Simple improvement stage for low voltage WTA and Rank Order circuits

Abstract

A simple improvement to Lazzaro's Winner Take All (WTA) circuit is introduced. It allows lowering the voltage supply requirements so that it can be functional in fine line CMOS technology. A low voltage Rank Order Filter is derived from the WTA using current starving techniques. Electrical measurements of a prototype in CMOS 0.5µm technology verify the operation of the WTA circuit with V DD = 1.5V. Simulations in PSpice show the functionality of a Rank Order Circuit using the same principle.