Revised Manuscript CML
Revised Manuscript CML
1 Introduction
edge computing, autonomous systems, and the Internet of Things. These tech-
nologies require real-time processing of data streams for timely decision-making
and response. High-speed comparators facilitate fast sensor data analysis in
Internet of Things applications, enhancing network responsiveness. Fast com-
parators also lower latency in edge computing, improving system performance.
Exploring methods to improve dynamic bias latch comparators’ performance is
driven by the growing need in contemporary electronic systems for fast and ef-
fective analog-to-digital conversion, especially in edge computing, autonomous
systems, and Internet of Things applications. By lowering propagation delays
and improving comparator design, these techniques seek to enhance the ADC’s
performance and enable quicker and more precise data processing. This work
advances electronic systems generally by encouraging innovation in ADC tech-
nology and satisfying specific application needs. In response to these require-
ments, several comparators have been developed, each employing a unique design
methodology. With developments in big data, cloud computing, and computer
vision interacting with the creation of analog-to-digital conversion technologies,
this diversity demonstrates how the technological environment is always evolving
[1].
SAR ADCs have an Input Sample and Hold (SHA) function that keeps the
signal stable throughout the conversion. SAR ADC utilizes the Binary Search
algorithm which reduces the time complexity. It uses a successive approximation
register instead of a counter which is used by other ADCs. As a result, SAR
ADCs show superior performance in terms of complexity, power dissipation and
propagation delay [19].
The dynamic bias latch type comparator is crucial in achieving high-speed
signal processing [5, 13]. This paper aims to improve the dynamic bias latch type
comparator by using three different optimization strategies: tail-enhancing, latch
modification, and triple-tail architecture [10]. The research will concentrate on
minimizing propagation latency. By strategically implementing these optimiza-
tion strategies, the paper aims to not only reduce propagation delay but also
advance the overall performance of the dynamic bias latch type comparator [6,
20]. The rest of the paper is structured in the following manner: A literature
review of the existing comparator architectures like Elzakker and Dynamic Bias
Latch Type is discussed in Section 2, followed by Section 3 which describes the
working of Dynamic Bias Latch-Type comparator. Section 4 investigates dif-
ferent performance improvement techniques. A performance comparison of the
proposed techniques is included in Section 5.
2 Literature Review
(a) (b)
Fig. 1. Dynamic Bias Latch-Type Comparator (a) Schematic Diagram (b) Transient
Analysis for VDD = 1 V
as input and is coupled with a 20F capacitor, C3. For example, in the above
scenario where INP exceeds INN, Fp and C1 discharge more rapidly. However,
instead of discharging the capacitor to zero, the charge is distributed between
C1 and C3. This distribution of charge reduces the delay in the next cycle when
the clock switches. This mechanism, facilitated by N8, contributes significantly
to the reduction of both static and dynamic power. This efficient design of the
Dynamic Bias Circuit ensures optimal performance and power management.
In advancing dynamic bias comparators, circuit delay has been significantly re-
duced through three key enhancements. Firstly, a clock-driven tail has been inte-
grated which will enhance the circuit’s slewing rate, augment the current flowing
through the circuit, and optimize the biasing condition of the circuit. Secondly,
a transition from a two-stage to a three-stage architecture, with an added am-
plifier, refines transitional dynamics for improved sensitivity. This helps in the
independent optimization of each stage. Lastly, the latch circuit has been inno-
vatively modified, departing from conventional design to optimize performance.
These enhancements collectively elevate the dynamic bias comparator’s speed,
accuracy, and reliability, aligning it with evolving demands in integrated circuit
design.
Techniques for High-Speed Dynamic Latch Comparator 5
21]. The trade-off between increased energy consumption and diminished delay
underscores the intricate design considerations and trade-offs inherent in the
proposed circuit, reinforcing its potential for enhancing performance in specific
applications[9].
Figure 4 illustrates the schematic of the third proposed circuit. During a low clock
state, transistors P1 and N7 are turned off, while P4, P5, and N8 are turned on.
Consequently, nodes Fn and Fp, along with capacitors C1 and C2, begin charging
to VDD . This action activates N1 and N4, establishing a discharging path for
OUTN and OUTP, leading to their discharge to the ground. Since OUTN and
OUTP serve as inputs to P2 and P3, these transistors are turned on.
