Open-Loop ADC Amplifier Calibration for Low-Power Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing high-speed analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with low power consumption and accurate amplification is challenging due to the power-hungry nature of traditional amplifiers and auxiliary circuits, which contribute significantly to the overall power consumption and design complexity in pipelined ADCs.
Innovation Solution
The use of digitally assisted open-loop amplifiers in MDAC and sampling circuit structures, which rely on digital calibration techniques to improve performance, reduces power consumption and design complexity by eliminating feedback paths and using calibration dither to correct non-linearities, thereby minimizing analog power and area requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional amplifiers and auxiliary circuits are used in pipelined ADCs, then amplification accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional analog feedback amplifiers with digitally assisted open-loop amplifiers. The digital calibration system substitutes for the mechanical/analog feedback mechanism, using digital signal processing to correct amplification errors rather than relying on complex analog feedback circuits. This substitution dramatically reduces power consumption while maintaining amplification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the feedback paths from the amplifier design, transitioning to an open-loop configuration. By taking out the feedback mechanism and replacing it with digital calibration techniques, the system eliminates the power-hungry feedback circuits while preserving amplification precision through digital correction of non-linearities.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional feedback amplifiers are used, then amplification linearity is maintained, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex analog feedback control mechanisms with digital calibration algorithms. The digital system processes calibration data and applies corrections to maintain amplification linearity, replacing the need for complex analog feedback circuitry and reducing overall design complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces digital calibration circuits as an intermediary between the simple open-loop amplifier and the final output. This intermediary digital system handles the complexity of linearity correction, allowing the main amplifier to remain simple while achieving high linearity through the calibration mediation layer.
3Use of energy by moving object
If open-loop amplifiers with digital calibration are used, then power consumption is reduced, but analog circuit area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the calibration and correction functions from the analog domain to the digital domain. By implementing calibration in the digital dimension rather than using larger analog circuits, the system reduces analog circuit area while maintaining the power-saving benefits of open-loop operation with digital assistance.
Data Source
AI summary
Amplifiers can be found in pipelined ADCs and pipelined-SAR ADCs as inter-stage amplifiers. The amplifiers can in some cases implement and provide gains in high speed track and hold circuits. The amplifier structures can be open-loop amplifiers, and the amplifier structures can be used in MDACs and samplers of high speed ADCs. The amplifiers can be employed without resetting, and with incomplete settling, to maximize their speed and minimize their power consumption. The amplifiers can be calibrated to improve performance.