High-Speed and High-Precision Current Winner-Take-All Circuit

Abstract

A CMOS high-performance current-mode winner-take-all circuit is presented. The circuit employs a novel technique for inhibitory and excitatory feedbacks based on input currents average computation, achieving both high speed and high precision. The circuit is designed for operation with a wide range of input current values, allowing its integration with circuits operating both in subthreshold and in strong inversion regions. Two circuits, each for a different range of input currents, have been implemented in a standard 0.35 -μm CMOS process available through MOSIS and are operated via a 3.3-V supply. Their operation is discussed, simulation results are reported and preliminary measurements from a test chip are presented. © 2005, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. All rights reserved.