Single-transformer digital isolation barrier
First Claim
1. A communication link, comprising:
- an isolation barrier including a transformer having a system-side winding and a line-side winding;
a system-side interface circuit connected to the transformer'"'"'s system-side winding; and
a line-side interface circuit connected to the transformer'"'"'s line-side winding;
wherein the system-side interface circuit is capable of transmitting a signal across the transformer to the line-side interface circuit, the signal including (i) data content and (ii) energy to supply a substantial portion of the line-side interface circuit'"'"'s electrical load.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a single digital communication link between system-side and line-side circuitry in a DAA, capable both of carrying data signals and of transferring a substantial amount of power to the line-side circuitry. The invention comprises a system-side interface circuit, a line-side interface circuit, and an isolation barrier including a transformer. Each interface circuit is capable of connection to an upstream communication circuit (either line-side or system-side), from which it may receive data signals to be transmitted across the isolation barrier to the other interface circuit, and to which it may pass data signals received across the isolation barrier from the other interface circuit. The line-side interface circuit may further include a rectifier and a storage device.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A communication link, comprising:
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an isolation barrier including a transformer having a system-side winding and a line-side winding;
a system-side interface circuit connected to the transformer'"'"'s system-side winding; and
a line-side interface circuit connected to the transformer'"'"'s line-side winding;
wherein the system-side interface circuit is capable of transmitting a signal across the transformer to the line-side interface circuit, the signal including (i) data content and (ii) energy to supply a substantial portion of the line-side interface circuit'"'"'s electrical load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of transferring data and power from a system-side circuit to a line-side circuit connected via an isolation barrier including a transformer having a system-side winding and a line-side winding, comprising the steps of:
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inputting a first signal, comprising (i) data content and (ii) energy to supply a substantial portion of the line-side circuit'"'"'s electrical load, into the transformer'"'"'s system-side winding;
transforming the first signal at the transformer'"'"'s system-side winding to a first transformed signal at the transformer'"'"'s line-side winding;
providing a portion of the first transformed signal to a receive buffer; and
rectifying another portion of the first transformed signal to create a first rectified signal; and
storing the first rectified signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A signal-powered integrated circuit, comprising:
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an integrated circuit die including a ground node, a supply node, and a first terminal for receiving an input signal having data content and a predetermined energy;
a receive buffer formed on the integrated circuit die, connected to the first terminal and capable of receiving the data content associated with the input signal;
a rectifier formed on the integrated circuit die, the rectifier including a first diode connected between the first terminal and the ground node, and a second diode connected between the first terminal and the supply node, wherein the rectifier is capable of rectifying the input signal and passing at least a portion of the input signal'"'"'s predetermined energy to the supply node, and wherein each of the first and second diodes is capable of withstanding an ESD impulse. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of powering an integrated circuit, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first input signal having data content and a predetermined energy at a first terminal of the integrated circuit;
rectifying a portion of the first input signal via a first diode connected between the first terminal and a ground node of the integrated circuit, and a second diode connected between the first terminal and a supply node of the integrated circuit; and
storing at least a portion of the first input signal'"'"'s predetermined energy at the supply node;
wherein each of the first and second diodes is capable of withstanding an ESD impulse. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification