AC Analysis of Idealized Switched-Capacitor Circuits in Spice-Compatible

Programs

DALIBOR BIOLEK1, VIERA BIOLKOVA2, ZDENEK KOLKA2

Depts. of Microelectronics1 and Radioelectronics2, Brno University of Technology
Dept. of EE1, University of Defence, Brno, Czech Republic
[email protected] http://user.unob.cz/biolek

Abstract: Direct AC analysis of idealized switched-capacitor circuits in Spice-compatible programs is described in

the paper. The capacitor is described by a special macro-circuit, whose mathematical model is based on modified z-
domain charge equations and on the theory of equivalent signals.

Keywords: - switched capacitor, analysis, SPICE.

1 Introduction capacitors, ideal switches with zero on-resistances and

zero off-conductances, and ideal controlled sources.
Their inability of direct small-signal AC analysis of Also some real properties of circuit elements can be
switched-capacitor (SC) and switched-current (SI) modeled. Most of such methods are based on so-called
circuits belongs to well-known limitations of Spice- charge equations. After applying the z-transform, they
compatible programs. The only universal method, which lead to discrete-time equivalent models of switched
is very laborious and time consuming indeed, consists in circuit. The frequency responses can be obtained after
the steady state transient analysis with the input signal the well-known substitution z = exp(jωTS), where TS is
swept by a harmonic signal of a given frequency, the the switching period. Other special methods, which are
selection of an AC component of output signal, and its appropriate for modeling the AC behavior of general
comparison with the input. This procedure must be linear circuits with periodically controlled switches, e.g.
repeated for more frequencies. A certain degree of the method of generalized transfer functions (GTF) [5],
automation of such actions in the WinSpice (SPICE3) can be applied in SPICE only for unified simple blocks,
program is described in [1]. This method uses a multi- for which the GTF is determined analytically and then it
tone excitation of the switched circuit. The is modeled using the means of behavioral modeling [6].
corresponding complex transfers are then determined via
spectral analysis. Another method is described in [2]. A direct AC analysis of idealized two-phase SC
The z-domain equivalent circuit is modeled in the circuits in Spice-compatible programs is described
confinuous-time domain using the lossless transmission below. The frequency responses are not obtained via
line element to implement the required one-port storage repeated transient analysis or by the method of multi-
element (storistor). The method is restricted to those SC tone excitation, but by the conventional Spice-like AC
networks where the effects of nonideal OpAmps can be analysis of a specially made-up model of switched
neglected [2]. circuit. The user must create a double circuit, taking into
account the configuration of switches in both switching
The utilization of direct Spice-like AC analysis
phases. This procedure is time-saving thanks to special
cannot be performed here because it starts from the
models of capacitors which reflect the interlacing of
circuit linearization around the DC operating point.
their behavior between the switching phases. The
However, the operating point of switched circuit is
method can be easily extended to multi-phase switching.
periodically swept by virtue of the switching signal.
However, making-up such models would be rather
A number of algorithms for gaining the above laborious in the SPICE environment. It is also
frequency responses directly and with much less determined by limited SPICE features in generating
computational effort are described in the literature [3], more complicated netlists via conventional PSpice
[4]. However, these procedures are not compatible with template [7].
mathematical algorithms, implemented in the SPICE- The method can be also partially extended to Spice
family programs. That is why they were used on the modeling of real properties of circuit elements, e.g.
platform of special analysis programs. Such programs switch resistances or OpAmp bandwidth. More details
can solve switched circuits, consisting of ideal can be found in [8].
2 Behavioral SPICE model of The charge equations can be transferred into the
current equations, which can be already implemented
capacitor in ideal SC circuit in Spice:
Consider the switched capacitor in Fig. 1 (a). The C 1 −
number 1 or 2 at the switch denotes the switching phase < i >1 = [v (kTs + DTs ) − v 2 (kTs− )],
Ts
in which this switch is on. The switching diagram (1)
together with the sketch of the capacitor voltage C 2 −
waveform is in Fig. 1 (b). Note that the so-called < i >2 = [v (kTs + Ts ) − v1 (kTs + DTs− )],
Ts
inconsistent initial conditions [9] can appear in the
circuit due to ideal switch models, which result in the where <i>1 and <i>2 are the average values of capacitor
discontinuous recharging of capacitors by currents in the current in switching phases 1 and 2, averaged over the
form of Dirac impulses. That is why one should expect entire switching period:
discontinuities in capacitor voltages. It is necessary to kTs + DTs
discriminate between the left-side and the right-side 1 q 1 (kTs + DTs )
< i > (kTs + DTs ) =
1
∫ i (t )dt =
limits at instances when the switches change their states. Ts Ts
kTs
1 2 kTs +Ts
q1 q2 1 q 2 (kTs + Ts )
< i > 2 (kTs + Ts ) = ∫ i(t )dt = .
1 Ts kT + DTs s
Ts
<i> <i>
2

C
For the purpose of the AC analysis of the switched
1
v vc v 2 circuit whose part is the switched capacitor in Fig. 1,
q1 1 q2 consider the periodic steady state in the circuit due to
<i>
1 2 2 harmonic input signal est, s = jω. It can be shown that
(a) <i>
each signal in the switched circuit can be approximated
by the so-called equivalent signal, which is also of
1 2 1 2
harmonic nature with the identical repeating frequency
vc ω [5]. More concretely, the equivalent signal
DTS D'TS v1e = Vˆ 1e st , where Vˆ 1 is the complex phasor of this
signal, can be interleaved with the „o“ points in Fig. 1
kTS kTS +DTS kTS +TS kTS +TS +DTS t (b), which correspond to the ends of phases 1 in the
sense of the left-side limits. Similarly, the equivalent
(b)
harmonic signal v 2 e = Vˆ 2 e st is interleaved with the
„x“ points. Then Eq. (1) can be rewritten via these
Fig. 1: (a) Switched capacitor, (b) switching diagram
equivalent signals. Simple arrangements yield:
with marked limit values of capacitor voltage at the
ends of switching phases 1 (o) and 2 (x). D∈(0,1) is
C C
the duty ratio, D‘=1-D. Iˆ1 = [Vˆ 1 − Vˆ 2 z − D ] , Iˆ 2 = [Vˆ 2 − Vˆ 1 z − D′ ] , (2)
Ts Ts
The following charge equations are true for the
circuit in Fig. 1: where the phasors of equivalent currents in switching
−
phases 1 and 2 are on the left sides of equations, and
q 1 (kTs + DTs ) = C[v1 (kTs + DTs ) − v 2 (kTs− )], z is the well-known operator of the z transform, with z
−
= exp(sTs).
q 2 (kTs + Ts ) = C[v 2 (kTs + Ts ) − v1 (kTs + DTs− )] .
The behavioral model of the capacitor in Fig. 2 for
Here q1 (q2) are the differences of electric charge on switching phases 1 and 2 is made up on the basis of
the capacitor within the time intervals from the ends of Eqs. (2). This model can be directly implemented as a
switching phases 2 to the ends of switching phases 1 Spice subcircuit. The controlled sources in the model
(from the ends of switching phases 1 to the ends of may be implemented via Laplace sources, utilizing the
switching phases 2). The superscripts – denote the left- above substitution z = exp(sTs). The model is valid
side limits of the corresponding circuit variables. both for the switched and the “fixed” capacitor.
 phase 1 phase 2 400kHz with a quality factor of 10. The S-H circuit at
the input samples the signal in phases 1 and holds them
Iˆ1 Iˆ 2 during the whole switching periods.
in
1 1
IˆR2 z − D IˆR1 z − D ′
8.50pF 2
S-H 2
Ts Ts
C C 2pF
20pF HP
20.47pF
IˆR1 V̂ 1 IˆR2 V̂ 2
2 20.47pF 50.17pF
1

Iˆ1 Iˆ 2
1 2

BP
Fig. 2: AC model of the capacitor in SC circuit.

