Time-based delay line analog comparator
First Claim
1. A voltage comparator, comprising:
- a first input configured to receive a first analog voltage;
a second input configured to receive a second analog voltage;
a first digital delay line configured to propagate a digital input signal through a first delay circuit and the digital input signal through a second delay circuit; and
an output circuit configured to provide a comparator output based upon whether the digital input signal propagated faster through the first or second delay circuit, the comparator output configured to identify whether the first analog voltage or the second analog voltage is greater,wherein the voltage comparator further includes a voltage to current converter circuit; and
the first digital delay line is further configured to propagate the digital input signal after the first analog voltage is converted to a first current and the second analog voltage is converted to a second current wherein the first current drives the first delay circuit and the second current drives the second delay circuit.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure include voltage comparators. The voltage comparators may include a first input configured to receive a first analog voltage, a second input configured to receive a second analog voltage, a first digital delay line configured to propagate the first analog voltage through a first delay circuit and the second analog voltage through a second circuit, and an output circuit configured to provide a comparator output based upon whether values representing the first analog voltage or the second analog voltage propagated faster through the first digital delay line. The comparator output may be configured to identify whether the first analog voltage or the second analog voltage is greater.
23 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A voltage comparator, comprising:
-
a first input configured to receive a first analog voltage; a second input configured to receive a second analog voltage; a first digital delay line configured to propagate a digital input signal through a first delay circuit and the digital input signal through a second delay circuit; and an output circuit configured to provide a comparator output based upon whether the digital input signal propagated faster through the first or second delay circuit, the comparator output configured to identify whether the first analog voltage or the second analog voltage is greater, wherein the voltage comparator further includes a voltage to current converter circuit; and the first digital delay line is further configured to propagate the digital input signal after the first analog voltage is converted to a first current and the second analog voltage is converted to a second current wherein the first current drives the first delay circuit and the second current drives the second delay circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A microcontroller, comprising:
a plurality of voltage comparators, wherein a first voltage comparator comprises; a first input configured to receive a first analog voltage; a second input configured to receive a second analog voltage; a first digital delay line configured to propagate voltage digital input signal through a first delay circuit and the digital input signal through a second delay circuit; and an output circuit configured to provide a comparator output based upon whether the digital input signal propagated faster through the first or second delay circuit, the comparator output configured to identify whether the first analog voltage or the second analog voltage is greater, wherein the voltage comparator further includes a voltage to current converter circuit; and the first digital delay line is further configured to propagate the digital input signal after the first analog voltage is converted to a first current and the second analog voltage is converted to a second current wherein the first current drives the first delay circuit and the second current drives the second delay circuit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification