ADC-Powered DSP Circuit to Cut PMIC Loss and Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated circuits face challenges in efficiently supplying power to both analog and digital circuits due to power loss and increased area requirements in power management integrated circuits (PMICs) used for voltage conversion.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit design that includes a digital signal processor (DSP) and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) where the ADC generates a power source by charging a capacitor during signal conversion and supplies power to the DSP, reducing the need for an external power source and minimizing power loss through multi-level switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) is used to supply different power sizes to analog and digital circuits, then power supply capability is improved, but power loss due to voltage conversion increases and device area increases due to external inductors and capacitors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power management function into the ADC by using the ADC's internal capacitor bank to generate power for the DSP. Instead of requiring a separate PMIC, the ADC's switching capacitor structure is utilized to charge a power capacitor that supplies power to the digital signal processor, thereby eliminating the need for external power management components and reducing both power loss and device area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the ADC multi-functional by enabling it to not only perform analog-to-digital conversion but also to generate power for the DSP. The same capacitor bank used for ADC operation is repurposed to charge the power capacitor, allowing the ADC to serve dual purposes: signal conversion and power management, thereby eliminating the need for separate power management components.
2Power
If a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) is used to supply different power sizes to analog and digital circuits, then power supply capability is improved, but device area increases due to external inductors and capacitors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power management function into the ADC by using the ADC's internal capacitor bank to generate power for the DSP. Instead of requiring a separate PMIC, the ADC's switching capacitor structure is utilized to charge a power capacitor that supplies power to the digital signal processor, thereby eliminating the need for external power management components and reducing both power loss and device area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power management function from the traditional PMIC architecture and integrates it directly into the ADC structure. By removing the need for external inductors and capacitors associated with PMICs and using only the ADC's internal capacitor bank, the design significantly reduces the external component count and overall device area while maintaining power supply capability.
3Measurement precision
If an analog circuit operates with high supply power to increase signal to noise ratio, then signal quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the ADC generate its own power supply for the DSP using its internal capacitor bank during the conversion process. The ADC autonomously manages power generation without requiring external power management circuits, allowing the system to maintain high signal quality in the ADC while the DSP operates efficiently on the generated power, thereby balancing signal quality and power consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces power consumption and heat generation, enabling the use of the integrated circuit in micro devices without the need for a PMIC, while also minimizing area occupation and power loss.
Implementation Method 1
generate a power source during a process of converting the analog signal into the digital signal, wherein the ADC generates the power source by charging a power source capacitor during the process of converting the analog signal into the digital signal
Implementation Method 2
perform multi-level switching of the at least one capacitor for switching the voltage from the first reference voltage to the second reference voltage through the power source capacitor, and generate the power source by charging a voltage to a power source capacitor through the multi-level switching
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an integrated circuit including an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert an analog signal to a digital signal; and a digital signal processor (DSP) configured to process the digital signal, wherein the ADC generates a power source during a process for converting the analog signal into the digital signal and supplies power to the DSP through the power source.