Analog Computing Circuit Offset Compensation With Sample-and-Hold

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computing architectures, particularly analog and analog-digital hybrid systems, suffer from offset errors in operational amplifiers that lead to computational inaccuracies due to temperature dependence and aging-related drift, which current calibration methods fail to fully address.

Innovation Solution

A computing circuit with a detection and compensation circuit, including a temporary analog storage circuit and feedback loop, is designed to detect and compensate for offset computational voltages, ensuring accurate calculations by maintaining a compensation value during operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional calibration methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to offset errors from temperature dependence and aging-related drift

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational accuracyVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration operations before actual computational tasks. The detection and compensation circuit pre-determines offset calculation voltages and stores them in temporary analog storage circuits, so that when computation begins, the offset errors have already been accounted for, ensuring high measurement precision without adding complex real-time correction mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection and compensation circuit that acts as a mediator between the operational amplifiers and the computational circuits. This intermediary circuit detects offset voltages, converts them to compensation values, and injects compensating currents, thereby isolating the main computational circuits from offset errors while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If offset compensation is continuously performed, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous calibration operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by performing offset calibration at specific intervals or before computational tasks rather than continuously. The detection and compensation circuit activates periodically to update compensation values in temporary storage circuits, maintaining computational reliability while avoiding constant energy consumption associated with continuous calibration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service by designing the detection and compensation circuit to automatically detect offset voltages and generate compensation currents without external intervention. The circuit self-calibrates by detecting its own offset errors and correcting them, ensuring computational reliability while minimizing energy usage through automated operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If detection and compensation circuits are added, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional circuit components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoffset voltage compensation precisionVSAvoidcircuit architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating the detection and compensation functions into a unified circuit module that works closely with the operational amplifiers. The detection circuit, compensation circuit, and temporary storage circuits are combined into a cohesive offset compensation system that can be implemented as a modular add-on, improving manufacturing precision while limiting complexity growth through functional integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by implementing offset compensation specifically at critical points in the circuit where offset errors have the greatest impact on computational accuracy. Rather than uniformly complicating the entire circuit architecture, the detection and compensation circuits are strategically placed at operational amplifier inputs and output stages, improving precision locally without unnecessarily increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution effectively reduces computational errors by continuously compensating for offset voltages, enhancing accuracy and stability in analog and hybrid computing systems, especially in applications requiring high precision.

Implementation Method 1

A computing circuit with a detection and compensation circuit, including a temporary analog storage circuit and feedback loop, is designed to detect and compensate for offset computational voltages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback: Feedback

Implementation Method 2

A computing circuit with a detection and compensation circuit, including a temporary analog storage circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP4685689A1Computing circuit and method
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FÜR LUFT UND RAUMFAHRT E V
  • EP4685689A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4685689A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4685689A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Computing circuit (1), in particular an analog computing device (20), further in particular an analog-digital hybrid computing device (30), comprising an analog computing circuit (50), designed and configured to perform an analog arithmetic operation; and comprising a detection and compensation circuit (I) and a temporary analog storage circuit (Sample and Hold Circuit, SH), designed and configured to detect an offset computing voltage (V1a) in the analog computing circuit and to perform a calibration with respect to the offset computing voltage (V1a).