Single-Pin LED Control Circuit for Drive and Detection Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control circuits require multiple pins for both operation control and detection, which complicates the design and increases the size of the electronic circuit.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit design that utilizes a single control pin for both driving a light-emitting element and providing detection results by alternating between light-emitting and non-light-emitting periods to measure voltage values, allowing for temperature and current detection without additional detection pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple detection pins are used to detect circuit characteristics, then the detection capability is improved, but the pin count increases and the circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control function and detection function into a single control pin. The control pin serves dual purposes: driving the light-emitting element during the light-emitting period and detecting circuit characteristics (temperature, current) during the non-light-emitting period. This merging eliminates the need for separate detection pins, reducing the overall pin count and circuit size while maintaining full detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control pin is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a control signal output during the light-emitting period and as a detection signal input during the non-light-emitting period. The control circuit includes switching mechanisms that enable the same pin to be used for both driving and detecting different circuit parameters, thereby achieving multi-functionality with a single pin.
2Measurement precision
If multiple detection pins are used to detect circuit characteristics, then the detection capability is improved, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single control pin, eliminating the need for separate detection pins and their associated circuitry. This reduces the number of components, simplifies the circuit design, and makes the overall system easier to implement while maintaining the ability to detect multiple circuit characteristics through time-division multiplexing.
3Area of stationary object
If a single control pin is used for both driving and detecting, then the pin count is reduced and circuit size is reduced, but the control and detection timing must be precisely managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by dividing the operation into distinct time periods: a light-emitting period for driving the light-emitting element and a non-light-emitting period for detecting circuit characteristics. This periodic time-division multiplexing allows the single control pin to perform both functions without interference, with clear timing boundaries managed by the control circuit's switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the switching states and timing sequences. Before each detection phase, the circuit prepares the appropriate detection paths and ensures the control pin is in the correct state to receive detection signals, thereby managing the timing requirements systematically and avoiding conflicts between driving and detecting operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A control circuit for an electronic circuit is disclosed. The electronic circuit includes a light-emitting element and control pin. The light-emitting element is coupled to the control pin. The control circuit includes a driving circuit and at least one detection circuit. The driving circuit is coupled to the control pin. The driving circuit drives the light-emitting element during a light-emitting period in a driving cycle of the light-emitting element. Each of the at least one detection circuit is coupled to the control pin. The at least one detection circuit receives a voltage value at the control pin during at least one non-light-emitting period in the driving cycle, and provides at least one detection result according to the voltage value of the control pin. The light-emitting element emits light during the light-emitting period and stops emitting light during the at least one non-light-emitting period.