Isolator system supporting multiple ADCs via a single isolator channel
First Claim
1. An isolator system, comprising:
- a plurality of analog to digital converters (ADCs), wherein at least two ADCs have different conversion times,a signal combiner to merge outputs of the ADCs into a single data stream, anda signal isolator, bridging an isolation barrier, to carry the merged data stream from a first side of the isolation barrier to a second side of the isolation barrier.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In an isolation system, different analog to digital converters (“ADCs”) are provided on a first side of an isolation barrier. Outputs from the ADCs may be merged into a common data stream and communicated across the isolation barrier by a single isolation device. The ADCs may sample independent signals or may sample a common signal. When the ADCs sample a common signal, the system may monitor the input signal for fault conditions. During no fault operation, results of an analog-to-digital conversion may be communicated across an isolation barrier by an isolation device. During a fault condition, data representing the fault condition may replace the ADC data in communication across the isolation barrier. Fault conditions may be signaled by unique data patterns that can be distinguished from ADC data.
42 Citations
49 Claims
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1. An isolator system, comprising:
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a plurality of analog to digital converters (ADCs), wherein at least two ADCs have different conversion times, a signal combiner to merge outputs of the ADCs into a single data stream, and a signal isolator, bridging an isolation barrier, to carry the merged data stream from a first side of the isolation barrier to a second side of the isolation barrier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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16. A method, comprising:
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generating digital outputs from a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), including generating multi-bit outputs of different bit widths using at least two ADCs, merging the digital outputs from the ADCs into a single data stream, generating an isolator signaling pattern from the merged data stream, and transmitting the isolator signaling pattern across an isolation barrier. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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35. An isolator system, comprising:
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a plurality of analog to digital converters (ADCs), wherein at least two ADCs have different signal bandwidths, a signal combiner to merge outputs of the ADCs into a single data stream, and a signal isolator, bridging an isolation barrier, to carry the merged data stream from a first side of the isolation barrier to a second side of the isolation barrier. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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38. An isolator system, comprising:
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a plurality of analog to digital converters (ADCs), wherein at least two ADCs have different noise floors, a signal combiner to merge outputs of the ADCs into a single data stream, and a signal isolator, bridging an isolation barrier, to carry the merged data stream from a first side of the isolation barrier to a second side of the isolation barrier. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
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41. An isolator system, comprising:
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a plurality of analog to digital converters (ADCs), wherein at least two ADCs accept input signals having different spans, a signal combiner to merge outputs of the ADCs into a single data stream, and a signal isolator, bridging an isolation barrier, to carry the merged data stream from a first side of the isolation barrier to a second side of the isolation barrier. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. An isolator system, comprising:
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a plurality of analog to digital converters (ADCs), wherein at least two ADCs have different architectures, a signal combiner to merge outputs of the ADCs into a single data stream, and a signal isolator, bridging an isolation barrier, to carry the merged data stream from a first side of the isolation barrier to a second side of the isolation barrier. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49)
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Specification