Upon the clock transitioning to a high state, P1, and N7 are turned on, while
P4, P5, and N8 are turned off. As P2 and P3 are already activated, they charge
OUTP and OUTN to VDD , subsequently activating N2 and N3 and turning off
P2 and P3. With N1 and N2 activated, and N3 and N4 activated, OUTN and
OUTP commence discharging to the ground.
When input signals are applied and INP >INN, Fn discharges faster than Fp,
causing N1 to turn off. This results in the faster discharge of OUTP compared
to OUTN. When OUTP becomes 0, P2 is turned on, causing OUTN to become
VDD , thereby ensuring that OUTN>OUTP.
This circuit employs 13 transistors, a quantity lower than that in the con-
ventional design [18, 17]. There is a significant decrease in delay when compared
to the conventional design.
Techniques for High-Speed Dynamic Latch Comparator 7
The simulation results reveal key insights into the performance of different com-
parators, as depicted in Figure 5. In Figure 5(a), the time delay across various
VDD values shows a consistent increase in delay for all comparators as VDD in-
creases. Notably, the triple tail consistently exhibits the lowest delay, followed by
the tail-enhanced and modified latch. Figure 5(b) illustrates the Average Power
Dissipation across different VDD levels. An increase in VDD results in higher aver-
age power dissipation. The dynamic bias comparator consistently demonstrates
the lowest power dissipation, followed by tail enhanced, modified latch, and triple
tail. This graph demonstrates a contrasting trend to the delay graph due to the
necessity of maintaining a constant power delay product. Consequently, when
a comparator experiences a reduction in delay, its power will correspondingly
increase.
Moving to Figure 5(c), which represents Total Energy Dissipation, an in-
crease in VDD leads to higher total power dissipation for all comparators. In
Figure 5(d), depicting Static Power across varying VDD , dynamic bias exhibits
the least static power dissipation when VDD is less than or equal to 1. As VDD in-
creases, the triple tail starts showing the least static power dissipation, followed
by the modified latch, dynamic bias, and tail enhancement. Figure 5(e) focuses
on Dynamic Power Dissipation across different VDD values. Despite an increase
in dynamic power for dynamic bias with rising VDD , it consistently maintains
the least dynamic power dissipation among all comparators. Following dynamic
bias, tail enhanced, modified latch, and triple tail exhibit increasing dynamic
power dissipation.
Table 1 presents an exhaustive comparative analysis of crucial performance
metrics for four distinct variants of Dynamic Bias Comparators: namely, the Dy-
namic Bias Latch-Type Comparator, Tail-Enhanced, Triple-Tail Dynamic Archi-
tecture, and Modified Latch. This evaluation is conducted on a consistent 45 nm
CMOS technology platform, operating at a supply voltage of 1 V and a sam-
8 Ekansh Jindal et al.
(d) (e)
strates a total energy dissipation of 142.708 fJ. While, the Modified Latch shows
a substantial increase of 254.4%, recording a total energy dissipation of 69.387
fJ.
Average power dissipation follows a similar trend, with Dynamic Bias Com-
parator manifesting 2.4425 µW. The Tail-Enhanced variant experiences an in-
crease of about 73.4%, totaling 4.2333 µW. Meanwhile, the Triple-Tail Dynamic
Architecture showcases a notable decrease of approximately 86.7%, registering at
17.8385 µW. The Modified Latch exhibits an increase of approximately 255.4%,
recording an average power dissipation of 8.6734 µW.
Considering static power dissipation, the Dynamic Bias Comparator incurs
34.891 nW, and the Tail-Enhanced variant experiences an increase of approxi-
mately 30.8%, totaling 45.6 nW. The Triple-Tail Dynamic Architecture records
a marginal decrease of approximately 11.2%, resulting in static power dissipation
of 38.6923 nW. The Modified Latch exhibits a slight increase of approximately
24.5%.
Table 1 illustrates that despite the variants exhibiting lower comparator de-
lay, the dynamic power consumption and power-delay product of the dynamic
bias latch-type comparator are the most optimal. Reducing the delay of a com-
parator circuit will lead to faster response times and improved performance in
applications where quick decision-making is crucial, such as in digital signal pro-
cessing, analog-to-digital conversion, and sensor interfaces. However, excessively
reducing the delay could potentially introduce issues such as increased power
consumption and higher noise sensitivity.
6 Conclusion
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