Fault-Tolerant Transceiver Driver With Dynamic Well Bias Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data transceivers connected in parallel to a communication medium face issues when some transceivers are energized and others are de-energized, leading to faults that interfere with communication between energized transceivers.
Innovation Solution
A fault-tolerant driver circuit with a data output driver and a well bias circuit using voltage-controlled impedances that adjust impedance based on supply voltage and enable input, ensuring communication integrity even with de-energized transceivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If transceivers are connected in parallel to a communication medium, then communication capacity is improved, but faults from de-energized transceivers interfere with communication between energized transceivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic impedance control in the driver circuit, where the output impedance automatically adjusts based on the power state of the transceiver. When de-energized, the driver transitions to a high-impedance state, dynamically adapting to power management requirements while maintaining communication reliability among active transceivers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameter (impedance) of the driver circuit based on the power state. By switching between low-impedance (energized) and high-impedance (de-energized) states, the system allows multiple transceivers to share the communication medium without interference, resolving the contradiction between parallel connection capacity and communication reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If de-energized transceivers are connected to the communication medium, then system adaptability is improved, but the de-energized transceivers load the medium and present faults
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of de-energized transceiver connections into a beneficial high-impedance state. Instead of allowing de-energized transceivers to load the communication medium and cause faults, the driver circuit automatically presents a high impedance that eliminates the harmful loading effect while maintaining system adaptability to power management requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring the driver circuit to automatically detect and respond to de-energized states. Before faults can interfere with communication, the circuit proactively switches to high-impedance mode, preventing the harmful loading effect from occurring in the first place.
Data Source
AI summary
A fault tolerant driver circuit includes a data output driver that receives an enable input and that includes a transistor formed on an isolation well. A well bias circuit provides a first well bias to the isolation well. The well bias circuit includes voltage-controlled impedances that are controlled by a voltage of the data output line, the enable input and a supply voltage. The voltage-controlled impedances connect the first well bias alternatively to: a common conductor through a first impedance when the supply voltage is ON and the enable input is ON; and a second impedance when the supply voltage is on and enable is OFF.