Patent Description:
As data transmission service demands increase, interconnection between integrated circuit (Integrated Circuit, IC) chips becomes increasingly important. A level conversion circuit needs to be connected between different chips, to implement digital signal level conversion between the different chips.

<FIG> is a schematic circuit diagram of a digital signal input circuit. It can be learned from a circuit <NUM> shown in <FIG> that a digital signal is inputted from a digital input (Digital In, DI) port, and is inputted into an isolating circuit <NUM> after voltage division by means of a resistor R1 and a resistor R2. A light emitting diode <NUM> in the isolating circuit determines whether a level of the digital signal is a high level or a low level. Finally, the level of the digital signal is converted, by using a pull-up resistor R3, into a level that can be supported by a target ship. The digital signal is outputted from a digital output (Digtal Out, DO) port, and is inputted into the target chip. In the circuit <NUM>, the light emitting diode in the isolating circuit determines whether the level of the digital signal is a high level or a low level. However, precision of determining a level by a light emitting diode is relatively low, and a conversion error easily occurs when a level of a digital signal is converted.

<CIT> relates to a fluorescent lamp replacement may include one or more LED drivers and lamps in various embodiments, as well as a shock hazard/pin safety circuit. The present invention provides a fluorescent lamp replacement that, for example, powers an LED and/or OLED and/or QD lamp from a fluorescent fixture, including operating <NUM> and being powered by electronic ballasts. In some embodiments, a fluorescent lamp replacement includes a number of pins configured to electrically connect to a fluorescent lamp fixture, at least one non-fluorescent light source, a transistor between at least one of the pins and the at least one non-fluorescent light source, and a shock hazard protection circuit configured to disable the transistor to limit current flowing through at least some of the pins.

<CIT> relates to a circuit includes: a diode bridge having polarity-independent input terminals for coupling to a DALI bus, and having positive and negative output terminals, wherein the diode bridge receives a receive signal from the DALI bus; a galvanic isolation device having an input for receiving the receive signal from the diode bridge, and an output for outputting the receive signal galvanically isolated from the diode bridge and the DALI bus; a receive signal threshold reference device for setting a threshold voltage for the galvanic isolation device to respond to the receive signal; an amplifier for receiving the galvanically isolated receive signal from the galvanic isolation device and outputting a binary digital signal via a low pass filter; and a first duty cycle control device for adjusting the timing of rising edges of the galvanically isolated receive signal with respect to its falling edges.

<CIT> relates to a low current binary input subsystem for providing a binary input signal to a data acquisition system. The binary input subsystem monitors the open/close state of a field contact and provides galvanic isolation of noisy field contacts, high noise immunity, a steady state current of approximately <NUM> milliamps resulting in power dissipation of approximately <NUM> watts for a <NUM> VDC input, and a momentary high current pulse of approximately <NUM> milliamps for a duration of approximately <NUM> milliseconds during field contact closure to aid in cleaning of oxides from the field contact.

<CIT> provides a level isolation and conversion circuit for receiving an externally input level signal and implementing level isolation and conversion.

<CIT> relates to a control circuit includes an obtaining module (<NUM>), adapted to obtain a voltage signal produced by a reverse surge current when the reverse surge current appears on a primary side of a switch power circuit of a synchronous rectification circuit; a maintaining module (<NUM>), adapted to continuously output a first control signal in a preset first time period when the voltage signal is greater than a preset first voltage threshold; and a control module (<NUM>), adapted to control to switch off switch tubes of the secondary side of the switch power circuit of the synchronous rectification circuit according to the first control signal. Thus, a reverse current surge of the switch power circuit of the synchronous rectification circuit can be effectively suppressed, and the safety of a switch power supply of the synchronous rectification circuit can be effectively protected. The power supply device using the control circuit can effectively improve safety and reliability of the power supply.

This application provides a digital signal input circuit, so as to increase correctness of digital signal level conversion.

Aspects or embodiments outside the scope of the claims are provided for understanding the invention.

A first aspect provides a digital signal input circuit, including an isolating circuit and a voltage determining circuit, where a first port of an input end of the isolating circuit is connected to an input end of the digital signal input circuit and configured to receive a digital signal, an output end of the isolating circuit is connected to an output end of the digital signal input circuit and configured to output a converted digital signal, and when the isolating circuit is open, the isolating circuit is configured to output a first level, or when the isolating circuit is closed, the isolating circuit is configured to output a second level; and an input end of the voltage determining circuit is connected to the input end of the digital signal input circuit and configured to receive the digital signal, an output end of the voltage determining circuit is connected to a second port of the input end of the isolating circuit, and the voltage determining circuit is configured to determine, according to a level of the digital signal, whether the isolating circuit is open or closed.

