Tutorial: Process-Scalable Low-Power Amplifiers

Dynamic amplifiers have received increasing interest in state-of-the-art systems due to their superior power efficiency and scalability with technology. They have, for example, found many applications in low-power ADCs as error/residue amplifiers or loop filters. This tutorial will introduce various types of dynamic and ring amplifiers. Their conventional structures and basic operational principles will be explained, and a diverse range of topologies, as well as corresponding design tradeoffs, will be described. The effects of PVT variations on their performance and design considerations will also be discussed. Through this tutorial, attendees will obtain a solid understanding of the basics of dynamic and ring amplifiers, including design choices, tradeoffs, and considerations, along with an overview of recent developments.