US 10,594,299 B1 · Dynamic resistance element analog counter

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an analog counter circuit for use in a minimal-sized circuitry. The analog counter circuit of the present disclosure can provide much higher resolution versus power consumption and layout area as compared to conventional digital counters. The analog counter circuit of the present disclosure can also provide much better bias supply management, step accuracy, multi-element step uniformity and lower supply spiking as compared to conventional analog counter architectures. The compact size of the disclosed counter circuit allows better integration of arrayed elements, such as, an array of image sensing pixels or an array of artificial neurons.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An analog counter, comprising:

a dynamic resistance element having a first terminal and a second terminal electrically coupled to an output terminal, the dynamic resistance element having a variable resistance and comprising a regulated cascode;
an input switch electrically coupled to the first terminal of the dynamic resistance element, the input switch being configured to receive an input signal;
a first capacitor electrically coupled to the input switch through a first node and directly between a supply voltage and the first node;
a charge transfer switch electrically coupled between the first node and the supply voltage;
a second capacitor electrically coupled directly between the supply voltage and the output terminal;
and
a reset switch electrically coupled between the second terminal of the dynamic resistance element and a ground.

4 more elements

A multi-stage analog counter, comprising:

a first stage analog counter comprising a first dynamic resistance element, a first switch coupled to a first terminal of the first dynamic resistance element, and a first reset switch coupled between a second terminal of the first dynamic resistance element and a ground, the second terminal being coupled to a first output terminal, wherein the first dynamic resistance element comprises a regulated cascode;
a second stage analog counter comprising a second dynamic resistance element and a second switch coupled to a first terminal of the second dynamic resistance element, wherein a second terminal of the second dynamic resistance element is coupled to a second output terminal, wherein the second dynamic resistance element comprises a regulated cascode;
and
a comparator configured to compare a first output voltage directly from the first stage analog counter with a reference voltage;
wherein, when the first output voltage reaches the reference voltage, the comparator is configured to generate a second output voltage to turn on the first reset switch of the first stage analog counter and the second switch of the second stage analog counter, and to turn off the first switch of the first stage analog counter, such that the second stage analog counter increments by one count and the first stage analog counter is reset.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dynamic resistance element analog counter

Life of this patent

Dynamic resistance element analog counter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18