Multi-mode crystal oscillator system selectively configurable to minimize power consumption or noise generation
First Claim
1. A crystal oscillator system configured for alternatively minimizing power consumption or noise generation, said system comprising:
- a crystal oscillator;
a first power supply for powering said crystal oscillator in a first mode of operation, wherein said first power supply operates as a switching downconverter to minimize power consumption;
a second power supply for powering said crystal oscillator in a second mode of operation, wherein said second power supply operates as a series downconverter to minimize noise generation; and
mode switching circuitry for alternatively powering said crystal oscillator from said first or said second power supply according to desired system parameters.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a multi-mode crystal oscillator system selectively configurable to minimize power consumption or noise generation. Such a system is particularly applicable to the communication system of an implantable device, e.g., the microstimulator/sensor device described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,164,284 and 6,185,452. In such devices, their small size limits the size of the battery contained within and thus makes it essential to minimize power consumption. Additionally, the small size and battery capacity result in a limited transmission power. Furthermore, the small size limits the antenna efficiency which makes it desirable to limit any noise generation to maximize the signal-to-noise level of the resulting receive signal. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention alternatively supply power to the oscillator in either a first mode that minimizes power consumption or a second mode that minimizes noise generation.
142 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A crystal oscillator system configured for alternatively minimizing power consumption or noise generation, said system comprising:
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a crystal oscillator;
a first power supply for powering said crystal oscillator in a first mode of operation, wherein said first power supply operates as a switching downconverter to minimize power consumption;
a second power supply for powering said crystal oscillator in a second mode of operation, wherein said second power supply operates as a series downconverter to minimize noise generation; and
mode switching circuitry for alternatively powering said crystal oscillator from said first or said second power supply according to desired system parameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of alternatively minimizing power consumption or noise generation of a crystal oscillator, suitable for operation in a communication system operating according to a communication protocol wherein said communication protocol is configured to have a majority of its time dedicated to intermessage delay portions between transmit and/or receive message portions, said method comprising the steps of:
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powering said crystal oscillator via a series downconverter power supply during said transmit and/or receive message portions; and
powering said crystal oscillator via a switching power supply during said intermessage delay portions. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A power supply configurable to alternatively operate in at least two modes of operation wherein in a first mode of operation, power consumption is minimized;
- and in a second mode of operation, noise generation is minimized, said power supply comprising;
a switching downconverter for operating in said first mode of operation; and
a series downconverter for operating in said second mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
- and in a second mode of operation, noise generation is minimized, said power supply comprising;
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34. A crystal oscillator having an adjustable frequency output, said crystal oscillator comprising:
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a crystal having first and second interconnection nodes; and
a programmable capacitance for coupling to a selected one of said interconnection nodes of said crystal, whereby the frequency of said crystal oscillator is adjusted. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification