Voltage Detector Circuit Segmentation for Low Voltage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage detectors struggle to correctly detect power supply voltages lower than a defined threshold, leading to potential malfunctions in electronic devices due to the inability to generate a constant reference voltage when the power supply voltage is below the lowest operational voltage.
Innovation Solution
A voltage detector system that includes a reference voltage generator producing a constant reference voltage when the power supply voltage exceeds a threshold, a detection controller enabling the detection operation by generating a control signal when the voltage surpasses a predetermined potential, and a comparison unit dividing the power supply voltage to determine if it is higher than the defined voltage based on the reference voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reference voltage generator circuit using a regulator and band gap reference circuit is used to detect whether the power supply voltage is higher than a defined voltage, then the detection function is provided, but the circuit cannot generate a constant reference voltage when the power supply voltage is lower than the lowest operational voltage Vth
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage detection function is divided into two separate circuits: a first voltage detection circuit that operates when the power supply voltage is higher than a first threshold voltage, and a second voltage detection circuit that operates when the power supply voltage is lower than the first threshold voltage. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for its specific voltage range, ensuring reliable detection across the entire operating voltage range.
Solution Approach 2:
A voltage conversion circuit acts as an intermediary between the low-voltage environment and the second voltage detection circuit. When the power supply voltage is low, the voltage conversion circuit converts it to a higher voltage that enables the second voltage detection circuit to generate a constant reference voltage and perform accurate detection.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the power supply voltage is lower than the lowest voltage Vth at which devices and circuits operate correctly, then power saving is achieved, but the constant reference voltage Vref cannot be generated and the comparator cannot correctly detect whether the power supply voltage is higher than the defined voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different voltage detection circuits based on the power supply voltage level. When the power supply voltage is high, the first voltage detection circuit operates normally. When the power supply voltage drops below the first threshold voltage, the system activates the voltage conversion circuit and the second voltage detection circuit, ensuring continuous accurate detection capability across varying voltage conditions while allowing power saving at low voltages.
3Productivity
If the voltage detector is designed to operate at low voltage to enable miniaturization and power saving, then the device can function at low voltage, but the ability to correctly detect voltage levels is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage detection functionality is segmented into multiple circuits operating at different voltage thresholds. The first voltage detection circuit handles higher voltage ranges, while the second voltage detection circuit, activated through the voltage conversion circuit, handles lower voltage ranges. This ensures that detection reliability is maintained across the entire operational voltage spectrum, enabling the device to correctly detect voltage levels even when operating at low voltage for power saving.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a voltage detector including a reference voltage generator that generates a constant reference voltage when a power supply voltage is higher than a predetermined threshold voltage, and a detector that, when the power supply voltage exceeds a voltage that is higher than the threshold voltage by a predetermined potential, detects whether the power supply voltage is higher than a defined voltage based on the reference voltage and outputs a detection result.