Amplifier Output Range Control for CMOS Sensor Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-stage amplification devices face issues with increased power consumption and noise due to wide output voltage variations, which can adversely affect CMOS image sensors by causing coupling and power noise that deteriorate data conversion and increase heat radiation.

Innovation Solution

An amplifier with a differential amplification block, an output block, and an output range control block using maximum and minimum clamping signals to restrict the output range, preventing voltage from exceeding ground or power supply limits, thereby controlling the output voltage and reducing noise and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the output voltage range of the amplifier is allowed to vary widely, then the amplifier can maintain high gain performance, but power consumption and noise increase due to large current induced during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovegainVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage range parameters by introducing maximum clamping voltage and minimum clamping voltage to restrict the output voltage to a specific range, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining gain performance within controlled limits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the output voltage range of the amplifier is allowed to vary widely, then the amplifier can maintain high gain performance, but noise increases due to large current induced during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovegainVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage range parameters by introducing maximum clamping voltage and minimum clamping voltage to restrict the output voltage to a specific range, thereby reducing noise while maintaining gain performance within controlled limits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the output voltage of the amplifier exceeds the power supply voltage or ground voltage, then the amplifier can provide larger signal swing, but clamping occurs at the ground voltage or power supply voltage causing distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal swing rangeVSAvoidoutput voltage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-setting the maximum clamping voltage and minimum clamping voltage to define the output voltage range before the amplifier operates, preventing the output voltage from exceeding these limits and causing distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10291186B2Amplifier for contorlling output range and multi-stage amplification device using the same

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

An amplifier includes a differential amplification block suitable for receiving and amplifying a first differential input signal and a second differential input signal; an output block suitable for determining an output signal according to a state of amplified signals outputted from the differential amplification block; and an output range restriction block suitable for controlling an output range of the output signal outputted from the output block based on a maximum clamping signal and a minimum clamping signal.