According to the digital signal input circuit, a voltage determining circuit determines a level of a digital signal, so as to avoid determining of a level of a digital signal by means of a light emitting diode in the prior art. In this way, correctness of digital signal level conversion is increased.

In a possible implementation, the voltage determining circuit includes a voltage comparator, a first input end of the voltage comparator is connected to the input end of the digital signal input circuit, a second input end of the voltage comparator is connected to a reference voltage source, and an output end of the voltage comparator is connected to a switching device, where the voltage comparator is configured to control an on/off state of the switching device according to a high-low relationship between the level of the digital signal and a level of the reference voltage source, and the switching device is configured to control the isolating circuit to be open or closed.

Optionally, the first input end of the voltage comparator is a non-inverting input end, and the second input end of the voltage comparator is an inverting input end.

In this solution, a voltage comparator in a voltage determining circuit determines a level of a digital signal, so as to avoid determining of a level of a digital signal by means of a light emitting diode in the prior art. In this way, correctness of digital signal level conversion is increased.

Further, generally, a digital signal level range supported by a voltage comparator is larger than a digital signal level range supported by a light emitting diode. That is, compared with a digital signal input circuit in the prior art, the digital signal input circuit provided in this solution can support a larger digital signal level conversion range.

The foregoing switching device may be a bipolar transistor or a metal-oxide semiconductor (Metal Oxide Semiconductor, MOS) field-effect transistor.

The voltage determining circuit includes a voltage comparator, a first input end of the voltage comparator is connected to the input end of the digital signal, a second input end of the voltage comparator is connected to a reference voltage source, and an output end of the voltage comparator is connected to a switching device by using a controller. The voltage comparator controls an on/off state of the switching device by using the controller, and the on/off state of the switching device can control the isolating circuit to be open or closed.

In a possible implementation, the switching device is a bipolar transistor, the output end of the voltage comparator is connected to a base of the bipolar transistor, a collector of the bipolar transistor is connected to the second port of the input end of the isolating circuit, and an emitter of the bipolar transistor is grounded.

In a possible implementation, the voltage determining circuit further includes a resistive voltage division circuit, an input end of the resistive voltage division circuit is connected to the input end of the digital signal input circuit, and an output end of the resistive voltage division circuit is connected to the non-inverting input end of the voltage comparator, where the resistive voltage division circuit is configured to perform voltage division on the digital signal.

In this solution, a digital signal on which a resistive voltage division circuit performs voltage division is inputted into a voltage comparator. In this way, when a level range supported by the voltage comparator is fixed, the digital signal level range supported by the voltage comparator is expanded to some extent.

Further, a resistance value in the resistive voltage division circuit may be further adjusted, so as to adjust a digital signal level range supported by the digital signal input circuit.

In a possible implementation, a collector of the isolating circuit includes a photobipolar transistor, an output end of the photobipolar transistor is connected to a power supply by using a pull-up resistor, the output end of the photobipolar transistor is connected to the output end of the digital signal input circuit, and the power supply is configured to provide a voltage to the pull-up resistor to convert the level of the digital signal into the first level or the second level.

In this solution, a level of a digital signal is adjusted by using a pull-up resistor connected to an output end of a photobipolar transistor, so as to adjust the level of the digital signal to a level supported by a target chip.

In a possible implementation, a collector of the isolating circuit includes a photobipolar transistor, an input end of the photobipolar transistor is connected to a power supply by using a pull-up resistor, the input end of the photobipolar transistor is connected to the output end of the digital signal input circuit, and the power supply is configured to provide a voltage to the pull-up resistor to convert the level of the digital signal into the first level or the second level.

In this solution, a level of a digital signal is adjusted by using a pull-up resistor connected to an input end of a photobipolar transistor, so as to adjust the level of the digital signal to a level supported by a target chip.

In a possible implementation, the digital signal input circuit further includes a constant current source circuit, and an emitter of the isolating circuit includes a light emitting diode, where an input end of the constant current source circuit is connected to the input end of the digital signal input circuit, an output end of the constant current source circuit is connected to the light emitting diode of the isolating circuit, and the constant current source circuit is configured to provide a constant current to the light emitting diode.

Optionally, the constant current source circuit is encapsulated into a constant current source chip.

In this solution, a constant current source circuit provides a constant current to a light emitting diode, to ensure that the light emitting diode properly works.

