Switched Capacitor Analog Computation Without A/D Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital signal processing techniques for algebraic functions like the Fourier transform require digital converters, which are expensive and slow, and digital signal processors have limitations in power efficiency, area efficiency, and processing speed compared to analog methods.
Innovation Solution
The development of a switched capacitor integrated circuit that uses multiple groups of capacitors and configurable switches to perform analog computation, allowing for charge redistribution and implementation of algebraic functions without the need for digital converters, enabling efficient processing of continuous-valued signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital signal processors (DSP) are used to compute algebraic functions, then computation accuracy is improved, but processing speed and power efficiency deteriorate due to the need for digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the converter components (digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters) from the signal processing system. By implementing the computation entirely in the analog domain using switched capacitor circuits, the system eliminates the need for converters, thereby removing the speed bottleneck and power consumption associated with these conversion operations while maintaining computation accuracy through precise capacitor-based arithmetic operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/digital processing system with an analog electronic system. Instead of using digital signal processors that require conversion between domains, the invention uses switched capacitor circuits that perform algebraic operations directly on analog signals, replacing the mechanical conversion process with direct electronic computation that is both faster and more power-efficient
2Measurement precision
If digital signal processors (DSP) are used to compute algebraic functions, then computation accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases due to the need for converters and digital processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the power-hungry converter components from the system. By performing computation entirely in the analog domain using switched capacitor circuits, the system eliminates the power consumption associated with digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversion operations, significantly reducing overall power usage while maintaining computation accuracy through precise capacitor-based arithmetic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the high-power digital processing system with a low-power analog electronic system. The switched capacitor circuits perform algebraic operations directly on analog signals without requiring conversion, replacing the power-intensive digital processing architecture with an energy-efficient analog implementation that achieves the same computational accuracy with much lower power consumption
3Adaptability or versatility
If converters are used in analog circuits for signal processing, then signal conversion between domains is achieved, but device complexity and area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the converter components from the circuit architecture. By implementing the computation entirely in the analog domain using switched capacitor circuits, the system eliminates the need for digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters, thereby reducing device complexity and occupying less chip area while maintaining signal conversion capability through direct analog processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the switched capacitor circuit universal by enabling it to perform multiple algebraic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and various signal processing functions (Fourier transform, filtering) within a single integrated circuit structure. This multi-functional analog processing core replaces multiple specialized components including converters, thereby reducing overall device complexity and area
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for fast and efficient analog computation of complex functions like the Discrete Fourier Transform, reducing the need for digital converters and improving power, area, and processing speed efficiency, enabling real-time processing of signals.
Implementation Method 1
a first group of capacitors, a second group of capacitors and an input circuit for receiving a set of input signals and for inducing a charge on each capacitor in the first group of capacitors according to a corresponding input signal
Data Source
AI summary
Some general aspects of the invention relate to a circuit and to a method for analog computation, for example, using switched capacitor integrated circuits. In some examples, a circuit includes a first group of capacitors and a second group of capacitors that may store charges during circuit operation. The first and/or the second group of capacitors may include multiple disjoint subsets of capacitors. An input circuit is provided for receiving a set of input signals and for inducing a charge on each of some or all capacitors in the first group of capacitors according to a corresponding input signal. Switches, for example, transistors controlled by a sequence of clock signals, are used to couple different sets of capacitors. Different configurations of the switches are used to form different sets of the capacitors among which charge can redistribute.