Ring Oscillator Bias Current Decoupling for Low-Power Frequency Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ring oscillator circuits face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining a desired oscillation frequency due to the interdependence of bias currents and oscillation frequency, making it difficult to achieve both low power consumption and accurate frequency output.
Innovation Solution
The oscillator circuit employs a charging/discharging control circuit to manage capacitor charging and discharging based on inverter output, allowing for independent control of bias currents, particularly the third bias current, to adjust oscillation frequency without affecting the first and second bias currents, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining a desired oscillation frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bias currents are increased to maintain oscillation frequency, then oscillation frequency stability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bias current control into two independent parts: first and second bias currents (I1, I2) that are minimized for low power consumption, and a third bias current (I3) that is independently controlled to maintain oscillation frequency stability. This segmentation allows each current to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter control strategy by making the third bias current (I3) independently adjustable while keeping first and second bias currents at minimal levels. This parameter change enables frequency stability to be maintained through I3 adjustment without requiring high values of I1 and I2, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If bias currents are decreased to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but oscillation frequency stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bias current system into three separate controllable currents (I1, I2, I3), allowing I1 and I2 to be minimized for low power while I3 is specifically optimized for frequency stability. This segmentation breaks the traditional coupling where all bias currents must be high to maintain stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The third bias current (I3) acts as an intermediary that specifically targets the oscillation frequency stability function. By introducing this intermediate control element, the system can maintain frequency stability without requiring high values of the primary bias currents I1 and I2, thus achieving low power consumption.
3Device complexity
If multiple bias currents are coupled together, then circuit simplicity is maintained, but independent frequency control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bias current control into three independent controllable paths (I1, I2, I3), each with its own control mechanism. This segmentation provides independent frequency control capability while maintaining relative circuit simplicity through the use of standard current mirror and capacitor structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control capability by making the third bias current (I3) independently adjustable. This dynamic element allows the oscillation frequency to be controlled and tuned without changing the basic circuit structure, maintaining simplicity while adding adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an oscillator circuit. The oscillator circuit includes: a plurality of multi-stage inverters, connected in a ring shape to form a loop path; a capacitor, connected in series on the loop path; a charging/discharging control circuit, configured to charge/discharge the capacitor by pulse-driving a voltage level at a first end of the capacitor according to an output of any one of the multi-stage inverters; and a bias current generating circuit, configured to supply bias currents to each of the multi-stage inverters and the charging/discharging control circuit.