Switch Circuit Impedance Adjustment for Reflection-Induced Overvoltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Switch devices are vulnerable to damage due to impedance mismatch and resulting over voltage during signal transmission, which can also affect connected back-end circuits.

Innovation Solution

A switch device with a detection unit that controls a switch unit and an adjustment switch to dynamically adjust impedance by engaging or disengaging an impedance element, ensuring impedance matching and preventing over voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If impedance matching is not implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but signal reflections occur causing over voltage damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpedance matching structureVSAvoidover voltage damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic impedance adjustment by using a detection unit to monitor signal conditions and automatically control switches to engage or disengage impedance matching networks. This dynamic approach maintains impedance matching only when needed, reducing overall device complexity while preventing over voltage damage through automated protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detection unit provides feedback on signal transmission conditions to the control unit, which then adjusts the impedance matching configuration accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that impedance matching is activated only when reflections are detected, balancing protection needs with device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If impedance matching is continuously maintained, then over voltage protection is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveover voltage protectionVSAvoidimpedance matching control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts impedance matching based on real-time detection of signal conditions. The control unit receives feedback from the detection unit and selectively activates impedance matching only when reflections or over voltage conditions are detected, rather than maintaining continuous impedance matching. This reduces device complexity and energy consumption while maintaining reliable protection when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detection unit periodically monitors signal transmission conditions and triggers impedance matching adjustment only when necessary. This periodic detection approach maintains protection reliability while avoiding the continuous operation complexity of always-active impedance matching systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If detection and control units are added, then over voltage protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveover voltage protection capabilityVSAvoiddetection and control structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit and control unit are designed to perform multiple functions: detecting signal reflections, determining over voltage conditions, and controlling impedance matching adjustments. By making these components multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby improving protection capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4164128B1Switch device
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 RICHWAVE TECH CORP
  • EP4164128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4164128B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4164128B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A switch device includes a switch unit (SU1), an adjustment switch (SWA), an impedance element (R1), a node (N2) and a detection unit (DU). A first terminal and a second terminal of the adjustment switch (SWA) are respectively coupled to a second terminal of the switch unit (SU1) and a reference voltage terminal (150). A first terminal and a second terminal of the impedance element (R1) are respectively coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal of the adjustment switch (SWA). The detection unit (DU) is coupled to the node (N2), and a control terminal of the switch unit (SU1) and a control terminal of the adjustment switch (SWA). The detection unit (DU) detects a node signal (SN) at the node (N2) to accordingly control the switch unit (SU1) and the adjustment switch (SWA).