Capacitor-Based Quantizer Layout for Low-Current Delta-Sigma ADCs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional quantizers used in delta-sigma modulators occupy a large area, have high complexity, and consume significant static current, making them inefficient for applications requiring reduced size and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A quantizer design utilizing a quantizer capacitor, input calculator, scaler, and latch, which combines input voltages and generates scale voltages using capacitors to minimize area and power consumption, while maintaining efficient digital signal conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an active element such as an amplifier is used in a typical quantizer, then the quantizer can perform analog-to-digital conversion, but it occupies a large area and consumes significant static current

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion functionVSAvoidquantizer area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the active amplifier element from the quantizer structure, replacing it with a passive capacitor-based implementation. This extraction eliminates the need for high static current consumption and large area occupation while maintaining the essential analog-to-digital conversion function through capacitive voltage division and comparison mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the electronic amplifier-based system with a capacitor-based system. By replacing active electronic components with passive capacitive elements, the design achieves the same conversion function without the drawbacks of area occupation and static current consumption associated with traditional amplifier implementations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If an active element such as an amplifier is used in a typical quantizer, then the quantizer can perform analog-to-digital conversion, but it has high complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion functionVSAvoidquantizer complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex active amplifier circuitry and replaces it with simple passive capacitive elements and switch-based control logic. This extraction significantly reduces device complexity while preserving the core conversion functionality through capacitive voltage division and digital comparison

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the complex electronic amplifier system with a simpler capacitor-based system controlled by digital logic. This substitution reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for precision analog components and complex biasing circuits while maintaining conversion accuracy through digital control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If an active element such as an amplifier is used in a typical quantizer, then the quantizer can perform analog-to-digital conversion, but it consumes significant static current

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion functionVSAvoidstatic current consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the power-hungry amplifier component, replacing it with passive capacitive elements that consume no static current. The conversion function is maintained through capacitive voltage storage and comparison, eliminating continuous power consumption while preserving conversion accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the high-power amplifier-based system with a low-power capacitor-based system. By using capacitive voltage division and digital comparison instead of active amplification, the design achieves the same conversion function with dramatically reduced static current consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 proposed quantizer achieves reduced area, complexity, and static current consumption, enabling more efficient digital signal conversion and power management in delta-sigma modulators.

Implementation Method 1

a quantizer capacitor having a first end and a second end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10411726B2Quantizer including capacitors and operating method of quantizer

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A quantizer includes: a quantizer capacitor having a first end and a second end; an input calculator that receives input voltages, sums the input voltages, and outputs the summed result to the first end of the quantizer capacitor; a scaler that receives reference voltages and a scale code, generates a scale voltage from the reference voltages depending on the scale code, and outputs the scale voltage to the second end of the quantizer capacitor; and a latch that stores an output voltage of the first end of the quantizer capacitor.