In a possible implementation, the constant current source circuit includes a first bipolar transistor, a second bipolar transistor, and a resistor, a model of the first bipolar transistor is the same as a model of the second bipolar transistor, and the first bipolar transistor and branch circuits in which the resistor and the second bipolar transistor are located are connected in parallel between the input end and the output end of the constant current source circuit.

In this solution, a constant current is provided to a light emitting diode by using a feature that BE knot voltages of bipolar transistors with a same model are similar. This can ensure that the light emitting diode properly works.

The following describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

<FIG> is a schematic circuit diagram of a digital signal input circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. A circuit <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a voltage determining circuit <NUM> and an isolating circuit <NUM>.

Isolating circuit <NUM>: A first port of an input end of the isolating circuit is connected to an input end of a digital signal, an output end of the isolating circuit is connected to an output end of the digital signal, and when the isolating circuit is open, the isolating circuit is configured to output a first level, or when the isolating circuit is disclosed, the isolating circuit is configured to output a second level. Voltage determining circuit <NUM>: An input end of the voltage determining circuit is connected to the input end of the digital signal, an output end of the voltage determining circuit is connected to a second port of the input end of the isolating circuit, and the voltage determining circuit is configured to determine, according to a level of the digital signal, whether the isolating circuit is open or closed.

The foregoing digital signal may be a signal that carries a digital parameter.

The voltage determining circuit may determine, according to the level of the digital signal, whether the isolating circuit is open or closed, to control the level of the digital signal that is outputted by the isolating circuit. For example, when the voltage determining circuit determines that the digital signal is at a high level, the voltage determining circuit controls the isolating circuit to be closed, and the output end of the isolating circuit may adjust the high level of the digital signal to a low level in a range that can be supported by a chip. When the voltage determining circuit determines that the digital signal is at a low level, the voltage determining circuit controls the isolating circuit to be open, and the output end of the isolating circuit can adjust the low level of the digital signal to a high level in a range that can be supported by a chip.

The isolating circuit may convert the level of the digital signal into a first level or a second level in a range that can be supported by a target chip. The first level may be a high level in the range that can be supported by the target chip, and correspondingly, the second level may be a low level in the range that can be supported by the target chip. Alternatively, the first level may be a low level in the range that can be supported by the target chip, and correspondingly, the second level may be a high level in the range that can be supported by the target chip.

That the foregoing circuit converts the level of the digital signal into a level that can be supported by a chip further includes: converting a high level of the digital signal into a low level that can be supported by the chip, or converting a low level of the digital signal into a high level that can be supported by the chip.

The foregoing isolating circuit may be an optical coupling circuit, and the optical coupling circuit is generally a device that transmits an electrical signal by using light as a medium. A light emitter (for example, an infrared light emitting diode) and a light receiver (for example, a photosensitive semiconductor transistor) are generally encapsulated in a same pipe shell. When an electrical signal is inputted into an input end (that is, an emitter) at which the light emitter is located, the light emitter transmits a ray. An output end (that is, a collector) at which the light receiver is located receives the ray, and generates a photocurrent, which is outputted from the output end of the isolating circuit. In this way, "electric-photo-electric" conversion is implemented, and electric isolation is implemented at the input end of the isolating circuit and the output end of the isolating circuit.

Optionally, the foregoing isolating circuit may be an optical coupling circuit. The first port of the input end of the isolating circuit may be a port connected to a positive electrode of a light emitting diode in the optical coupling circuit, and the second port of the input end of the isolating circuit may be a port connected to a negative electrode of the light emitting diode. Alternatively, the first port of the input end of the isolating circuit may be a port connected to a negative electrode of a light emitting diode in the optical coupling circuit, and the second port of the input end of the isolating circuit may be a port connected to a positive electrode of the light emitting diode. For the digital signal input circuit shown in <FIG>, that the output end of the voltage determining circuit is connected to the isolating circuit by using the second port of the input end of the isolating circuit is merely used as an example. The present invention sets no specific limitation on a form of a connection between the voltage determining circuit and the isolating circuit.

For ease of description below, the digital signal input circuit shown in <FIG> is referred to as a branch circuit. The branch circuit may convert a digital signal at a high level into a digital signal at a low level, and the branch circuit may further adjust a level of a digital signal to adapt to a digital signal level range supported by a target chip.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the voltage determining circuit includes a voltage comparator, a first input end of the voltage comparator is connected to the input end of the digital signal, a second input end of the voltage comparator is connected to a reference voltage source, and an output end of the voltage comparator is connected to a switching device. The voltage comparator is configured to control a connectivity status of the switching device according to a high-low relationship between the level of the digital signal and a level of the reference voltage source, and the switching device is configured to control the isolating circuit to be open or closed.

