Transceiver Tunable Resistors for Capacitance Variation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In detachable capacitively coupled communication systems, variations in capacitance due to changes in distance, orientation, or environmental factors lead to synchronization issues and data transmission errors, as fixed resistor values in transceivers are not adaptable to these changes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of tunable resistors in transceivers that operate in a tuning mode, where resistor settings are adjusted based on error checks of received data packets, allowing for the selection of optimal resistance values to maintain synchronization and ensure error-free data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed resistor values are used in transceivers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to inability to adapt to capacitance variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidresistor configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements tunable resistors that can dynamically adjust their resistance values based on detected capacitance conditions. The receiver includes a plurality of resistors with different resistance values that can be selectively activated, allowing the system to adapt to varying capacitance values caused by changes in distance, orientation, or environmental factors, thereby maintaining reliable data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the resistance parameter of the receiver based on detected signal conditions. By monitoring data reception quality and capacitance variations, the system selects appropriate resistance values from the plurality of available resistors, optimizing the time constant (RC product) to match the actual capacitance conditions and maintain synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If tunable resistors are implemented to adapt to capacitance variations, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to capacitance variationsVSAvoidtransceiver circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transceiver incorporates switchable resistor networks that can dynamically reconfigure their resistance values. The receiver includes multiple resistors connected through switches or selection logic, enabling the system to adapt to different capacitance conditions while maintaining a compact integrated circuit implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment by monitoring its own reception quality and automatically selecting appropriate resistor values. The receiver detects synchronization status and data errors, then autonomously reconfigures its resistance values without external intervention, making the complexity management self-contained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If resistor settings are adjusted dynamically, then the synchronization is maintained, but the loss of time increases due to tuning procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization maintenanceVSAvoidtuning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures multiple resistors with different resistance values during manufacturing, covering a range of expected capacitance conditions. This preliminary preparation allows the receiver to quickly switch between pre-defined resistance values during operation, avoiding time-consuming real-time calculations or component adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous monitoring of data reception quality and synchronization status, using this feedback to automatically select the most appropriate resistor value. The receiver detects errors or loss of synchronization and adjusts resistance values in real-time based on the detected conditions, minimizing disruption to data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Manufacturing precision

If multiple resistor settings are checked for errors, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the productivity decreases due to extended tuning mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistor setting optimizationVSAvoiddata transmission speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system checks multiple resistor settings to find the optimal configuration, but limits the tuning process to a reasonable number of iterations. The receiver tests different resistance values and selects the first one that achieves acceptable synchronization, rather than exhaustively optimizing all parameters, thus balancing precision with productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3016336B1Transceiver circuit and methods for tuning a communication system and for communication between transceivers
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 AUSTRIAMICROSYSTEMS AG
  • EP3016336B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3016336B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3016336B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A transceiver circuit comprising a front-end (FE1) and a back-end (BE1) is provided. The front-end (FE1) comprises terminals (T1, T2) for coupling to a first and a second capacitor (C1, C2) and tunable resistors (R1, R2) coupled between the terminals (T1, T2) and a reference terminal (VSS). The front-end (FE1) is configured to receive receiver signals at the terminals (T1, T2) utilizing a first setting for the resistors (R1, R2). The front-end (FE1) is configured to generate a receiver data packet based on the receiver signals. The back-end (BE1) is configured to check the receiver data packet for errors with respect to a defined tuning data packet. If an error is found, the back-end (BE1) sets the resistors (R1, R2) to a default setting. If no errors are found, the back-end (BE1) sets the resistors (R1, R2) to a second setting.