Programmable Voltage-to-Time Converter With Linear Gain Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current voltage to time converters (VTC) have limited gain control capabilities, often requiring preamplifier stages or automatic gain control, which increase complexity and power consumption, and struggle with distortion and voltage headroom limitations.
Innovation Solution
A programmable voltage to time converter with a capacitive injection locked oscillator (C-ILO) structure, featuring a relaxation oscillator with a linearly controllable component, allowing for independent and precise gain and bandwidth control using gain and bandwidth control words, eliminating the need for preamplifiers and reducing distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If preamplifier stage or automatic gain control is added to VTC, then gain control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gain control function directly into the VTC architecture by integrating a current source that can be controlled by a digital gain control word. This merges the signal conditioning function with the time conversion function, eliminating the need for separate preamplifier stages or automatic gain control circuits, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining gain control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The VTC architecture is designed to perform multiple functions: time conversion, gain control, and signal conditioning all within a single integrated circuit. The gain control word interface allows the same hardware to adapt to different signal strengths and requirements, providing universal functionality without requiring additional specialized components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If preamplifier stage or automatic gain control is added to VTC, then gain control capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the gain control function into the VTC's current source, the patent eliminates the need for separate power-consuming preamplifier stages or automatic gain control circuits. The gain control is achieved by digitally adjusting the current source parameters, which consumes minimal power compared to analog amplification stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The VTC architecture provides self-service gain control through its integrated current source that can be directly controlled by a digital gain control word. This self-contained approach eliminates the need for external power-consuming signal conditioning circuits, allowing the system to regulate its own gain without additional power overhead.
3Ease of operation
If variable slope VTC architecture is used with injection current tuning, then gain tuning ease is improved, but output swing distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic gain control mechanism where the current source parameters can be adjusted in real-time based on signal conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the VTC to maintain optimal performance across varying input signals while avoiding the fixed distortion issues of traditional variable slope architectures. The relaxation oscillator's natural dynamics further help in reducing distortion through its inherent signal conditioning properties.
4Adaptability or versatility
If constant-slope VTC architecture provides more degrees of freedom for gain control, then gain control flexibility is improved, but tuning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the tuning process by changing the control interface from complex analog adjustments to simple digital parameter control. The gain control word provides a straightforward digital interface that directly controls the current source parameters, making tuning easy while maintaining the flexibility of constant-slope architecture. This parameter-based control approach eliminates the complexity of manual tuning procedures.
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
Enables accurate and efficient one-step amplification and conversion with reduced complexity and power consumption, maintaining low distortion and compatibility with various sensors, suitable for low-power applications like biomedical and IoT devices.
Implementation Method 1
A programmable voltage to time converter with a capacitive injection locked oscillator (C-ILO) structure, featuring a relaxation oscillator
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a programmable voltage to time converter, comprising:a locking frequency generator configured to generate a locking frequency;a current generator configured to generate a biasing current;a relaxation oscillator configured to be powered by the biasing current and to generate an output voltage signal from the locking frequency, a gain control word and an input voltage signal;a phase difference block configured to determine a phase difference between a first signal corresponding to the output voltage signal and a second signal determined based on the locking frequency.The relaxation oscillator comprises a component presenting a linearly controllable characteristic. The voltage to time converter presents a gain linearly or dB-linearly controllable based on the gain control word by controlling linearly said characteristic of said component.