OP-Sharing Amplifier Reset Circuit for Memory Effect Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Amplifiers using the OP-sharing technique often experience undesirable memory effects due to residual electric potential at output terminals, requiring higher driving currents and increased power consumption when switching between application circuits, which enlarges the system layout area.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reset circuit that actively resets the amplifier during a third working period between the first and second working periods, eliminating residual electric potential and minimizing memory effects without the need for increased current.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single amplifier is shared by multiple application circuits, then resource utilization is improved, but residual electric potential causes memory effects requiring larger driving current

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamplifier sharing capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reset circuit performs preliminary action by clearing residual electric potential from the amplifier output terminals during idle periods before the next application circuit uses the amplifier. This prevents memory effects from carrying over between applications, eliminating the need for larger driving currents when switching between circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reset circuit acts as an intermediary between application circuits when sharing the amplifier. It intervenes during idle periods to clear residual potentials, mediating the transition between different applications and preventing harmful memory effects without requiring increased current from the application circuits themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If larger driving current is used to clear residual electric potential, then memory effects are reduced, but power loading and layout area increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory effect eliminationVSAvoidlayout area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using large current during active periods, the reset circuit performs preliminary clearing of residual potentials during idle periods. This approach achieves reliable memory effect elimination without requiring high current, thereby avoiding increased power loading and layout area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reset circuit operates periodically during idle periods between application circuits rather than continuously or during active periods. This periodic action efficiently clears residual potentials without requiring increased current during active operation, maintaining compact layout area while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If reset circuit is added to clear residual potential, then memory effects are minimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory effect reductionVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reset circuit serves as a simple intermediary component that mediates between application circuits sharing the amplifier. It provides a straightforward mechanism to clear residual potentials without requiring complex control logic or additional active components, achieving reliable memory effect reduction with minimal increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7576602B2Circuit utilizing op-sharing technique and related method thereof

Publication Date: 2009.08.18 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

The present invention provides a circuit that utilizes OP-sharing technique. The circuit includes an amplifier, a first application circuit, a second application circuit, and a reset circuit. The first application circuit drives the amplifier during at least a first working period. The second application circuit drives the amplifier during at least a second working period. The reset circuit resets the amplifier during at least a third working period. The third working period is between the first working period and the second working period.