10pF
3 Modeling of other circuit elements in
SC circuits Fig. 3: Switched-capacitor biquad [10].

Capacitors, ideal switches, and ideal voltage-controlled

voltage sources (VCVSs) for the modeling of voltage AC=1 8.50p
amplifiers including OpAmps are typical circuit in1
20p
elements in idealized SC circuits. The VCVSs
represent only the non-inertial transformation of gate 2p
voltages. That is why the mathematical model of 20.47p 50.17p
VCVS can be used independently in both switching HP1
phases.
BP1
Modeling of other circuit elements beyond the 20.47p
frame of idealized SC circuits can be problematic in
Spice-compatible programs. For example, resistors for
modeling nonzero on-resistances of switches introduce
10p phase 1
considerable time constants of transient phenomena.
Then the voltage drops on them at the ends of phase 2
switching phases cannot be neglected as is the case in V(in2)=V(in1)*exp(-s*d/fs)
the circuit in Fig. 1 (a). However, these voltages do not in2
depend on average currents in Eqs. (1) and (2), but on
the currents at the ends of switching phases.. The
relation between averaged and instantaneous currents HP2
depends on the type of transient phenomenon and thus
on the total circuit configuration. As a result, the
BP2
switch equations would depend not only on this switch,
but also on the remaining parts of the circuit. This
involvement can be satisfactorily solved in Spice only
by trade-off modeling. A similar problem appears, for
example, when modeling the frequency-dependent gain
.param fs=6meg d=0.5
of the operational amplifier. Details can be found in
[9]. Fig. 4: Spice modeling of filter from Fig. 3 for
subsequent AC analysis.
4 Demonstration of AC analysis
Consider the switched-capacitor biquad in Fig. 3 A demonstration of the filter model in the schematic
according to [10]. This filter is designed for a editor of Spice-compatible program Micro-Cap 9 is
switching frequency of 6MHz. Its center frequency is shown in Fig. 4. The schematic symbols of capacitors
are duplicated for both switching phases, representing 5 Conclusions
Spice subcircuits which model equations (2) on the
basis of the substitution diagram in Fig. 2. In order to The paper describes a modification of the method of
make the circuit creation more comfortable, the charge equations for modeling idealized two-phase
schematic symbol of the ideal OpAmp is also switched-capacitor circuits. The above modification is
duplicated. The Opamp is modeled by an ideal VCVS based on the theory of equivalent signals and on the
with adequately large voltage gain. The influence of S- transformation of charge equations into current
H circuit is modeled by the voltage source, connected equations. The switched capacitor is then described by
to the node “in2”. gate voltages and averaged gate currents, which is the
first assumption of successful implementation in
The AC analysis results in Fig. 5 fully correspond SPICE-compatible programs. Each capacitor in the
to the results in [10]. circuit is represented by a pair of models for switching
phases 1 and 2. The graphic representation of such
30
models, the double schematic symbol, facilitates
making up the model of switched-capacitor circuit in
20 the schematic editor.

10 In principle, an extension of this method to circuits

with multi-phase switching is possible. However, it
would pose some practical problems in the
0
environment of most Spice-compatible programs. A
trade-off Spice analysis should be also applied for real
-10 switched-capacitor circuits [8].

-20

Acknowledgment
-30
This work is supported by the Grant Agency of the
Czech Republic under grants No. 102/05/0771 and
-40
10K 100K 1M 3M 102/05/0277, and by the research programmes of BUT
db(v(HP1)) db(v(BP)) db(v(HP2)) db(v(BP2)) MSM0021630503, MSM0021630513, and UD Brno
F (Hz)
MO FVT0000403.
120

0
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