5.4.2. Process-Tolerant Circuit Design

Try these first

1. 1.

   What does the use of redundant transistor pairs achieve in circuit design?

   Hint

   Think about keeping performance consistent.

2. 2.

   Explain what digital calibration does.

   Hint

   Consider how adjustments are made.

3. 3.

   What is the main purpose of using redundant transistor pairs?

   • To increase power consumption
   • To average out performance mismatches
   • To increase component cost

   Hint

   Think about how redundancy functions.

4. 4.

   True or False: Digital calibration can use DACs to adjust outputs in response to variations.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Recall what DAC stands for.

5. 5.

   Design a schematic for an analog circuit using redundant transistor pairs and explain the benefits of your design.

   Hint

   Consider both electrically and physically how redundancy aids circuit performance.

6. 6.

   Critique an analog circuit design that lacks digital calibration methods and explain the potential impacts on performance consistency.

   Hint

   Assess how performance can vary under real-world conditions.