The foregoing switching device may be a device such as a bipolar transistor or a MOS transistor.

Optionally, the first input end of the voltage comparator is a non-inverting input end, and the second input end of the voltage comparator is an inverting input end. Specifically, when the level of the digital signal is higher than the level of the reference voltage source, the voltage comparator outputs a digital signal at a high level. When the level of the digital signal is lower than the level of the reference voltage source, the voltage comparator outputs a digital signal at a low level.

Optionally, the first input end of the voltage comparator is an inverting input end, and the second input end of the voltage comparator is a non-inverting input end. Specifically, when the level of the digital signal is higher than the level of the reference voltage source, the voltage comparator outputs a digital signal at a low level. When the level of the digital signal is lower than the level of the reference voltage source, the voltage comparator outputs a digital signal at a high level.

Optionally, the voltage determining circuit includes a voltage comparator, a first input end of the voltage comparator is connected to the input end of the digital signal, a second input end of the voltage comparator is connected to a reference voltage source, and an output end of the voltage comparator is connected to a switching device by using a controller. The voltage comparator controls an on/off state of the switching device by using the controller, and the on/off state of the switching device may be used to control the isolating circuit to be open or closed.

The foregoing switching device may be a bipolar transistor or a MOS transistor. The foregoing controller may be a microcontroller unit (Microcontroller Unit, MCU), or the foregoing controller may be another device that can control, by using the switching device, the isolating circuit to be open or closed. This embodiment of the present invention sets no limitation on a specific implementation form of the controller.

Optionally, the output end of the voltage comparator is connected to a base of the bipolar transistor, a collector of the bipolar transistor is connected to the isolating circuit, an emitter of the bipolar transistor is grounded, and the voltage comparator controls, by using the bipolar transistor, the isolating circuit to be open or closed.

For example, <FIG> shows a schematic circuit diagram of a principle of a voltage determining circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that a circuit <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be at a location of <NUM> in <FIG>. An input end of a digital signal is connected to a non-inverting input end of a voltage comparator <NUM>, an inverting input end of the voltage comparator <NUM> is connected to a reference voltage source, and an output end of the voltage comparator is connected to a base of a bipolar transistor <NUM> by using a resistor R. The resistor R may be used to adjust a voltage that is outputted by the voltage comparator. A collector of the bipolar transistor is connected to an input end of an isolating circuit (which is not shown in <FIG>), and an emitter of the bipolar transistor may be grounded.

When a level of a digital signal that is inputted by the input port of the digital signal is higher than a voltage of the reference voltage source, the voltage comparator outputs a digital signal at a high level, and the high level may be used as a voltage of the emitter of the bipolar transistor. When a voltage of the high level is greater than a breakover voltage of a PN knot of the bipolar transistor, the bipolar transistor is in a conductive state, that is, a branch circuit in which the input end of the isolating circuit that is connected to the bipolar transistor is in a conductive state. That is, a photodiode in the isolating circuit is conductive.

In the foregoing schematic circuit diagram, the voltage determining circuit is only used to implement a principle of voltage determining. In an implementation process, various variations may be made to the foregoing circuit diagram, and a new device may be added in the foregoing circuit diagram. The present invention sets no specific limitation on a connection manner of the voltage determining circuit.

In a process of implementing the foregoing voltage determining circuit, the voltage determining circuit may be implemented by using a dedicated chip of the voltage determining circuit, or may be implemented by using an operation amplifying circuit. The present invention sets no specific limitation on an implementation form of the voltage determining circuit.

Optionally, the voltage determining circuit further includes a resistive voltage division circuit, an input end of the resistive voltage division circuit is connected to the input end of the digital signal, and an output end of the resistive voltage division circuit is connected to the non-inverting input end of the voltage comparator, where the resistive voltage division circuit is configured to perform voltage division on the digital signal.

For example, <FIG> is a schematic circuit diagram of a principle of a voltage determining circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that a same reference sign is used for a same device in the circuit diagram shown in <FIG> and the circuit diagram shown in <FIG>. For brevity, details are not described herein.

Based on the voltage determining circuit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a resistive voltage division circuit <NUM> is added to a voltage determining circuit <NUM> shown in <FIG>. It can be learned from the resistive voltage division circuit <NUM> shown in <FIG> that the resistive voltage division circuit may include a first resistor <NUM> and a second resistor <NUM>. One end of the first resistor is connected to an input end of a digital signal, the first resistor and the second resistor are serially connected, and an output end of the resistive voltage division circuit is connected to a non-inverting input end of the voltage comparator <NUM>. When the digital signal is inputted from an input end, the first resistor and the second resistor that are serially connected perform voltage division, and the digital signal is outputted from an output end <NUM> between the first resistor and the second resistor.

