Methods and Apparatus for Look-Ahead Block Processing in Predictive Delta-Sigma Modulators

A predictive delta-sigma modulator for quantizing an input signal, comprising:

• a look-ahead processing block for generating error prediction values for a current block of input values based on a linear combination of error prediction values from one or more previous blocks, input values of one or more previous blocks, quantized values of one or more previous blocks and said current block of input values, wherein said look-ahead processing block computes speculative error prediction values for at least one input value in said current block, wherein said speculative error prediction values are computed for a plurality of possible quantizer output values;
• at least one multiplexer for selecting one of said speculative error prediction values based on a quantized value from said current block;
• and
• at least one quantizer for subtracting said error prediction values for said current block from said corresponding current block of input values.

An integrated circuit, comprising:

• a predictive delta-sigma modulator for quantizing an input signal, comprising:
• a look-ahead processing block for generating error prediction values for a current block of input values based on a linear combination of error prediction values from one or more previous blocks, input values of one or more previous blocks, quantized values of one or more previous blocks and said current block of input values, wherein said look-ahead processing block computes speculative error prediction values for at least one input value in said current block, wherein said speculative error prediction values are computed for a plurality of possible quantizer output values;
• at least one multiplexer for selecting one of said speculative error prediction values based on a quantized value from said current block;
• and
• at least one quantizer for subtracting said error prediction values for said current block from said corresponding current block of input values.