Inductor-Free Oscillating Circuit for Stable Low-Power Sensor Clocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oscillating circuits based on capacitors and inductors have high power consumption, unstable output frequency, and are not conducive to miniaturization and integration, making them unsuitable for miniature sensing systems that require low power consumption and stable, adjustable clock signals.
Innovation Solution
An oscillating circuit utilizing a capacitor charging and discharging circuit with negative and positive current mirrors, a voltage comparison circuit, and a threshold voltage generation circuit to achieve oscillation through hysteresis effects without inductors, allowing for low power consumption and adjustable frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional oscillating circuits based on capacitors and inductors are used, then oscillation function is achieved, but power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the inductor component from the conventional oscillator circuit, replacing it with a fully integrated CMOS implementation using only transistors and capacitors. This extraction of the problematic inductor component directly reduces power consumption while maintaining oscillation functionality through an alternative mechanism based on transistor switching and capacitive charging/d discharging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/physical inductor-based oscillation mechanism with an electronic field-based mechanism using MOS transistors and capacitors. The oscillation is generated through the interaction of transistor switching characteristics and capacitive charge/discharge cycles, replacing the traditional electromagnetic induction principle with solid-state electronic field effects.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional oscillating circuits based on capacitors and inductors are used, then oscillation function is achieved, but device area is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the inductor component which occupies significant chip area, replacing it with a compact CMOS circuit implementation. The oscillation function is achieved through transistor switching and capacitive effects that require minimal area compared to physical inductors, enabling compact integration in portable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the oscillation circuit is fully integrated within the sensor signal processing circuit. The oscillator is embedded inside the processing circuit block, sharing common substrates and interconnect structures, which minimizes the overall device area while maintaining functional independence.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional oscillating circuits based on capacitors and inductors are used, then oscillation function is achieved, but integration with sensor circuits is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oscillation circuit and sensor signal processing circuit into a single integrated block. Both circuits share common CMOS transistor technology, power supply networks, and substrate structures. This merging eliminates the need for separate inductor components and external connections, enabling monolithic integration that simplifies manufacturing while maintaining stable oscillation through matched transistor characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the oscillator circuit to serve multiple functions: it provides stable clock signals for the sensor processing circuit, generates timing references for signal conversion operations, and can be adjusted to different frequencies for different sensor types. This multi-functionality is achieved through universal CMOS transistor switching mechanisms that can be configured for various oscillation frequencies.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a low-power, stable, and adjustable oscillation signal, facilitating the miniaturization and integration of sensor systems by eliminating the need for external clock signals and enabling integration with sensor signal processing circuits.
Implementation Method 1
the capacitor charging and discharging circuit unit includes a variable current source, negative current mirrors, positive current mirrors, a first switching transistor, a second switching transistor, and a capacitor, where the variable current source provides a variable current, the capacitor is grounded at one end and connected to a first node at the other end; the negative current mirrors and the first switching transistor mirror the variable current to the first node to charge the capacitor; the positive current mirrors and the second switching transistor mirror the variable current to the first node to discharge the capacitor
Implementation Method 2
The voltage comparison circuit unit compares and amplifies a voltage difference between a third node and the first node and converts it into a single-ended signal
Implementation Method 3
the single-ended signal is connected to the threshold voltage generating circuit unit, and regulates and controls an output voltage at an output of the threshold voltage generating circuit unit, the output of the threshold voltage generating circuit unit being connected to the third node
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an oscillating circuit and an electronic device; the oscillating circuit includes a capacitor charging and discharging circuit unit, a voltage comparison circuit unit and a threshold voltage generation circuit unit; the oscillating circuit uses the capacitor charging and discharging and the hysteresis effect of the capacitor charging and discharging circuit unit to achieve oscillation based on the negative feedback regulation constituted by the voltage comparison circuit unit and the threshold voltage generation circuit unit, which is different from the traditional oscillating circuit based on capacitance and inductance; the oscillating circuit does not adopts inductors, has relatively low power consumption, and outputs oscillation signals with frequencies that vary with currents, and when the oscillating circuit is used to provide clock signals for the sensor, it can be integrated with a sensor signal processing circuit to realize the miniaturization and integration of the sensor system.