Resistance values of the first resistor and the second resistor in the resistive voltage division circuit may be set according to a related performance parameter of a voltage comparator. The present invention sets no specific limitation thereto.

The foregoing resistive voltage division circuit is configured to perform voltage division on a level of a digital signal, to expand a digital signal level range. The present invention sets no specific limitation on a form of a voltage division circuit. There may be another circuit that can be used for voltage division or voltage stabilization.

When a resistance value of the first resistor <NUM> is R1, a resistance value of the second resistor <NUM> is R2, a voltage of a reference voltage source of the voltage comparator is Vref, and a maximum voltage that can be supported by a target chip is Vmax. Therefore, a digital signal voltage range that can be supported by the voltage determining circuit may be Vref × (R1 + R2)/R2 to Vmax × (R1 + R2)/R2. When the level of the digital signal is lower than Vref, the voltage comparator does not work.

Optionally, a collector of the isolating circuit includes a photobipolar transistor, an output end of the photobipolar transistor is connected to a power supply by using a pull-up resistor, the output end of the photobipolar transistor is connected to the output end of the digital signal, and the power supply is configured to provide a voltage to the pull-up resistor to convert the level of the digital signal into the first level or the second level.

For example, when a level that is outputted by the isolating circuit is less than a voltage range that can be supported by the target chip, the pull-up resistor may be used to provide a current component to "pull high" the level of the digital signal, so as to meet a level that can be supported by the target chip.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the digital signal input circuit further includes a constant current source circuit, and an emitter of the isolating circuit includes a light emitting diode. An input end of the constant current source circuit is connected to the input end of the digital signal, an output end of the constant current source circuit is connected to the light emitting diode of the isolating circuit, and the constant current source circuit is configured to provide a constant current to the light emitting diode.

The foregoing constant current source circuit may be implemented by using a transistor, may be implemented by using a field effect, or may be implemented by using a shunt regulator. The present invention sets no specific limitation on an implementation form of the constant current source circuit.

Optionally, the constant current source circuit includes two bipolar transistors with a same model and a resistor, the two bipolar transistors include a first bipolar transistor and a second bipolar transistor, and the first bipolar transistor and branch circuits in which the resistor and the second bipolar transistor are located are connected in parallel between the input end and the output end of the constant current source circuit.

<FIG> shows a schematic circuit diagram of a principle of a digital signal input circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that a same reference sign is used for a device in the circuit shown in <FIG> and a device in the circuit diagram shown in <FIG>. For brevity, details are not described herein. A circuit <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a constant current source circuit <NUM>. It can be learned from <FIG> that a constant current source circuit <NUM> includes two bipolar transistors with a same model: a bipolar transistor <NUM> a bipolar transistor <NUM>. The constant current source circuit may provide a relatively constant current to a photodiode in the isolating circuit <NUM> by using a resistor R5 and a relatively stable voltage (a BE knot voltage) between a base (also referred to as a B electrode) and an emitter (also referred to as an E electrode) of the bipolar transistor <NUM> and the bipolar transistor <NUM>.

In the schematic circuit diagram of the constant current source circuit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the devices in the constant current source circuit may be modified, or another device may be added to improve performance of the constant current source circuit.

Claim 1:
A digital signal input circuit, comprising an isolating circuit (<NUM>) and a voltage determining circuit (<NUM>), wherein
a first port of an input end of the isolating circuit (<NUM>) is connected to an input end of the digital signal input circuit and configured to receive a digital signal, an output end of the isolating circuit (<NUM>) is connected to an output end of the digital signal input circuit and configured to output a converted digital signal, and the isolating circuit (<NUM>) outputs a first level when being open, or the isolating circuit (<NUM>) outputs a second level when being closed; and
wherein the voltage determining circuit (<NUM>) comprises a voltage comparator (<NUM>), a first input end of the voltage comparator (<NUM>) is connected to the input end of the digital signal input circuit and configured to receive the digital signal, a second input end of the voltage comparator (<NUM>) is connected to a reference voltage source, and an output end of the voltage comparator (<NUM>) is connected to a switching device, wherein
the voltage comparator (<NUM>) is configured to control an on/off state of the switching device according to a high-low relationship between the level of the digital signal and a level of the reference voltage source, and the switching device is configured to control the isolating circuit (<NUM>) to be open or closed, so as to control the level of the digital signal that is outputted by the isolating circuit (<NUM>).