Programmable dynamic range receiver with adjustable dynamic range analog to digital converter

Abstract

A programmable dynamic range receiver which provides the requisite level of performance at reduced power consumption. The .SIGMA..DELTA. ADC within the receiver is designed with one or more loops. Each loop provides a predetermined dynamic range performance. The loops can be enabled or disabled based on the required dynamic range and a set of dynamic range thresholds. The .SIGMA..DELTA. ADC is also designed with adjustable bias current. The dynamic range of the .SIGMA..DELTA. ADC varies approximately proportional to the bias current. By adjusting the bias current, the required dynamic range can be provided by the .SIGMA..DELTA. ADC with minimal power consumption. A reference voltage of the .SIGMA..DELTA. ADC can be descreased when high dynamic range is not required, thereby allowing for less bias current in the .SIGMA..DELTA. ADC and supporting circuitry. The dynamic range of the .SIGMA..DELTA. ADC is a also function of the oversampling ratio which is proportional to the sampling frequency. High dynamic range requires a high oversampling ratio. When high dynamic range is not required, the sampling frequency can be lowered.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.