Single Inductor Power Management for USB OTG Voltage Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile electronic devices equipped with USB OTG interfaces require both voltage step-up and down-conversion circuits, which typically include expensive and space-consuming inductors, but these functions are rarely active simultaneously, leading to inefficiencies and increased component costs.
Innovation Solution
A power management unit that uses a single inductor and switched-mode driving circuit to perform both voltage step-up and down-conversion functions, depending on the device's role as a host or peripheral, allowing for the sharing of components and reducing the need for multiple inductors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate inductors are used for voltage step-up and down-conversion circuits, then both USB host and peripheral functions can be supported, but device complexity and component cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single inductor that serves dual purposes: functioning as the step-up inductor when the device operates in USB host mode and as the step-down inductor when operating in USB peripheral mode. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate inductors for each circuit, reducing component count while maintaining full USB OTG functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the step-up and step-down inductors into a single shared inductor component. By combining these two previously separate magnetic components into one, the design reduces bill of materials cost, decreases PCB space requirements, and simplifies the overall power management architecture while still supporting both USB host and peripheral operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate inductors are used for voltage step-up and down-conversion circuits, then both USB host and peripheral functions can be supported, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single inductor that serves dual purposes: functioning as the step-up inductor when the device operates in USB host mode and as the step-down inductor when operating in USB peripheral mode. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate inductors for each circuit, reducing component count while maintaining full USB OTG functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the step-up and step-down inductors into a single shared inductor component. By combining these two previously separate magnetic components into one, the design reduces bill of materials cost, decreases PCB space requirements, and simplifies the overall power management architecture while still supporting both USB host and peripheral operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two separate inductors are used for voltage step-up and down-conversion circuits, then both USB host and peripheral functions can be supported, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single inductor that serves dual purposes: functioning as the step-up inductor when the device operates in USB host mode and as the step-down inductor when operating in USB peripheral mode. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate inductors for each circuit, reducing component count while maintaining full USB OTG functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the step-up and step-down inductors into a single shared inductor component. By combining these two previously separate magnetic components into one, the design reduces bill of materials cost, decreases PCB space requirements, and simplifies the overall power management architecture while still supporting both USB host and peripheral operations.
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 solution simplifies the power management unit, reduces component costs, and saves space by allowing a single coil arrangement to handle both functions, optimizing battery charging and USB voltage supply without the need for redundant components.
Implementation Method 1
Voltage step-up circuits are commonly of the switched-mode type, and include one or more inductors
Data Source
AI summary
A power management unit for a battery-operated electronic device having a bus interface for the interconnection with another electronic device, the power management unit including an electric energy storage element coupled between a battery of the battery-operated electronic device and a voltage supply line of the bus interface, the electric energy storage element being operable to charge/discharge electric energy; a drive circuitry arranged to control a charge/discharge of the electric energy storage element. The drive circuitry is operable to cause an electric power supplied by the other electronic device through the voltage supply line to re-charge the battery; or, in case the other electronic device does not supply electric power, cause the battery supply electric power to the other electronic device through the voltage supply line. The power management unit is particularly adapted for battery-operated, mobile USB OTG devices.