Analog to digital conversion circuitry including backup conversion circuitry

An analog to digital conversion system configured to convert an analog signal, comprising:

• a main analog to digital converter;
• an estimation digital to analog converter, the estimation digital to analog converter providing an estimation signal that is a function of the analog signal, an input to the main analog to digital converter being a function of the estimation signal;
• and
• a backup analog to digital converter.

A method for analog to digital conversion, comprising:

• estimating an analog input;
• providing an amplified signal that is a function of the analog input signal and the estimate of the analog input;
• converting the amplified signal to produce a first conversion result;
• and
• providing a backup conversion path to produce a second conversion result.

A method for analog to digital conversion, comprising:

• estimating an analog signal to provide an estimation signal;
• generating a signal that is a function of the analog input signal and the estimate of the analog input;
• utilizing the signal when generating a main conversion result;
• and
• generating a backup conversion result.

An analog to digital conversion system, comprising:

• an analog input node and a digital output node;
• a preamplifier;
• a first analog to digital converter, the preamplifier provided in a signal path between the analog input node and the first analog to digital converter, and the first analog to digital converter provided in a signal path between the preamplifier and the digital output node;
• an estimation signal related to an analog signal to be converted by the analog to digital conversion system, an amplified signal of the preamplifier being related to the analog signal and the estimation signal;
• and
• a backup analog to digital conversion path coupled to the analog input node, the backup analog to digital conversion path providing a backup digital output.

An analog to digital conversion system, comprising:

• an analog input node receiving an analog input signal and a digital output node;
• an estimation signal;
• a preamplifier;
• a first analog to digital converter coupled to the preamplifier, an input to the first analog to digital converter being related to a difference between the analog input signal and the estimation signal;
• and
• a backup analog to digital converter, the backup analog to digital converter coupled between the analog input node and a backup digital output node.

A method of converting an analog signal to a digital signal, comprising:

• providing the analog signal at an analog input node;
• providing an estimation signal, the estimation signal being an estimate of the analog signal;
• generating an amplified signal with a preamplifier, the amplified signal being related to a difference between the analog signal and the estimation signal;
• utilizing the amplified signal to provide an input to an analog to digital converter;
• and
• selectively providing a backup digital output signal, the backup digital output signal providing a digital output related to the analog signal.

A method of converting an analog signal to a digital signal, comprising:

• providing the analog signal at an analog input node;
• utilizing main estimation conversion circuitry to provide a first digital output signal, the main estimation conversion circuitry including an amplified version of a difference between the analog signal and an estimation signal, the estimation signal being an estimate of the analog signal;
• and
• utilizing backup conversion circuitry to provide a backup digital output signal.