Touch Sensor Driver Power Rails Using Intermediate Potential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor technologies connect switches to output signal lines, which can affect transmission signals due to parasitic capacitance, leading to increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A sensor controller with transmission drivers and an intermediate potential supply unit that generates and supplies intermediate potential between power supply terminals without connecting elements like switches, managing signal transitions to reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If switches are connected to output signal lines to enable adiabatic drive technique, then power consumption is reduced, but parasitic capacitance of switches affects transmission signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the switches from the output signal lines and relocates them to the power supply terminals. This separation removes the parasitic capacitance of switches from the signal transmission path while preserving the adiabatic drive function. The switches are taken out of the signal path and placed in the power supply path instead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate potential supply terminals as mediators between the power supply and the transmission drivers. These intermediate terminals with intermediate potential (e.g., Vmid) serve as the new connection points for switches, enabling the adiabatic drive technique without directly connecting switches to the output signal lines. The intermediate potential acts as a buffer that eliminates the harmful parasitic capacitance effect.
2Loss of energy
If switches are connected to output signal lines for potential transition control, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adiabatic drive control function with the existing power supply structure. By connecting switches to the power supply terminals rather than creating separate control circuits for each output signal line, the patent combines multiple functions into the power supply path, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining power consumption reduction benefits.
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
Power consumption is reduced without the need for switches, improving signal transmission efficiency and reducing parasitic capacitance effects.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate potential supply unit having a potential generation circuit that includes a voltage source or a capacitive element separate from the transmission drivers
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a touch sensor having a plurality of detection electrodes, and a sensor controller connected to the touch sensor. The sensor controller includes a plurality of transmission drivers each having a negative power supply terminal supplied with a first potential and a positive power supply terminal supplied with a second potential higher than the first potential, and an intermediate potential supply unit that generates an intermediate potential between the first potential and the second potential, supplies the intermediate potential to at least one of the positive power supply terminal or the negative power supply terminal of at least one of the transmission drivers. The intermediate potential supply unit includes first output control circuits that discharge electricity from corresponding transmission drivers, and second output control circuits supply the intermediate potential to corresponding transmission drivers.