Dual-Amplifier Switching Circuit for Fast Charging With Lower Thermal Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional amplifiers used in electrical systems face challenges in charging switched capacitors efficiently, as high-speed operation amplifies thermal noise, and noise reduction methods increase circuit size and calculation time.

Innovation Solution

An amplifier integrated circuit with two amplifiers, one set to a low gain bandwidth product for high-speed operation and the other for low-speed operation, utilizing a switching circuit to selectively activate each amplifier based on a control signal, allowing for efficient charging with reduced thermal noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the amplifier operates at high speed to meet the fixed short charging time, then the charging speed is improved, but the thermal noise is amplified raising the noise level of the amplifier circuit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidthermal noise
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the amplifier's gain bandwidth product adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically switches between high-speed mode (first gain bandwidth product) and low-speed mode (second gain bandwidth product) based on the charging requirements. This allows the amplifier to operate at high speed when needed while reducing noise when high speed is not required, resolving the contradiction between speed and noise amplification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the amplifier by providing two different gain bandwidth products. The first gain bandwidth product enables high-speed operation for quick charging, while the second gain bandwidth product reduces thermal noise amplification. The control circuit switches between these parameter settings based on the charging phase, allowing the system to optimize both speed and noise performance at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If noise reduction methods are applied at the amplifier output, then the noise level is reduced, but the circuit size increases and the calculation period increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelVSAvoidcircuit size
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the noise reduction function from a separate post-processing circuit and integrates it into the amplifier's core operation. Instead of adding an external noise reduction circuit at the output (which would increase circuit size), the system uses the switching circuit to select between different amplifier configurations, one of which inherently provides noise reduction. This approach reduces noise without requiring additional external components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The switching circuit acts as an intermediary that selects between different amplifier operating modes. Rather than directly processing the amplified signal through complex noise reduction circuits, the switching circuit mediates by routing the signal through appropriate amplifier configurations that inherently provide noise reduction, thereby avoiding the need for additional complex noise reduction hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10985718B2Methods and apparatus for an amplifier integrated circuit
Publication Date: 2021.04.20 SEMICON COMPONENTS IND LLC
  • US10985718B2 patent drawing
  • US10985718B2 patent drawing
  • US10985718B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for an amplifier integrated circuit. The amplifier integrated circuit may provide two amplifiers, one amplifier set to a low gain bandwidth product to amplify at a higher speed and the other amplifier set to a high gain bandwidth product to amplify at a lower speed. The amplifier integrated circuit may further provide a switching circuit connected to the amplifiers, wherein the switching circuit is responsive to a control signal and operates to selectively activate the high speed amplifier and the low speed amplifier in sequence.