Time Amplifier Circuit With Pull-Down Paths for Small Time Differences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional time amplifiers face challenges in achieving high-gain time amplification for small time differences between signals, leading to limitations in debugging circuits where precise measurement is required.
Innovation Solution
A time amplifier circuit design utilizing first and second inverters with NMOS and PMOS transistors, along with pull-down paths, where the sources of the transistors are coupled to ground, enabling independent and dependent pull-down paths to amplify time differences between input signals, resulting in increased small-signal gain and reduced intrinsic delay time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional time amplifier circuits are used, then time difference amplification is achieved, but the gain is limited and intrinsic delay time is high
Solution Approach 1:
The time amplifier circuit is segmented into two independent inverter units, each with its own pull-down path. This segmentation allows each unit to operate semi-independently, reducing the complexity of signal interaction while maintaining high gain time amplification capability through the differential configuration of the two segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Each inverter unit is equipped with a dedicated pull-down path configured with specific transistor arrangements (first and second additional NMOS transistors) to optimize local signal processing. This local quality enhancement ensures that each path can independently contribute to time difference amplification, improving overall measurement precision without proportionally increasing global complexity.
2Measurement precision
If high-gain time amplification is achieved, then measurement precision improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit utilizes periodic switching of the pull-down paths through the inverter configuration, where transistors are activated and deactivated in response to input signal transitions. This periodic action allows the circuit to achieve high gain amplification only when needed (during signal transitions), reducing continuous power consumption while maintaining measurement precision during active operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit dynamically changes the effective resistance and conductance parameters of the pull-down paths by switching transistor states. During active measurement, the pull-down paths are configured to provide low resistance for high gain amplification. During idle periods, transistors are switched to high-resistance states, minimizing power consumption while preserving the ability to achieve high measurement precision when signals are present.
Data Source
AI summary
A time amplifier circuit has first and second inverters and first and second pull-down paths. Each inverter includes a first NMOS transistor and a first PMOS transistor. A source of the first NMOS transistor is coupled to a ground node directly or through a first additional NMOS transistor having a gate coupled to a respective input node. The first and second inverters are coupled to first and second input nodes and to first and second output nodes, respectively. The first pull-down path is from the first output node to the ground node and is enabled in response to the first input signal and the second output signal being high. The second pull-down path is from the second output node to ground and is enabled in response to the second input signal and the first output signal being high.