Monitoring Method, Circuit, and System

• US 20100014203A1
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Triune Ip, LLC (Semtech Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Triune Ip, LLC (Semtech Corporation)
• Inventors: Teggatz, Ross E., Chen, Wayne T., Smith, Brett
• Granted Patent: US 8,300,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/91.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16542 for batteries charge condition monitoring in G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3835 involving only voltage measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/396 Acquisition or processing of data for testing or for monitoring individual cells or groups of cells within a battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/207 also responsive to under-voltage window comparators for indication G01R19/165
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/18 for batteries; for accumulators

Abstract

Systems, circuits, and methods are described for providing efficient, monitoring capabilities for providing output reactive to monitored conditions. According to the disclosed methods, steps are included for providing a floating gate monitoring circuit in association with a monitored circuit and programming the floating gate to a selected charge level. The programmed floating gate charge level is then compared with a signal level in a monitored circuit. In an additional step, selected comparison criteria are used for selectably activating output. Exemplary embodiments of methods and associated circuits and systems employing the methods are also disclosed, in which protection for a monitored circuit is provided in the event of undervoltage, undercurrent, overvoltage, or undervoltage. Configurations of preferred embodiments of circuits, systems, and methods using the principles of the invention are disclosed in which ultra-low power is consumed by operation in an “ON” state, and little or no significant power is consumed when operating in an “OFF” state.

Claims

1. A circuit monitoring method comprising the steps of:

providing a floating gate monitoring circuit in association with a monitored circuit;

programming the floating gate to a selected charge level;

comparing the programmed floating gate charge level with a signal level of the monitored circuit; and

using selected comparison criteria, activating an output.

2. The circuit monitoring method according to claim 1 wherein the step of comparing the programmed floating gate charge level with a signal level of the monitored circuit further comprises monitoring voltage level.

3. The circuit monitoring method according to claim 1 wherein the step of comparing the programmed floating gate charge level with a signal level of the monitored circuit further comprises monitoring current level.

4. The circuit monitoring method according to claim 1 wherein the step of activating an output further comprises activating undervoltage protection for the monitored circuit.

5. The circuit monitoring method according to claim 1 wherein the step of activating an output further comprises activating overvoltage protection for the monitored circuit.

6. The circuit monitoring method according to claim 1 wherein the step of activating an output further comprises activating undercurrent protection for the monitored circuit.

7. The circuit monitoring method according to claim 1 wherein the step of activating an output further comprises activating overcurrent protection for the monitored circuit.

8. The circuit monitoring method according to claim 1 wherein the step of activating an output further comprises providing signal level data for the monitored circuit.

9. A monitoring circuit for use with a monitored circuit having a power supply and load, the monitoring circuit comprising:

a reference generator operably coupled to the power supply and a biasing module;

a comparator operably coupled to the monitored circuit and reference generator;

wherein, the monitoring circuit is configured for monitoring a signal level in the monitored circuit and for activating an output device when one or more predetermined signal threshold is reached.

10. The monitoring circuit according to claim 9 wherein the output device further comprises a switch for alternately coupling the power supply and the load when a first signal threshold is reached, and decoupling the power supply from the load when a second signal threshold is reached.

11. The monitoring circuit according to claim 9 wherein the output device further comprises a switch for alternately coupling the power supply and the load when a first signal threshold is reached, and decoupling the power supply from the load when a second signal threshold is reached;

and

wherein the biasing module is configured for consuming ultra-low current from the power supply in the coupled state, and no current from the power supply in the decoupled state.

12. The monitoring circuit according to claim 9 wherein the output device further comprises a switch for alternately coupling the power supply and the load when a first signal threshold is reached, and decoupling the power supply from the load when a second signal threshold is reached;

and

wherein the biasing module is configured for consuming ultra-low current from the power supply in the coupled state, and ultra-low current from the power supply in the decoupled state.

13. The monitoring circuit according to claim 9 wherein the output device comprises means for indicating one or more signal level of the monitored circuit.

14. The monitoring circuit according to claim 9 configured for monitoring voltage.

15. The monitoring circuit according to claim 9 configured for monitoring current.

16. The monitoring circuit according to claim 9 configured for monitoring power.

17. The monitoring circuit according to claim 9 wherein the monitored circuit further comprises electronic power system circuitry.

18. The monitoring circuit according to claim 9 wherein the monitored circuit further comprises portable electronic system circuitry.

19. A circuit monitoring system comprising:

a floating gate monitoring circuit having a programmable floating gate and signal comparison means;

a monitored circuit operably coupled to the floating gate monitoring circuit whereby a signal of the monitored circuit may be compared with the programmable floating gate; and

an output device operably coupled to the monitored circuit and controlled with the floating gate monitoring circuit whereby the output device may be activated based upon comparison of the programmable floating gate with the monitored signal level.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the output device further comprises a switch.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the output device further comprises a switch for causing the monitored circuit to alternate between an “

OFF”

state and an “

ON”

state based upon comparison of the programmable floating gate with the monitored signal.

22. The system of claim 19 wherein the output device further comprises a switch for causing the monitored circuit to alternate between an “

OFF”

state and an “

ON”

state based upon comparison of the programmable floating gate with the monitored signal; and

wherein the floating gate monitoring circuit is configured to consume no current when the monitored circuit is in an “

OFF”

state.

23. The system of claim 19 wherein the output device further comprises a switch for causing the monitored circuit to alternate between an “

OFF”

state and an “

ON”

state based upon comparison of the programmable floating gate with the monitored signal; and

wherein the floating gate monitoring circuit is configured to consume ultra-low biasing current when the monitored circuit is in an “

OFF”

state.

24. The system of claim 19 configured for monitoring a voltage signal of the monitored circuit.

25. The system of claim 19 configured for monitoring a current signal of the monitored circuit.

26. The system of claim 19 configured for monitoring a power signal of the monitored circuit.

27. The system of claim 19 configured for monitoring a plurality of signals of the monitored circuit.

28. The system of claim 19 wherein the output device is configured for outputting signal level data based upon comparison of the programmable floating gate with one or more monitored signal level.

29. The system of claim 19 further comprising electronic power system circuitry operably coupled with the floating gate.

30. The circuit according to claim 19 further comprising portable electronic system circuitry operably coupled with the floating gate.