor. The protection circuit includes a first diode string couplable across the signal port and the first power bus. The first diode string includes a first diode and a second diode coupled in series in a same polarity sense. The protection circuit also includes a third diode coupled in parallel with one of the first diode and the second diode in an opposite polarity sense.