Title :
Ratiometric Voltage-to-Frequency Converter for Long-Life Autonomous Portable Equipment
Author :
Azcona, C. ; Calvo, B. ; Celma, S. ; Medrano, N. ; Martinez, Philip A.
Author_Institution :
Electron. Design Group, Univ. of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Abstract :
This paper presents a high performance 1.2 V-0.18 μm CMOS voltage-to-frequency converter (VFC) that can be used either in single or differential mode to digitize sensor readout signals in wireless sensor network applications. The proposed VFC works over the entire input range with output frequencies ranging between 0.1 and 1.0MHz, which allows the sensor node embedded microcontroller performing optimally the final digitalization Its operation is ratiometric, adding value to this device when used in battery operated systems. High linearity is achieved (0.015% linearity error) with low power consumption (80 μW) over a temperature range of -40 to +120°C.
Keywords :
CMOS integrated circuits; frequency convertors; microcontrollers; portable instruments; power consumption; wireless sensor networks; VFC; differential mode; digitize sensor readout signals; frequency 0.1 MHz to 1.0 MHz; high performance CMOS voltage-to-frequency converter; long-life autonomous portable equipment; power 80 muW; power consumption; ratiometric voltage-to-frequency converter; sensor node embedded microcontroller; single mode; size 0.18 mum; temperature -40 degC to 120 degC; voltage 1.2 V; wireless sensor network applications; Capacitors; Linearity; Power demand; Resistors; Temperature sensors; Transistors; Wireless sensor networks; Low-voltage low-power; ratiometric; sensor interface; temperature compensation; voltage-to-frequency converter;
Journal_Title :
Sensors Journal, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/JSEN.2013.2254595
