Dynamic Amplifier Timing Control for PVT-Stable Gain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dynamic amplifiers experience unstable gain due to variations in semiconductor process, supply voltage, and temperature (PVT), limiting their application.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic amplification circuit that controls voltage values and time periods based on a first and second voltage signal, with the duration of a second time period being inversely proportional to the transconductance of a transistor in a saturation region, stabilizing the gain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a dynamic amplifier is used to achieve low power consumption and no overshoot, then power efficiency is improved, but gain stability deteriorates due to PVT variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidgain stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the first drive circuit monitors the actual time period duration and adjusts the control signal to compensate for deviations from the expected duration, thereby maintaining stable gain despite PVT variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameter from fixed time period to variable time period based on transconductance variations, allowing the amplifier to adapt to PVT changes while maintaining stable gain performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional operational amplifier with feedback circuit is used, then gain stability is improved, but power consumption increases and overshoot occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegain stabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic element sizing where the width of the transistor is adjusted based on the desired time period duration, enabling the amplifier to dynamically adapt its characteristics to achieve both low power consumption and stable gain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If time period duration is fixed, then circuit simplicity is maintained, but gain becomes sensitive to transconductance variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit complexityVSAvoidgain stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary adjustment of the time period duration based on expected transconductance variations, allowing the circuit to pre-compensate for PVT changes before they affect the gain, thereby maintaining stability without adding complex feedback circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10476443B2Dynamic amplification circuit

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 SHENZHEN GOODIX TECH CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a dynamic amplification circuit, including: a first drive circuit, receives a first control signal to generate a first and a second voltage signal; a second drive circuit, receives the first and the second voltage signal to generate a first drive signal; a third drive circuit, receives the first control signal and the first drive signal to generate a second control signal; and a dynamic amplifier DA, controls a first and a second control switch according to the control signals; in a first time period, the first control signal is high level, the second control signal is low level; in a second time period, the opposite is the case; in a third time period, the first and the second control signal are both at low level, a duration of the second time period is inversely proportional to a transconductance of a transistor in a saturation region.