Switchable Transconductance Amplifier With Reduced Voltage Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional analog multiplexers (AMUX) suffer from high power consumption, long switching times, and low operational bandwidth due to excessive voltage overhead in their circuit stacks.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a switchable transconductance amplifier circuitry where the voltage-input circuitry and selector circuitry are at the same circuit level between the capacitor circuitry and current-sink circuitry, reducing voltage overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional circuit stack architecture is used with voltage-input circuitry and selector circuitry at different levels, then circuit functionality is achieved, but voltage overhead increases resulting in high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage-input circuitry and selector circuitry into the same circuit level, eliminating the voltage overhead associated with having them at different hierarchical levels. This consolidation reduces the total voltage required for operation while maintaining all necessary functionalities, directly addressing the power consumption issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reorganizes the circuit architecture by changing the dimensional hierarchy of circuit blocks. Instead of stacking voltage-input and selector circuitry at different voltage levels (vertical dimension), they are placed at the same circuit level (horizontal dimension), reducing voltage overhead and power consumption.
2Loss of time
If conventional circuit stack architecture is used with voltage-input circuitry and selector circuitry at different levels, then circuit functionality is achieved, but switching time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines voltage-input circuitry and selector circuitry at the same circuit level, reducing the number of switching stages required for signal propagation. This merger eliminates intermediate voltage level transitions, directly reducing switching time.
3Speed
If conventional circuit stack architecture is used with voltage-input circuitry and selector circuitry at different levels, then circuit functionality is achieved, but operational bandwidth decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges voltage-input and selector circuitry at the same circuit level, reducing voltage overhead and enabling faster signal transitions. This directly increases the operational bandwidth by allowing the circuit to respond more quickly to input changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter distribution in the circuit by eliminating intermediate voltage levels. This parameter change allows for faster switching and higher bandwidth operation while maintaining circuit functionality.
4Device complexity
If conventional circuit stack architecture is used with voltage-input circuitry and selector circuitry at different levels, then circuit functionality is achieved, but voltage overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges voltage-input and selector circuitry at the same circuit level, maintaining full circuit functionality while eliminating the voltage overhead associated with hierarchical stacking. This merger preserves all necessary operations at a reduced voltage level.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A basic (single-ended or differential) switchable transconductance amplifier has voltage-input circuitry and selector circuitry connected between capacitor circuitry and current-sink circuitry, where the capacitor circuitry and the selector circuitry are controlled to selectively convert an input voltage signal applied to the voltage-input circuitry into an output current signal, where the voltage-input circuitry and the selector circuitry are implemented at the same circuit level. More-complex circuits, such as multiplexers and de-multiplexers, can be based on the basic amplifier circuitry. By implementing the voltage-input circuitry and the selector circuitry at the same circuit level, the resulting circuit can have lower voltage overhead than equivalent prior-art circuitry, resulting in shorter switching time, higher operational bandwidth, and lower power consumption.