Shared Pre-Amplifier Signal Circuit for Multi-Input Gain Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional signal processing circuits require multiple pre-amplifiers for each input signal, leading to increased circuit complexity and area, which is detrimental to area reduction and manufacturing costs as the number of input signals increases.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing circuit comprising a signal selection module, a voltage offset module, and an amplifier module that selectively couples input signals to an amplifier for offsetting, amplifying, and buffering, using capacitors for gain control, thereby simplifying the circuit structure and reducing area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pre-amplifiers are used for each input signal to perform offset and gain control, then signal processing capability is improved, but circuit complexity and circuit area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single pre-amplifier that serves multiple input signals through time-multiplexed operation. The pre-amplifier is shared among N input signals by sequentially selecting and amplifying each signal, thereby reducing the total number of pre-amplifiers from N to 1 while maintaining the ability to process all input signals with offset and gain control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic signal selection and time-multiplexed switching to enable a single pre-amplifier to handle multiple input signals. The switching mechanism dynamically connects different input signals to the pre-amplifier at different time intervals, allowing the system to adaptively process multiple signals using shared hardware resources
2Reliability
If multiple pre-amplifiers are used for each input signal, then offset and gain control is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single pre-amplifier that serves multiple input signals through time-multiplexed operation. The pre-amplifier is shared among N input signals by sequentially selecting and amplifying each signal, thereby reducing the total number of pre-amplifiers from N to 1 while maintaining the ability to process all input signals with offset and gain control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple signal processing functions (offset control, gain control, amplification) into a single integrated pre-amplifier unit that handles multiple input signals sequentially. This consolidation merges what would traditionally require separate dedicated circuits for each signal into one shared resource, reducing component count and manufacturing complexity
3Area of stationary object
If a single pre-amplifier is shared among multiple input signals, then circuit area is reduced, but signal selection and switching complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing timeline into discrete time intervals, with each interval dedicated to processing one specific input signal. This temporal segmentation allows a single pre-amplifier to be efficiently shared among multiple signals through controlled switching, reducing circuit area while managing switching complexity through systematic time-multiplexing
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit includes a signal selection module, an offset module, and an amplifier module. The signal selection module is configured to select one from a plurality of input signals for outputting at least one first output signal. The voltage offset module is configured to output an offset voltage. The amplifier module, coupled to the signal selection module and the voltage offset module, is configured to sample the first output signal from the signal selection module, and offset the first output signal according to the offset voltage output from the offset voltage module, and perform an amplification gain control and data buffering processes on the offset signal.