Direct Current to Digital Converter (DIDC): A Current Sensor

This paper introduces a systematic approach to the design of Direct Current-to-Digital Converter (DIDC) specifically engineered to overcome the limitations of traditional current measurement methodologies in System-on-Chip (SoC) designs. The proposed DIDC addresses critical challenges such as high p...

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Main Authors: Saeid Karimpour, Michael Sekyere, Isaac Bruce, Emmanuel Nti Darko, Degang Chen, Colin C. McAndrew, Doug Garrity, Xiankun Jin, Ilhan Hatirnaz, Chen He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/21/6789
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author Saeid Karimpour
Michael Sekyere
Isaac Bruce
Emmanuel Nti Darko
Degang Chen
Colin C. McAndrew
Doug Garrity
Xiankun Jin
Ilhan Hatirnaz
Chen He
author_facet Saeid Karimpour
Michael Sekyere
Isaac Bruce
Emmanuel Nti Darko
Degang Chen
Colin C. McAndrew
Doug Garrity
Xiankun Jin
Ilhan Hatirnaz
Chen He
author_sort Saeid Karimpour
collection DOAJ
description This paper introduces a systematic approach to the design of Direct Current-to-Digital Converter (DIDC) specifically engineered to overcome the limitations of traditional current measurement methodologies in System-on-Chip (SoC) designs. The proposed DIDC addresses critical challenges such as high power consumption, large area requirements, and the need for intermediate analog signals. By incorporating a current mirror in a cascode topology and managing the current across multiple binary-sized branches with the Successive Approximation Register (SAR) logic, the design achieves precise current measurement. A simple comparator, coupled with an isolation circuit, ensures accurate and reliable sensing. Fabricated using the TSMC 180 nm process, the DIDC achieves 8-bit precision without the need for nonlinearity calibration, showcasing remarkable energy efficiency with an energy per conversion of 1.52 pJ, power consumption of 117 µW, and a compact area of 0.016 mm². This innovative approach not only reduces power consumption and area, but also provides a scalable and efficient solution for next-generation semiconductor technologies. The ability to conduct online measurements during both standard operations and in-field conditions significantly enhances the performance and reliability of SoCs, making this DIDC a promising advancement in the field.
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spelling doaj-art-e1bfdcdda8c245a29de180c1c9f0c5b22024-11-08T14:40:57ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202024-10-012421678910.3390/s24216789Direct Current to Digital Converter (DIDC): A Current SensorSaeid Karimpour0Michael Sekyere1Isaac Bruce2Emmanuel Nti Darko3Degang Chen4Colin C. McAndrew5Doug Garrity6Xiankun Jin7Ilhan Hatirnaz8Chen He9Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE), Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USADepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE), Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USADepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE), Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USADepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE), Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USADepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE), Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USANXP Semiconductors, Chandler, AZ 85224, USANXP Semiconductors, Chandler, AZ 85224, USANXP Semiconductors, Chandler, AZ 85224, USANXP Semiconductors, Chandler, AZ 85224, USANXP Semiconductors, Chandler, AZ 85224, USAThis paper introduces a systematic approach to the design of Direct Current-to-Digital Converter (DIDC) specifically engineered to overcome the limitations of traditional current measurement methodologies in System-on-Chip (SoC) designs. The proposed DIDC addresses critical challenges such as high power consumption, large area requirements, and the need for intermediate analog signals. By incorporating a current mirror in a cascode topology and managing the current across multiple binary-sized branches with the Successive Approximation Register (SAR) logic, the design achieves precise current measurement. A simple comparator, coupled with an isolation circuit, ensures accurate and reliable sensing. Fabricated using the TSMC 180 nm process, the DIDC achieves 8-bit precision without the need for nonlinearity calibration, showcasing remarkable energy efficiency with an energy per conversion of 1.52 pJ, power consumption of 117 µW, and a compact area of 0.016 mm². This innovative approach not only reduces power consumption and area, but also provides a scalable and efficient solution for next-generation semiconductor technologies. The ability to conduct online measurements during both standard operations and in-field conditions significantly enhances the performance and reliability of SoCs, making this DIDC a promising advancement in the field.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/21/6789reliabilitymeasurementADCDIDCCMOSVLSI
spellingShingle Saeid Karimpour
Michael Sekyere
Isaac Bruce
Emmanuel Nti Darko
Degang Chen
Colin C. McAndrew
Doug Garrity
Xiankun Jin
Ilhan Hatirnaz
Chen He
Direct Current to Digital Converter (DIDC): A Current Sensor
Sensors
reliability
measurement
ADC
DIDC
CMOS
VLSI
title Direct Current to Digital Converter (DIDC): A Current Sensor
title_full Direct Current to Digital Converter (DIDC): A Current Sensor
title_fullStr Direct Current to Digital Converter (DIDC): A Current Sensor
title_full_unstemmed Direct Current to Digital Converter (DIDC): A Current Sensor
title_short Direct Current to Digital Converter (DIDC): A Current Sensor
title_sort direct current to digital converter didc a current sensor
topic reliability
measurement
ADC
DIDC
CMOS
VLSI
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/21/6789
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