Versatile current-mode loser-take-all circuits for analog decoders

A new concept for finding the minimum between two variables is described in this paper. Two types of hardware implementation of the novel concept are presented in CMOS. The ease of adding and/or subtracting currents as compared to voltage summation is fully utilized to realize versatile current-mode minimum seeking circuits that could find application in analog decoders. The approach presented also has the potential of being extended in a highly modular architecture to find the minimum of an array of inputs in current-mode. The overall circuitry uses single and double output current mirrors as internal processing units connected between a 3.3 V power supply and could resolve a current difference of at least 1.5 /spl mu/A.