Programmable analog array and method for establishing a feedback loop therein
First Claim
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1. A programmable analog array, comprising:
- an array of cells, a plurality of cells in the array of cells including analog circuitry which is configurable as a plurality of circuit functions and digital circuitry which converts an analog signal received from the analog circuitry into digital information;
a local feedback loop established within the array of cells the local feedback loop reconfiguring the analog circuitry in accordance with the digital information;
interconnection circuitry coupled to the array of cells, wherein the interconnection circuitry enables interconnection of different cells in the array of cells; and
an accessing circuit, wherein the accessing circuit selectively accesses a first cell of the plurality of cells, transmits cell configuration data to the first cell to internally configure the first cell as one of the plurality of circuit functions, and transmits interconnection data to the interconnection circuitry.
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Abstract
A programmable analog array (10) comprises an array of configurable cells (11), each cell (11) including analog circuitry (12) and digital circuitry (14). The cells (11) are configured for a particular functional application. The digital circuitry (14) converts an analog signal generated by the analog circuitry (12) into digital control information, which is then used to adjust the analog circuitry (12). Therefore, the analog circuitry (12) and the digital circuitry (14) form a digital feedback loop. The digital feedback loop is established either within a single cell or among neighboring cells. Thus, the digital feedback loop is established without using a global data bus.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A programmable analog array, comprising:
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an array of cells, a plurality of cells in the array of cells including analog circuitry which is configurable as a plurality of circuit functions and digital circuitry which converts an analog signal received from the analog circuitry into digital information; a local feedback loop established within the array of cells the local feedback loop reconfiguring the analog circuitry in accordance with the digital information; interconnection circuitry coupled to the array of cells, wherein the interconnection circuitry enables interconnection of different cells in the array of cells; and an accessing circuit, wherein the accessing circuit selectively accesses a first cell of the plurality of cells, transmits cell configuration data to the first cell to internally configure the first cell as one of the plurality of circuit functions, and transmits interconnection data to the interconnection circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A programmable analog array, comprising:
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an array of cells, a plurality of cells in the array of cells including; analog circuitry with variable connections and variable component values; digital circuitry; a memory unit for storing cell configuration data; and switch circuitry, wherein the switch circuitry configures the analog circuitry and the digital circuitry in accordance with the cell configuration data; interconnection circuitry coupled to the array of cells, wherein the interconnection circuitry enables an interconnection of a cell in the array of cells with at least one other cell in the array of cells; a local feedback loop established between said analog circuitry and said digital circuitry within the array of cells; and an accessing circuit coupled to the interconnection circuitry, wherein the accessing circuit selectively accesses said cell in the array of cells, transmits the cell configuration data to the cell to internally configure the cell as one of the plurality of circuit functions, and transmits interconnection data to the interconnection circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for establishing a feedback loop, comprising the steps of:
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forming an array of cells; forming analog circuitry in first cells in the array of cells; forming digital circuitry in second cells in the array of cells; configuring the analog circuitry and the digital circuitry in a first selected cell and a second selected cell in the array of cells, respectively, generating an analog signal in the analog circuitry in the first selected cell; transmitting the analog signal directly to the digital circuitry in the second selected cell; generating digital control information using the analog signal; transmitting the digital control information directly to the analog circuitry in the first selected cell; and altering variable connections and adjusting component values of the analog circuitry in the first selected cell in accordance with the digital control information. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification