Patent ID: 6198311
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: G06G

Abstract:
A current sorter comprising:an input circuit unit having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, said plurality of inputs being adapted for receiving a plurality of input currents and said plurality of outputs being provided for outputting the received input currents;a winner-take-all (WTA) circuit unit receiving said plurality of input currents from said input circuit, for determining a maximum current among the received plurality of input currents, and generating a plurality of first voltage output signals respectively corresponding to the received plurality of input currents for indicating said maximum current;a feedback control and voltage output unit receiving a first clock signal and said plurality of first voltage output signals from said winner-take-all circuit unit, generating a plurality of feedback control signals according to said plurality of first voltage output signals in one operation cycle controlled by said first clock signal to control the outputs of said input circuit unit wherein a feedback control signal corresponding to the first voltage output signal indicating said maximum current is set inactive for guiding said input circuit unit to clear a corresponding input current, and converting said plurality of first voltage output signals to a plurality of second voltage output signals in said operation cycle wherein said first voltage output signals are voltage level signals and said second voltage output signals are voltage pulse signals; andan output circuit unit sequentially receiving said determined maximum current from said winner-take-all circuit unit under the control of a plurality of non-overlapped second clock signals whereby said plurality of input currents are present in order on a plurality of output terminals of said output circuit unit.