Method and system for powering down an analog-to-digital converter into a sleep mode

A serial interface controller for an analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) having a digital system and an analog system wherein the serial interface controller allows a serial device to be coupled to the ADC and the serial interface controller controls the ADC in a normal mode or a sleep mode, comprising:

• a state machine having components coupled together in a manner to provide serial interface control operations which include:
• in response to the ADC receiving a normal set of serial clock pulses the serial interface controller outputs converted data requested by a user through a serial interface;
• in response to the ADC receiving a sleep set of serial clock pulses the state machine powers down the ADC into a sleep mode in which at least parts of the ADC are operated at a reduced power consumption level;
• and
• in response to the ADC being in the sleep mode and the ADC receiving a wake-up set of serial clock pulses, the state machine powers up the ADC from the sleep mode;
• and
• wherein a serial clock signal of the ADC provides either the normal set of serial clock pulses, the sleep set of serial clock pulses, or the wake-up set of serial clock pulses and the state machine distinguishes which one of the three sets of serial clock pulses is being provided by the serial clock signal.

An analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) for converting analog signals to digital signals, comprising:

• an analog system having a modulator for processing and converting analog signals to digital signals;
• and
• a digital system coupled to the analog system wherein the digital system processes and outputs the digital signals;
• wherein the digital system has a digital logic system, a clock generator, a filter, and a serial port block coupled to each other wherein the serial port block further comprises a serial data interface with a serial interface controller which allows a serial device to be coupled to the ADC and the serial interface controller controls the ADC in a normal mode or a sleep mode, and
• wherein the serial interface controller comprises a state machine having components coupled together in a manner to provide serial interface control operations which include:
• in response to the ADC receiving a normal set of serial clock pulses, the serial interface controller outputs converted data requested by a user through a serial interface;
• in response to the ADC receiving a sleep set of serial clock pulses, the state machine powers down the ADC into a sleep mode in which at least parts of the ADC are operated at a reduced power consumption level;
• and
• in response to the ADC being in the sleep mode and the ADC receiving a wake-up set of serial clock pulses, the state machine powers up the ADC from the sleep mode;
• and
• wherein a serial clock signal of the ADC provides either the normal set of serial clock pulses, the sleep set of serial clock pulses, or the wake-us set of serial clock pulses and the state machine distinguishes which one of the three sets of serial clock pulses is being provided by the serial clock signal.

A method of utilizing a serial clock signal for controlling an analog-to-digital converter between a normal operational mode and a sleep mode, comprising the steps of:

• sending a sleep clock signal to indicate an analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) to power down into a sleep mode;
• when the ADC is in the sleep mode, sending a wake up signal to indicate the ADC to power up from the sleep mode;
• and
• sending a normal clock signal to indicate the ADC to convert and output data in a normal operational mode;
• and
• wherein a serial clock signal provides either the sleep clock signal, the wake up signal, or the normal clock signal.