High-speed comparator-based switched-capacitor circuit with non-linear current source for photodiode detector applications
In scaled complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) processes, op-amp-based switched-capacitor photodiode readouts face intrinsic-gain and bandwidth limitations, motivating comparator-based switched-capacitor (CBSC) architectures that use fast comparators and current-driven charge transfer for high-speed, low-power operation. This paper introduces a novel CBSC circuit architecture designed to enhance photodiode readout performance. Unlike conventional designs that rely on high-gain operational amplifiers, the proposed approach leverages a nonlinear current source to trigger a comparator, enabling virtual-ground formation and high-speed charge transfer. The circuit was implemented and evaluated via HSPICE simulations in a 0.18 μm CMOS technology and demonstrated reliable operation at frequencies up to 100 MHz. Key innovations include a non-linear current-source scheme to accelerate the photodiode voltage response and a reset mechanism that further reduces operational delay. Detailed simulation results confirm robust, power-efficient operation with tolerance to temperature and process variations. These findings suggest that the proposed CBSC circuit is a promising, energy-efficient alternative for next-generation analog and mixed-signal sensor applications where high-speed pixel response is critical.
- Biabanifard S. High speed comparator based switched capacitor integrator based on non linear current source Electr Electron Technol. 2018;2(3):99-103. doi: 10.15406/eetoaj.2018.02.00017
- Biabanifard S, Hosseini SM, Biabanifard M, Asadi S, Yagoub MCE. Multi stage OTA design: From matrix description to circuit realization. Microelectron J. 2018;77:49-65. doi: 10.1016/j.mejo.2018.05.007
- Valianpour E, Chaharmahali I, Biabanifard S. Nonlinear current source charge scheme for comparator based switched capacitor integrator. Int J Numer Model Electron Netw Devices Fields. 2019;32(3):e2542. doi: 10.1002/jnm.2542
- Chaharmahali I, Vafadar Mianvelayat M, Biabanifard S. Enhanced comparator‐based switched‐capacitor integrator using current conveyor. Int J Numer Model Electron Netw Devices Fields. 2020;33(5):e2729. doi: 10.1002/jnm.2729
- Aghaee T, Biabanifard S, Golmakani A. Gain boosting of recycling folded cascode OTA using positive feedback and introducing new input path. Analog Integr Circuits Signal Process. 2017;90:237-246. doi: 10.1007/s10470-016-0874-2
- Rezaei I, Salmanpour A, Soldoozy A, Aghaee T. Fully active and highly reliable combined ring voltage controlled CMOS oscillator. Mem-Mater Devices Circuits Systems. 2024;8:100107. doi: 10.1016/j.memori.2024.100107
- Rezaei I, Soldoozy A, Khani AAM, Biabanifard A. Circuit design of a three-stage CMOS amplifier by circuit theory and analysis miller compensation network. Mem-Mate Devices Circuits Systems. 2023;6:100084. doi: 10.1016/j.memori.2023.100084
- Moafi A, Dehbovid H, Adarang H, Ghoreishi Amiri SS. Single Miller Compensation Based Four Stage CMOS Amplifier. IETE J Res. 2025;71(3):1040-1049. doi: 10.1080/03772063.2024.2434588
- Ghorbanzadeh S, Dehbovid H, Ghorbani A, Pahnekola MA. Two-stage class-AB OTA with improved specifications. Analog Integr Circuits Signal Process. 2022;111(2):159-168. doi: 10.1007/s10470-022-01986-4
- Rezaei I, Soldoozy A, Soltani Zanjani M, Aghaee T. Recycling folded cascode two-stage CMOS amplifier. Mem-Mater Devices Circuits Systems. 2023;6:100093. doi: 10.1016/j.memori.2023.100093
- Roohbakhsh D, Sanaee A, Aghaee T. Four‐stage CMOS operational transconductance amplifier: compensated via double differential blocks. Int J Numer Model Electron Netw Devices Fields. 2023;36(4):e3067. doi: 10.1002/jnm.3067
- Sanaei AM, Biabanifard A, Khadem MS, Aghaee T. Double differential blocks based frequency compensation: A four-stage CMOS amplifier. J Circuits Syst Comput. 2022;31(15):2250273. doi: 10.1142/S0218126622502735
- Attar M, Dehbovid H, Ghorbani A, Adarang H. Four stage CMOS operational amplifier, frequency compensated via active miller network. Eng Rep. 2024;6(8):e12810. doi: 10.1002/eng2.12810
