CMOS SPADs selection, modeling and characterization towards image sensors implementation

The selection, modeling and characterization of Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) are presented. Working with the standard 180nm UMC CMOS process, different SPAD structures are proposed in combination with several quenching circuits in order to compare their relative performances. Various configurations for the active region and the prevention of the premature edge breakdown are tested, looking for a miniaturization of the devices to implement image sensor arrays without loses in their performance

On the development of a MODEM for data transmission and control of electrical household appliances using the low-voltage power-line

This paper presents a CMOS 0,6μm mixed-signal MODEM ASIC for data transmission on the low-voltage power line. The circuit includes all the analog circuitry needed for input interfacing and modulation/demodulation (PLL-based frequency synthesis, slave filter banks with PLL master VCO for tuning, decision circuitry, etc.) plus the logic circuitry needed for control purposes. The circuit operates correctly in the whole industrial temperature range, from -45 to 80°C, under 5% variations of the 3.3V supply voltage.Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología FD97-1611(TIC)Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología TIC200 1-092

CMOS mixed-signal MODEM for data transmission and control of electrical household appliances using the low-voltage power-line

This paper presents a CMOS 0.6μm mixed-signal MODEM ASIC for data transmission using the low-voltage power line. This circuit includes all the analog blocks needed for input interfacing and modulation/demodulation (PLL-based frequency synthesis, slave filter banks with PLL master VCO for tuning, and decision circuitry) plus the logic circuitry needed for control purposes. The circuit operates correctly within the industrial temperature range, from -45 to 80°C, under 5% variations of the 3.3V supply voltage.Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología 1FD97-1611(TIC)Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología TIC2001-092

Error control in simplification before generation algorithms for symbolic analysis of large analogue circuits

Circuit reduction is a fundamental first step in addressing the symbolic analysis of large analogue circuits. A new algorithm for simplification before generation is presented which is very efficient in terms of speed and the amount of circuit reduction, and solves the accuracy problems of previously reported approaches

An error-controlled methodology for approximate hierarchical symbolic analysis

Limitations of existing approaches for symbolic analysis of large analog circuits are discussed. To address their solution, a new methodology for hierarchical symbolic analysis is introduced. The combination of a hierarchical modeling technique and approximation strategies, comprising circuit reduction, graph-based symbolic solution of circuit equations and matrix-based error control, provides optimum results in terms of speech and quality of results.European Commission ESPRIT 21812Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología TIC97-058

Characterization-Based Modeling of Retriggering and Afterpulsing for Passively Quenched CMOS SPADs

The current trend in the design of systems based on CMOS SPADs is to adopt smaller technological nodes, allowing the co-integration of additional electronics for the implementation of complex digital systems on chip. Due to their simplicity, a way to reduce the area occupied by the integrated electronics is the use of passive quenching circuits (PQCs) instead of active (AQCs) or mixed (MQCs) ones. However, the recharge phase in PQCs is slower, so the device can be retriggered before this phase ends. This paper studies the phenomena of afterpulsing and retriggering, depending on the characteristics of the SPADs and the working conditions. In order to do that, a test chip containing SPADs of different size has been characterized in several operating environments. A mathematical model has been proposed for fitting afterpulsing phenomenon. It is shown that retriggering can be also described in terms of this model, suggesting that it is linked to carriers trapped in the shallow levels of the semiconductor and that should be taken into account when considering the total amount of afterpulsing events.Junta de Andalucía TIC 233

Effects of capacitors non-idealities in un-even split-capacitor array SAR ADCs

This paper studies the effects of capacitors non-idealities in the performance of un-even split-capacitor SAR ADCs. Also, election of the m and l bits of MSB and LSB capacitors banks, respectively, is studied to reduce SAR errors.To exemplify and quantify the non-idealities, MOM capacitors are used. In particular, MOM layout parasitics and effective capacitor’s value is obtained with an electrical extraction tool using a flattened view of the MOM. Effects of capacitors layout placement in the SAR and their surroundings in the effective capacitance value are quantified. A quantitative study of a 10-bit un-even split-capacitor SAR is done for different combinations of m and l bits. Finally, a qualitative set of guidelines to choose the distribution of these bits is listed

A 0.35 μm CMOS 17-bit@40-kS/s cascade 2-1 ΣΔ modulator with programmable gain and programmable chopper stabilization

This paper describes a 0.35μm CMOS chopper-stabilized Switched-Capacitor 2-1 cascade ΣDelta; modulator for automotive sensor interfaces. For a better fitting to the characteristics of different sensor outputs, the modulator includes a programmable set of gains (x0.5, x1, x2, and x4) and a programmable set of chopper frequencies (fs/16, fs/8, fs/4 and fs/2). It has also been designed to operate within the restrictive environmental conditions of automotive electronics (-40°C, 175°C). The modulator architecture has been selected after an exhaustive comparison among multiple ΣΔM topologies in terms of resolution, speed and power dissipation. The design of the modulator building blocks is based upon a top-down CAD methodology which combines simulation and statistical optimization at different levels of the modulator hierarchy. The circuit is clocked at 5.12MHz and consumes, all together, 14.7mW from a single 3.3-V supply. Experimental measurements result in 99.77dB of Dynamic Range (DR), which combined with the gain programmability leads to an overall DR of 112dB. This puts the presented design beyond the state-of-the-art according with the existing bibliography

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

5×5 SPAD matrices for the study of the trade-offs between fill factor, dark count rate and crosstalk in the design of CMOS image sensors

CMOS Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) are a dedicated type of photodetectors that are attracting increasing interest. Crosstalk and fill factor are magnitudes that become important when dealing with arrays of SPADs. There are trade-offs that involve these two magnitudes and dark count rate (DCR) which are of great interest for the implementation of image sensors. A set of 5×5 matrices of SPADs with different sizes and shapes is designed to study the relationships between FF, crosstalk and DCR, and conceive an accurate behavioural model of SPAD arrays. The testchip is fully operative and preliminary experimental results are presented.Office of Naval Research (USA) N000141410355Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad IPT-2011-1625-430000, TEC2012-38921-C02-01Junta de Andalucía P12-TIC-233