Direct Sensing Platform based on Time Modulation Data Converters

The use of sensor readout circuits integrating high sensitivity analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) based on voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) has recently become a popular alternative to the conventional sensing approach. This alternative configuration demonstrates superior hardware efficiency through the elimination of the analog front-end (AFE) stage and reduced current consumption. However, they demonstrate inferior performance against PVT (process, voltage, temperature) variations, which undermines the sensing interfaces reliability under various environmental conditions. There are some research opportunities for long-term goal of an environment adaptive and linear ADCs that can provide higher resolutions. Besides, tackling issues such as PVT (process, voltage, temperature) effect and phase noise are also of interest since they help improve the SNR