Voltage-Measuring Circuit Dynamic Resistor Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resistive voltage-divider circuits face challenges in accurately monitoring high voltages due to the difficulty in manufacturing and maintaining the accurate ratio of large to small resistance values, which affects the accuracy and stability of voltage division, especially in integrated circuits and across temperature variations.
Innovation Solution
A voltage-measuring circuit that uses a configuration switch to selectively interconnect resistors in parallel or series configurations based on a control signal, allowing for the determination of the input voltage without relying on the precise ratio of large to small resistance values, by measuring voltages during distinct phases and calculating the resistance ratio based on these measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large degree of voltage division is achieved using resistive voltage dividers, then high voltage monitoring capability is improved, but manufacturing precision and stability deteriorate due to difficulty in maintaining accurate resistance ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic switching between different resistor configurations (series and parallel) based on voltage levels. The circuit transitions from a fixed resistive divider to a dynamically reconfigurable network, allowing the same physical resistors to serve multiple functions depending on the input voltage magnitude, thereby avoiding the need for precisely matched large resistance ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the resistor network by switching between series and parallel configurations. This parameter change allows the circuit to adapt its voltage division ratio dynamically, eliminating the requirement for stable, precisely-matched resistance ratios that are difficult to manufacture and maintain over temperature variations.
2Measurement precision
If very large resistors are provided in an integrated circuit to achieve large voltage division, then voltage division capability is improved, but chip area increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By dynamically switching between series and parallel configurations, the circuit achieves large effective resistance values only when needed for high voltage division, while using smaller physical resistors that occupy minimal chip area. The same small resistors can present large equivalent resistance in series configuration or small equivalent resistance in parallel configuration, eliminating the need for large physical resistor areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ratio of large to small resistance values is made relatively large for high voltage division, then voltage monitoring range is improved, but stability over temperature variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit dynamically switches between configurations to maintain stable operation across different temperature conditions. By transitioning between series and parallel resistor arrangements, the circuit can compensate for temperature-induced resistance changes, maintaining accurate voltage monitoring across a wide temperature range without relying on perfectly stable resistance ratios.
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
This approach enables accurate determination of the input voltage without the need for precise resistance ratios, improving the accuracy and stability of voltage measurement across varying conditions, and is more cost-effective and efficient in terms of chip area usage.
Implementation Method 1
The configuration switch is configured to, in response to a control signal, selectively interconnect the first and second resistors into and out of one of either a parallel or series configuration
Implementation Method 2
receiving a first measurement voltage across the first and second measurement nodes when the configuration switch is in the enabled state; receiving a second measurement voltage across the first and second measurement nodes when the configuration switch is in the disabled state
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of a voltage-measuring circuit includes: a first resistor connected to a first measurement node; a second resistor connected to the first resistor and a second measurement node; a configuration switch configured to, in response to a control signal, selectively interconnect the first and second resistors, during enable and disable phases of the control signal respectively, into and out of either a parallel or a series configuration; and a control and measurement circuit configured to provide the control signal, receive a first measurement voltage from the first and second measurement nodes during the enable phase, and receive a second measurement voltage from the first and second measurement nodes during the disable phase.