Shared-Amplifier ADC Architecture for Low-Power High-Resolution Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analog-to-digital converters face challenges in achieving low power consumption and small chip area while maintaining high resolution and speed for applications like digital television and digital cameras.
Innovation Solution
The proposed analog-to-digital converter incorporates an analog amplification unit with shared amplifiers for input terminal circuits and a flash conversion unit, utilizing a selection unit, input units, and amplification circuits to efficiently process signals, thereby reducing power consumption and chip area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple separate amplifiers are used for each input terminal circuit, then signal amplification quality is improved, but chip area and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple amplifier circuits into a single shared amplifier that is time-multiplexed across different input terminal circuits. The amplifier alternates between serving different input terminals in different time periods, effectively merging multiple separate amplifiers into one unified resource, thereby reducing chip area while maintaining signal amplification quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic time-multiplexing where the shared amplifier dynamically switches between different input terminal circuits based on timing signals. This dynamic allocation allows the same amplifier to serve multiple functions at different times, optimizing resource utilization and reducing the overall circuit area required.
2Measurement precision
If multiple separate amplifiers are used for each input terminal circuit, then signal amplification quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate amplifiers into a single shared amplifier that serves multiple input terminal circuits through time-multiplexing. This consolidation reduces the total number of active amplifier circuits simultaneously, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the necessary signal amplification quality through sequential operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic time-multiplexing mechanism allows the shared amplifier to operate at full capacity for each input terminal when needed, rather than having multiple amplifiers operating at partial capacity simultaneously. This dynamic resource allocation optimizes power efficiency by ensuring the amplifier is fully utilized during its active periods.
3Area of stationary object
If a shared amplifier is used for multiple input terminal circuits, then chip area and power consumption are reduced, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages circuit complexity through systematic dynamic time-multiplexing control. While the shared amplifier reduces physical circuit area, the complexity is managed through well-defined timing signals and control logic that coordinate the amplifier's switching between different input terminals, making the complexity controllable and systematic rather than chaotic.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared amplifier is designed as a universal component capable of serving multiple input terminal circuits through time-multiplexing. This multi-functionality is achieved through standardized control interfaces and timing mechanisms that allow the same amplifier circuit to be systematically applied to different input terminals, reducing overall system complexity compared to having dedicated amplifiers for each terminal.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If a shared amplifier is used for multiple input terminal circuits, then power consumption is reduced, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple amplifier functions into a single shared amplifier with time-multiplexed operation. This merging reduces power consumption by eliminating redundant amplifier circuits, while the added complexity is offset by the systematic control mechanisms that manage the shared resource efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic time-multiplexing control system manages the complexity introduced by the shared amplifier configuration. Through coordinated timing signals and control logic, the system dynamically allocates the shared amplifier to different input terminals, making the complexity manageable and systematic while achieving power savings.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment of the present invention, provided is an analog to digital converter. The analog-to-digital converter according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an analog amplification unit and a flash conversion unit, wherein the analog amplification unit may have a structure in which in which two input terminal circuits that alternately operate share a single amplifier. Accordingly, the analog-to-digital converter according to one embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in a smaller area and operate at low power, and can have a high resolution while operating at a high speed.