Electronic circuit having dynamic resistance element
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electronic circuit having a first node, a second node, and a third node, the electronic circuit comprising:
- a first capacitor electrically coupled between the first and second nodes;
a second capacitor electrically coupled between the second and third nodes;
a dynamic resistance element electrically coupled between the first and third nodes for receiving a current input signal from the third node, wherein the dynamic resistance element is configured to have a variable resistance that changes in accordance with a voltage difference across the dynamic resistance element;
a charge transfer switch electrically coupled between the first node and the dynamic resistance element to enable charge transfer from the first capacitor to the third node through the dynamic resistance element when the charge transfer switch is closed;
a recharge circuit electrically coupled across the first capacitor to recharge the first capacitor to a common voltage when the charge transfer switch is open; and
a comparator having a first terminal electrically coupled to the third node, a second terminal electrically coupled to a reference voltage, and an output terminal electrically coupled to the charge transfer switch.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a delta-sigma modulator circuit for use in a pixelated image sensor or a readout integrated circuit. In one aspect, the modulator circuit includes a dynamic resistance element configured to have a variable resistance that changes in accordance with a voltage difference across the dynamic resistance element.
-
Citations
31 Claims
-
1. An electronic circuit having a first node, a second node, and a third node, the electronic circuit comprising:
-
a first capacitor electrically coupled between the first and second nodes; a second capacitor electrically coupled between the second and third nodes; a dynamic resistance element electrically coupled between the first and third nodes for receiving a current input signal from the third node, wherein the dynamic resistance element is configured to have a variable resistance that changes in accordance with a voltage difference across the dynamic resistance element; a charge transfer switch electrically coupled between the first node and the dynamic resistance element to enable charge transfer from the first capacitor to the third node through the dynamic resistance element when the charge transfer switch is closed; a recharge circuit electrically coupled across the first capacitor to recharge the first capacitor to a common voltage when the charge transfer switch is open; and a comparator having a first terminal electrically coupled to the third node, a second terminal electrically coupled to a reference voltage, and an output terminal electrically coupled to the charge transfer switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. An electronic circuit having a first node, a second node, and a third node, the electronic circuit comprising:
-
a first capacitor electrically coupled between the first and second nodes; a second capacitor electrically coupled between the second and third nodes; a dynamic resistance element electrically coupled between the first and third nodes, wherein the dynamic resistance element is configured to have a variable resistance that changes in accordance with a voltage difference across the dynamic resistance element; a charge transfer switch electrically coupled between the first node and the dynamic resistance element to enable charge transfer from the first capacitor to the third node through the dynamic resistance element when the charge transfer switch is closed; a recharge circuit electrically coupled across the first capacitor to recharge the first capacitor when the charge transfer switch is open, wherein the recharge circuit comprises a reset switch electrically coupled to the first node and a limiter switch electrically coupled to the reset switch; and a comparator having a first terminal electrically coupled to the third node, a second terminal electrically coupled to a reference voltage, and an output terminal electrically coupled to the charge transfer switch. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. An electronic circuit having a first node, a second node, and a third node, the electronic circuit comprising:
-
a first capacitor electrically coupled between the first and second nodes; a second capacitor electrically coupled between the second and third nodes; a dynamic resistance element electrically coupled between the first and third nodes for receiving a current input signal from the third node, wherein the dynamic resistance element is configured to have a variable resistance that changes in accordance with a voltage difference across the dynamic resistance element; a charge transfer switch electrically coupled between the first node and the dynamic resistance element to enable charge transfer from the first capacitor to the second capacitor when the charge transfer switch is closed; a recharge circuit electrically coupled across the first capacitor to recharge the first capacitor to a first supply voltage when the charge transfer switch is open; and a comparator having a first terminal electrically coupled to the third node, a second terminal electrically coupled to a reference voltage, and an output terminal electrically coupled to the charge transfer switch; wherein the dynamic resistance element is electrically coupled with a second supply voltage different from the first supply voltage.
-
-
31. A readout circuit for processing input signals, the readout circuit comprising:
-
a first capacitor electrically coupled between a first node and a second node; a second capacitor electrically coupled between the second node and a third node; a dynamic resistance element electrically coupled between the first node and the third node, the dynamic resistance element being configured to have a variable resistance that changes in accordance with a voltage value at the first node; a charge transfer switch electrically coupled between the first node and the dynamic resistance element; a recharge circuit electrically coupled across the first capacitor; and a comparator having a first terminal electrically coupled to the third node, a second terminal electrically coupled to a reference voltage, and an output terminal electrically coupled to the charge transfer switch.
-
Specification