Converter and method for converting an analog signal and comparator for use in such conversion
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A converter comprising:
- an input terminal receiving a first analog signal;
a digital-to-analog converter to provide second analog signals related to digital values applied to the digital-to-analog converter;
a comparator, receiving the first and second analog signals, the comparator comprising a variable-gain amplifier to provide an output signal based on a difference between the first and second analog signals;
a state machine receiving the output signal of the comparator and generating the digital values applied to the digital-to-analog converter based on the output signal of the comparator; and
a controller for selectively setting the gain of the variable-gain amplifier, wherein the variable-gain amplifier comprises a switch connected between a first and second output of the variable-gain amplifier.
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Abstract
A converter comprises an input terminal to receive a first analog signal, a digital-to-analog converter to provide second analog signals related to digital values applied to the digital-to-analog converter. A comparator is coupled to receive the first and second analog signals, the comparator also comprising a variable-gain amplifier to provide an output signal based on a difference between the first and second analog signals. A state machine receives the output signal of the comparator and to generate the digital values applied to the digital-to-analog converter based on the output signal of the comparator and a controller sets the gain of the variable-gain amplifier selectively.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A converter comprising:
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an input terminal receiving a first analog signal;
a digital-to-analog converter to provide second analog signals related to digital values applied to the digital-to-analog converter;a comparator, receiving the first and second analog signals, the comparator comprising a variable-gain amplifier to provide an output signal based on a difference between the first and second analog signals; a state machine receiving the output signal of the comparator and generating the digital values applied to the digital-to-analog converter based on the output signal of the comparator; and a controller for selectively setting the gain of the variable-gain amplifier, wherein the variable-gain amplifier comprises a switch connected between a first and second output of the variable-gain amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A converter comprising:
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an input terminal receiving a first analog signal;
a digital-to-analog converter to provide second analog signals related to digital values applied to the digital-to-analog converter;a comparator, receiving the first and second analog signals, the comparator comprising a variable-gain amplifier to provide an output signal based on a difference between the first and second analog signals; a state machine receiving the output signal of the comparator and generating the digital values applied to the digital-to-analog converter based on the output signal of the comparator; and a controller for selectively setting the gain of the variable-gain amplifier, wherein the comparator comprises a latch coupled between an output of the variable gain amplifier and an output of the comparator.
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11. A method for converting an analog input signal into a digital signal by successive approximation conversion comprising:
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for each cycle of the successive approximation, amplifying, with a selectively adjustable gain, a signal related to a difference between a first analog signal related to the analog input signal and a second analog signal related to a digital value predetermined for each cycle to provide an amplified difference signal; generating the predetermined digital value of the next cycle based on the amplified difference signal; controlling the selectively adjustable gain, such that the selectively adjustable gain is different for at least two successive cycles; and wherein each cycle of the successive approximation conversion is associated with a respective bit level to be determined and wherein the selectively adjustable gain is determined by the number of each cycle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A comparator for comparing an unknown first analog signal and second signals applied to the comparator based on digital values, the comparator comprising:
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a first input for receiving the unknown first analog signal; a second input for receiving the second signals; an amplifier for providing an output signal based on a difference between the first and second signals, the amplifier having an input for receiving a switching signal and being adapted to selectively switch from a first gain to a second gain based on the switching signal; a latching circuit to latch the output signal of the amplifier and to provide a comparator signal based on the output signal of the amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification