CMOS Current Multiplier with Adjustable Division Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current current multipliers in electronic systems, particularly in CMOS technology, face challenges in maintaining linearity and temperature compensation, leading to gain variations and increased manufacturing costs due to low yields, especially when input currents vary significantly.
Innovation Solution
A current multiplier design incorporating a compare circuit, current dividers, and a core current multiplier, which adjusts division ratios based on compare signals to maintain output current linearity and perform temperature compensation, implemented using CMOS circuit elements to accommodate varying input currents across a wide range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional current multipliers are used in CMOS technology, then manufacturing costs increase and yields decrease, but the patent achieves high yields and low costs through improved linearity and temperature compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the current multiplier by implementing adjustable division ratios in the current dividers and using compare circuits to detect and compensate for temperature variations and input current ranges. This allows the circuit to maintain optimal linearity across varying conditions, thereby improving manufacturing yield without increasing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs compare circuits that continuously monitor the input currents and generate control signals to adjust the division ratios of the current dividers. This feedback mechanism ensures that the output current maintains high linearity despite temperature changes or input variations, reducing the need for costly post-manufacturing adjustments and improving yield
2Manufacturing precision
If input currents vary significantly, then maintaining linearity becomes difficult, but the patent maintains high linearity through adjustable division ratios and temperature compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the division ratios of the current dividers dynamic rather than fixed. The compare circuits detect the range of input currents and automatically adjust the division ratios accordingly, allowing the system to maintain high linearity precision across a wide adaptability range of input current variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the division ratio parameters based on the detected input current range and temperature conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains manufacturing precision (linearity) while adapting to versatile input conditions
3Reliability
If temperature compensation is implemented, then circuit complexity increases, but the patent achieves temperature compensation through compare circuits and adjustable dividers
Solution Approach 1:
The compare circuits and current dividers in the patent serve multiple functions: they detect input current ranges, adjust division ratios for linearity, and provide temperature compensation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated temperature compensation circuits, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable temperature compensation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the temperature compensation function with the existing current division and control circuitry. The compare circuits that already adjust division ratios for linearity are also used to detect temperature-induced variations and trigger appropriate compensation, combining multiple functions into a unified circuit structure
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a current multiplier that can generate an output current with high linearity and/or high temperature compensation. Such current multipliers can be implemented by complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit elements. In one embodiment, the current multiplier can include a current divider and a core current multiplier. The current divider can generate a divided current by dividing an input current by an adjustable division ratio. The division ratio can be adjusted, for example, based on a comparison of the input current with a reference current. The core current multiplier can generate the output current based on multiplying the divided current and a different current. According to certain embodiments, the output current can be maintained within a predetermined range as the input current to the current divider varies within a relatively wide range.