Switchable Pull-Up Resistor Control for SoC Configuration Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current integrated circuits face reliability issues due to target chips receiving error signals from configuration pins before they are powered on, caused by the discharge of pull-up resistors sharing the same power supply as the SoC.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a switchable pull-up resistor within the integrated circuit, controlled by a control unit, which is kept in an off state before the target chip is powered on, preventing the transmission of pull-up voltage to the configuration pin and thus avoiding error signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pull-up resistor is disposed for each configuration pin in the peripheral circuit of the SoC, then the configuration pin can be pulled up to provide control signals to the target chip, but the target chip receives error signals before it is powered on because the pull-up power supply discharges when the SoC is powered on
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is configured to control the switchable pull-up resistor to be in an off state before the target chip is powered on. This preliminary action prevents the pull-up voltage from being transmitted to the configuration pin and target chip before the target chip is ready to receive signals, thereby avoiding error signals and improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The pull-up resistor is designed as a switchable pull-up resistor that can dynamically change its state between on and off based on the power-on status of the target chip. This dynamic characteristic allows the system to adapt to different operational stages, ensuring the configuration pin is only pulled up when the target chip is properly powered on and can correctly interpret the control signals
2Reliability
If a separate pull-up power supply is disposed for the pull-up resistor, then the target chip can receive correct control signals, but the peripheral circuit structure becomes more complex and board area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pull-up power supply and the SoC power supply are merged into a single power supply system. The control unit manages the power distribution to the switchable pull-up resistor based on the target chip's power-on status, eliminating the need for a separate pull-up power supply while maintaining signal transmission accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the power supply and the switchable pull-up resistor. It monitors the power-on status of the target chip and controls the switchable pull-up resistor accordingly, enabling correct signal transmission without requiring a separate power supply or increasing circuit 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
This solution enhances the reliability of the integrated circuit by preventing abnormal operations in target chips and simplifies the peripheral circuit structure, reducing board area and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first end of the switchable pull-up resistor is connected to the power supply pin, a second end of the switchable pull-up resistor is connected to the configuration pin, and a control end of the switchable pull-up resistor is connected to the control unit
Data Source
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AI summary
An integrated circuit, a control method, and a system are provided, to improve reliability of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit mainly includes a power supply pin (PI), a configuration pin (P4, P5), a switchable pull-up resistor (KR1, KR2), and a control unit (2011). The integrated circuit can provide a control signal for a target chip (202) by using the configuration pin (P4, P5) of the integrated circuit. In the integrated circuit, a first end of the switchable pull-up resistor (KR1, KR2) is connected to the power supply pin (PI), a second end of the switchable pull-up resistor (KR1, KR2) is connected to the configuration pin (P4, P5), and a control end of the switchable pull-up resistor (KR1, KR2) is connected to the control unit (2011). The power supply pin (PI) can receive a power supply voltage of the integrated circuit. The control unit (2011) can control the switchable pull-up resistor (KR1, KR2) to be in an off state before the target chip (202) is powered on. This helps prevent the target chip (202) from receiving an error signal from the configuration pin (P4, P5) of the integrated circuit before the target chip (202) is powered on. In this way, reliability of the integrated circuit is improved. In addition, a structure of a peripheral circuit of the integrated circuit is further simplified.