Comparison Unit Current Control for Low-Power High-Speed A/D Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic circuits on semiconductor substrates, reducing power consumption to maintain high-speed A/D conversion performance is challenging, as lowering the electric current supply slows down the comparison unit's response, degrading conversion performance.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing apparatus with a control unit that manages electric current at the differential stage of a comparison unit, reducing current during periods other than the comparison period by using pairs of electric current source units and switches in parallel, and adjusting gate potentials to minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If lower electric current is supplied to the comparison unit to suppress power consumption increase, then power consumption is reduced, but the response speed of the comparison unit slows down, causing degradation of A/D conversion performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the electric current supply to the comparison unit variable rather than constant. The control unit dynamically adjusts the current amount based on the operational phase: providing higher current during comparison periods to maintain fast response speed, and lower current during other periods to reduce power consumption. This temporal variation in current supply resolves the contradiction between power consumption and response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by dividing the operation into distinct phases (comparison periods and non-comparison periods) and applying different current levels to each. The control unit periodically switches between high-current mode during comparison operations and low-current mode during other operations, achieving both fast conversion when needed and low power consumption overall.
2Speed
If higher electric current is supplied to maintain high-speed A/D conversion performance, then response speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the electric current amount based on real-time operational requirements. During comparison periods when high speed is needed, the current is increased; during other periods, the current is decreased. This dynamic adjustment maintains performance when needed while minimizing power consumption overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter (current amount) supplied to the comparison unit based on operational phase. The control unit modifies the current parameter from a constant high value to a variable value that is high during comparison periods and low during other periods, achieving both performance and power efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to a signal processing apparatus, a control method, an image pickup element, and an electronic appliance that achieve the suppression of an increase in electric power consumption. The signal processing apparatus may be configured to control an amount of electric current at a differential stage in a comparison unit that compares signal levels of a plurality of signals and reduce the amount of electric current for a period other than this comparison period. For example, the amount of electric current may be reduced by turning off part of a group of switches each capable of disconnecting a path of an electric current from an electric current source In addition, for example, the amount of electric current may be reduced by causing a gate potential at the electric current source unit to decrease. The present technology can be applied to, for example, an image pickup element and an electronic appliance.