Differential Voltage-to-Current Circuit With Controlled Input Impedance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing differential voltage-to-current conversion circuitry is inefficient and lacks optimal gain in some applications, limiting the resolution of ADC circuitry and signal power conversion.

Innovation Solution

The proposed circuitry employs highly controlled input impedance and adjustable gain through measurement impedances and bias voltage control, ensuring direct signal current feedthrough and efficient signal power conversion, using PMOS transistors in a common gate configuration to achieve highly linear voltage-to-current conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If existing differential voltage-to-current conversion circuitry is used, then the conversion function is provided, but the conversion efficiency is insufficient and gain is not optimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal power conversion efficiencyVSAvoidconversion linearity and precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the conversion circuit by using PMOS transistors in common gate configuration with specifically controlled input impedance. The bias voltage control and measurement impedances adjust key electrical parameters to achieve both high conversion efficiency and optimal gain, resolving the contradiction between energy loss and conversion reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If existing conversion circuitry is used, then basic voltage-to-current conversion is achieved, but the resolution of ADC circuitry is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveADC resolutionVSAvoidsignal power conversion
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes electrical parameters including input impedance control and bias voltage settings to enhance ADC resolution while maintaining efficient power conversion. The measurement impedances and common gate configuration are specifically designed to improve measurement precision without sacrificing power conversion capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If existing conversion circuitry is used, then conversion function is provided, but gain control is not optimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegain and power conversionVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves optimal gain control through parameter adjustments in the common gate configuration, utilizing bias voltage control and measurement impedances to fine-tune the conversion characteristics. This approach provides optimal gain without significantly increasing circuit complexity, as it leverages the inherent properties of the PMOS transistor configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3514953B1Voltage-to-current conversion
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 SOCIONEXT INC
  • EP3514953B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3514953B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3514953B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to circuitry for voltage-to-current conversion, and in particular to differential voltage-to-current conversion circuitry. Such circuitry is operable to receive a differential voltage input signal and output a corresponding differential current signal.