Configurable Comparator Circuit for Bandwidth-Power Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated test systems for electronic devices are often large, power-consuming, and costly, failing to provide high fidelity performance across both low power and high speed test modes efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A multiple-mode comparator system with a gain stage that maintains constant gain characteristics across different power and speed modes, incorporating an adjustable impedance device to influence bandwidth and an output stage with a buffer circuit that adapts to operating modes for reduced power consumption in low bandwidth applications and increased speed in high bandwidth applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional automated test system is used, then high fidelity performance can be achieved, but the system becomes large, power-consuming, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The comparator circuit dynamically switches between two operating modes (high-speed mode and low-power mode) based on testing requirements. In high-speed mode, the first comparator operates with full bandwidth for high fidelity measurements. In low-power mode, the second comparator handles lower bandwidth operations with reduced power consumption, thus achieving high fidelity performance only when needed while minimizing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between two comparators with different characteristics. The first comparator is optimized for high-speed operation with higher power consumption, while the second comparator is optimized for low-power operation with lower bandwidth. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high fidelity performance when required while reducing power consumption during normal operations.
2Measurement precision
If a traditional automated test system is used, then high fidelity performance can be achieved, but the system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two comparators with different operational characteristics into a single integrated comparator circuit. This consolidation allows the system to achieve high fidelity performance when needed (using the first comparator) while maintaining a compact form factor, rather than requiring separate dedicated high-fidelity testing equipment that would increase system size.
Solution Approach 2:
The comparator circuit is designed with multi-functionality to handle both high-speed high-fidelity testing and low-power normal testing within a single unit. The first comparator provides high fidelity performance when needed, while the second comparator handles routine operations, making the system universally applicable to different testing scenarios without increasing overall system size.
3Measurement precision
If a traditional automated test system is used, then high fidelity performance can be achieved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two comparators with different operational characteristics into a single integrated circuit, reducing the need for multiple separate testing devices. This merger lowers manufacturing costs and system complexity while maintaining the capability to achieve high fidelity performance when required, making the system more cost-effective than traditional approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The comparator circuit is designed with multi-functionality to handle both high-speed high-fidelity testing and low-power normal testing within a single unit. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices, reducing overall system cost while maintaining high fidelity performance capability when needed.
4Speed
If the comparator operates in high speed mode, then bandwidth increases, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The comparator circuit dynamically switches between two operating modes based on bandwidth requirements. When high bandwidth is needed, the first comparator operates at full power to deliver high-speed performance. When lower bandwidth suffices, the system switches to the second comparator that operates at reduced power consumption, thus achieving high speed when needed while minimizing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between two comparators with different power-bandwidth characteristics. The first comparator provides high bandwidth with higher power consumption, while the second comparator provides lower bandwidth with lower power consumption. This parameter change allows the system to optimize the power-bandwidth tradeoff based on actual testing requirements.
5Use of energy by moving object
If the comparator operates in low power mode, then power consumption decreases, but speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The comparator circuit dynamically switches between two operating modes based on performance requirements. When low power consumption is the priority and bandwidth requirements are modest, the system operates the second comparator at reduced power. When high bandwidth performance is needed, the system switches to the first comparator, thus achieving low power consumption when sufficient while maintaining the option for high speed when required.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple operating-mode comparator system can be useful for high bandwidth and low power automated testing. The system can include a gain stage configured to drive a high impedance input of a comparator output stage, wherein the gain stage includes a differential switching stage coupled to an adjustable impedance circuit, and an impedance magnitude characteristic of the adjustable impedance circuit corresponds to a bandwidth characteristic of the gain stage. The comparator output stage can include a buffer circuit coupled to a low impedance comparator output node. The buffer circuit can provide a reference voltage for a switched output signal at the output node in a higher speed mode, and the buffer circuit can provide the switched output signal at the output node in a lower power mode.