Comparator Oscillator Current Switching for Frequency Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Oscillator circuits with comparators face a trade-off between frequency accuracy and current consumption, as higher supply current improves accuracy but increases power usage, which is undesirable for energy-efficient applications like mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
The oscillator circuit dynamically adjusts the supply current to the comparator, providing a lower current during non-critical sections and a higher current during critical sections, such as around comparator changes, to maintain high accuracy while minimizing overall current consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a higher supply current is provided to the comparator, then the frequency accuracy is improved, but the current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the supply current to the comparator time-variable rather than constant. The current is dynamically adjusted based on the oscillator phase: a higher current is supplied during critical sections (around comparator changeover) to ensure high frequency accuracy, while a lower current is supplied during non-critical sections to reduce overall current consumption. This dynamic current adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining high accuracy and minimizing power usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by cycling the comparator supply current between high and low levels in synchronization with the oscillator period. The current is periodically increased during critical measurement phases (when frequency accuracy is most important) and periodically reduced during non-critical phases. This periodic modulation of current allows the system to achieve high accuracy when needed while maintaining low average current consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a lower supply current is provided to the comparator, then the current consumption is reduced, but the frequency accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the supply current to the comparator time-variable rather than constant. The current is dynamically adjusted based on the oscillator phase: a higher current is supplied during critical sections (around comparator changeover) to ensure high frequency accuracy, while a lower current is supplied during non-critical sections to reduce overall current consumption. This dynamic current adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining high accuracy and minimizing power usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by cycling the comparator supply current between high and low levels in synchronization with the oscillator period. The current is periodically increased during critical measurement phases (when frequency accuracy is most important) and periodically reduced during non-critical phases. This periodic modulation of current allows the system to achieve high accuracy when needed while maintaining low average current consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An oscillator circuit with a comparator is provided, wherein the comparator has a supply input. A supply circuit supplies the comparator with a first current during a first section of an oscillator period of the oscillator circuit and with a second current greater than the first current during a second, different section of the oscillator period.