IP Library Granted Patent US 9,454,171
Granted Patent B2
US 9,454,171 · App. 14/591,623 · Granted Sep 27, 2016

Validation circuit for reference voltage shifted data

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,454,171
App. No.
14/591,623
Granted
Sep 27, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A controller includes a high-side circuit, a low-side circuit, a level-shift circuit, and a data-validation circuit. The high-side circuit is referenced to an offset-voltage reference that is offset voltage-wise relative to a ground reference of the controller. The low-side circuit is operable to output a control signal for the high-side circuit. The control signal is referenced to the ground reference. The level-shift circuit is configured to output a shifted signal to the high-side circuit that is referenced to the offset-voltage reference and based on the control signal. The data-validation circuit is configured to receive the shifted signal, determine a first value of the shifted signal at a first instant, determine a second value of the shifted signal at a second instant different in time from the first instant, and validate the shifted signal based on a determination that the first value and the second value correspond.

Claims (14)

1. A controller comprising:

a high-side circuit referenced to an offset-voltage reference that is offset voltage-wise relative to a ground reference of the controller;

a low-side circuit operable to output a control signal for the high-side circuit, wherein the control signal is referenced to the ground reference;

a level-shift circuit configured to output a shifted signal to the high-side circuit that is referenced to the offset-voltage reference and based on the control signal;

a data-validation circuit configured to receive the shifted signal, determine a first value of the shifted signal at a first instant, determine a second value of the shifted signal at a second instant different in time from the first instant, and validate the shifted signal based on a determination that the first value and the second value correspond.

2. The controller in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the high-side circuit is operable to apply a high-side voltage to a high-side terminal of a load, wherein the high-side circuit is referenced to the high-side terminal.

3. The controller in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the low-side circuit is also operable to apply a low-side voltage to a low-side terminal of the load.

4. The controller in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the control signal output by the low-side circuit at the second instant is characterized as an ones-complement of the control signal output by the low-side circuit at the first instant, whereby the first value and the second value correspond when the second value equals an ones-complement of the first value.

5. The controller in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the data-validation circuit includes a first data-latch configured to capture the first value at the first instant, a second data-latch configured to capture the second value at the second instant, and an exclusive-or-gate configured to indicate if the first value and the second value correspond.

6. The controller in accordance with claim 5 , wherein the control signal includes a plurality of data-bits output in parallel, the data-validation circuit includes a plurality of exclusive-or gates configured to compare the first value and the second value of each of the data-bits, and the data-validation circuit includes a first and-gate configured to output a Data-Loaded-and-Stored-Correctly (DLSC) signal when the first value and the second value of all of the data-bits correspond.

7. The controller in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the level-shift circuit is further configured to shift the DLSC from the offset-voltage reference to the ground reference for use by the low-side circuit.

8. The controller in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the data-validation circuit includes a protected register configured to capture the outputs of the first data latch and the second data latch for each of the data-bits in response to the DLSC signal.

9. The controller in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the data-validation circuit includes a second and-gate configured to output a Protected-Register-data-OK (PROK) signal when the outputs of the first data latch and the second data latch of all of the data-bits captured by the protected register correspond.

10. The controller in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the level-shift circuit is further configured to shift the PROK from the offset-voltage reference to the ground reference for use by the low-side circuit.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 18, 2024
From: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITED
To: BORGWARNER US TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 068985/0968 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2018
From: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITED
Reel/Frame 045097/0048 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 7, 2015
From: GLENN, JACK L.; GOSE, MARK W.; PENROD, DANIEL C.
To: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 034656/0672 →