Switchable Terminal Reference Potential in Integrated Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integrated circuits lack a flexible and efficient means to provide a reference potential to terminals, making them susceptible to interference from neighboring signals, and existing reference potential means are not suitable for all types of terminals due to their high-impedance design and area requirements.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with a switchable reference potential that can be controlled between a predefined electric potential and no potential, using a control signal or the useful signal itself to switch between reference and signal states, employing field-effect transistors with a width/length ratio less than 1 and NAND gates to ensure self-sustaining operation with minimal current flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reference potential means are realized as pull-up or pull-down circuits with high-impedance resistors, then terminals have a defined electric potential in absence of useful signal, but the reference potential means require certain area on the integrated circuit and are not suitable for all types of terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reference potential function with the useful signal path by using the same conductor for both purposes. The reference potential means are integrated into the signal path such that the useful signal conductor also serves as the reference potential conductor, eliminating the need for separate high-impedance resistor connections and reducing area requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the useful signal conductor multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a signal transmission path and as a reference potential path. The reference potential means can be activated through the existing signal conductor, making the conductor universal for both signal and reference functions, thus reducing the need for additional dedicated reference potential circuitry.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If reference potential means are activated continuously to protect terminals from interference, then terminals are protected against coupling of interference signals, but electric current flows continuously increasing power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic activation of the reference potential means by detecting the presence or absence of useful signals. The reference potential is activated only during periods when no useful signal is present (or when interference risk is detected), and deactivated when useful signals are present, creating a periodic on-off pattern that reduces continuous current flow while maintaining protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms to monitor the signal state at terminals and automatically control the activation of reference potential means. When the detection circuitry identifies that a terminal is floating or vulnerable to interference, it automatically activates the reference potential; when a useful signal is detected, the reference potential is deactivated, creating a closed-loop system that responds dynamically to actual conditions.
3Ease of operation
If additional control signals are used to switch reference potential means, then switching precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the reference potential means to self-regulate by using the absence or presence of useful signals as the control mechanism. The system monitors its own operating state and automatically activates or deactivates reference potential without requiring external control signals, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic switching mechanism where the reference potential activation state changes automatically based on real-time detection of signal conditions. The system transitions between active and inactive states dynamically in response to detected signal presence, absence, or floating conditions, providing adaptive control without fixed external control signals.
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 protects terminals from interference by providing a defined electric potential only when needed, reducing area requirements and enabling efficient switching without additional control signals, thus enhancing the reliability and flexibility of the integrated circuit.
Implementation Method 1
employing field-effect transistors with a width/length ratio less than 1
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit is provided having at least one terminal for coupling and/or decoupling of electric signals, particularly of digital signals, and having integrated reference potential means, assigned to the terminal, for providing an electric reference potential to the terminal. It is provided according to an embodiment of the invention that the reference potential means is switchable, particularly by an override process.