Measuring circuit and a method for determining a characteristic of the impedance of a complex impedance element for facilitating characterization of the impedance thereof
First Claim
1. A measuring circuit for determining a characteristic of the impedance of a complex impedance element for facilitating characterization of the impedance thereof, the measuring circuit being implemented on a single chip and comprising:
- a signal generating circuit for generating an analog stimulus signal of selectable frequency for applying to the complex impedance element, a first receiving circuit for receiving an analog response signal from the complex impedance element in response to the stimulus signal, and for outputting a first output signal indicative of the characteristic of the impedance of the complex impedance element for use in characterization of the impedance of the complex impedance element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A single chip integrated circuit measuring circuit (1) for determining a characteristic of the impedance of an external complex impedance circuit (2) for facilitating characterization of the impedance of the complex impedance circuit (2) comprises a signal generating circuit (7) for generating a variable frequency stimulus signal for applying to the complex impedance circuit (2). A first receiving circuit (10) receives a response signal from the complex impedance circuit (2) in response to the stimulus signal and conditions the response signal. A first analog-to-digital converter (68) converts the conditioned response signal to a first digital output signal, which is read from the first analog-to-digital converter (68) through a first digital output port (14). The response signal from the complex impedance circuit (2) is a current signal, and a current to voltage converter circuit (64) converts the response signal to a voltage signal. A first RMS to DC level converting circuit (70) converts the AC voltage of the response signal to a DC voltage level, and a fourth multiplexer (67) selectively applies the voltage response signal or the DC voltage level signal to the first analog-to-digital converter (68), depending on whether it is desired that the first digital output signal should be indicative of the phase shift or amplitude change in the response signal relative to the stimulus signal. A second receiving circuit (20) receives the stimulus signal, and similarly converts the stimulus signal to a second digital output signal for facilitating comparison of the response signal with the stimulus signal.
26 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A measuring circuit for determining a characteristic of the impedance of a complex impedance element for facilitating characterization of the impedance thereof, the measuring circuit being implemented on a single chip and comprising:
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a signal generating circuit for generating an analog stimulus signal of selectable frequency for applying to the complex impedance element, a first receiving circuit for receiving an analog response signal from the complex impedance element in response to the stimulus signal, and for outputting a first output signal indicative of the characteristic of the impedance of the complex impedance element for use in characterization of the impedance of the complex impedance element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for determining a characteristic of the impedance of a complex impedance element for facilitating characterization of the impedance thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a signal generating circuit on a single chip for generating an analog stimulus signal of selectable frequency for applying to the complex impedance element, providing a first receiving circuit on the single chip for receiving an analog response signal from the complex impedance element in response to the stimulus signal and for outputting a first output signal indicative of the characteristic of the impedance of the complex impedance element for use in characterization of the impedance of the complex impedance element, operating the signal generating circuit for applying the stimulus signal to the complex impedance element, applying an analog response signal from the complex impedance element, responsive to the stimulus signal, to the first receiving circuit, and operating the first receiving circuit for outputting the first output signal indicative of the characteristic of the impedance of the complex impedance element. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification