Multi level comparator for demodulator

• US 6,173,018 B1
• Filed: 11/20/1997
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kuroki, Shouichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Don N.
• Application Number:
  US08/974,879
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• Field of Search: 375/261, 375/316, 375/344, 375/287, 329/306, 329/310, 455/296, 455/334, 340/825
• US Class Current: 375/317
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/062 Setting decision thresholds using feedforward techniques only
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/063 Setting decision thresholds using feedback techniques only
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/4917 using multilevel codes

Abstract

In a demodulator circuit including a multi-level comparator, the demodulator circuit obtaining output data through comparison, made in a four-level comparator and a NRZ comparator, of a signal obtained by subjecting a received signal to a process of detection and predetermined threshold levels, comprises a level detector circuit for detecting the level of the received signal transmitted through the process of detection and a control circuit for controlling relative magnitudes of the level detected in the level detector circuit of the signal transmitted through the process of detection and the predetermined threshold levels for the four-level comparator and the NRZ comparator, whereby stabilized output data conforming to changes in the level of the detected output are made obtainable.

Claims

1. In a demodulator circuit for obtaining output data through comparison, made in a multi-level comparator, of a signal obtained by subjecting a received signal to a process of detection in a detector circuit and predetermined threshold levels, a control circuit of threshold levels for said multi-level comparator in said demodulator circuit comprising:

a level detector circuit for detecting the level of said received signal transmitted through the process of detection; and

a control circuit for controlling relative magnitudes of the level detected in said level detector circuit of the signal transmitted through the process of detection and the predetermined threshold levels for said multi-level comparator, wherein at least one of the predetermined threshold levels controlled by said control circuit is used for applying feedback control to the detector circuit to handle deviations in an input frequency (IF).

2. A control circuit of threshold levels for a multi-level comparator in a demodulator circuit according to claim 1, wherein

said control circuit sets the predetermined threshold levels for said multi-level comparator on the basis of the level detected in said level detector circuit of the signal transmitted through the process of detection.

3. A control circuit of threshold levels for a multi-level comparator in a demodulator circuit according to claim 1, wherein

said control circuit controls the gain in said detector circuit on the basis of the level detected in said level detector circuit of the signal transmitted through the process of detection.

4. A control circuit of threshold levels for a multi-level comparator in a demodulator circuit according to claim 1, wherein said level detector circuit is configured to have a high impedance, thereby improving antinoise characteristics.

5. In a demodulator circuit for obtaining output data through comparison, made in a multi-level comparator, of a received signal and predetermined threshold levels, a control circuit of threshold levels for said multi-level comparator in said demodulator circuit comprising:

a detector circuit for applying a process of detection to said received signal;

a level detector circuit for detecting the level of the signal transmitted through the process of detection in said detector circuit; and

a control circuit for controlling relative magnitudes of the level detected in said level detector circuit of the signal transmitted through the process of detection and the predetermined threshold levels for said multi-level comparator, wherein at least one of the predetermined threshold levels controlled by said control circuit is used for applying feedback control to the detector circuit to handle deviations in an input frequency (IF).

6. A control circuit of threshold levels for a multi-level comparator in a demodulator circuit according to claim 5, wherein

said control circuit sets the predetermined threshold levels for said multi-level comparator on the basis of the level detected in said level detector circuit of the signal transmitted through the process of detection.

7. A control circuit of threshold levels for a multi-level comparator in a demodulator circuit according to claim 5, wherein

said control circuit controls the gain in said detector circuit on the basis of the level detected in said level detector circuit of the signal transmitted through the process of detection.

8. A control circuit of threshold levels for a multi-level comparator in a demodulator circuit according to claim 5, wherein

said level detector circuit includes a peak-hold circuit.

9. A control circuit of threshold levels for a multi-level comparator in a demodulator circuit according to claim 8, wherein

said peak-hold circuit holds the peak value and the bottom value and provides a signal compounded of the peak value and the bottom value.

10. A control circuit of threshold levels for a multi-level comparator in a demodulator circuit according to claim 5, wherein said level detector circuit is configured to have a high impedance, thereby improving antinoise characteristics.