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US 6,661,362 B2Granted
Methods and systems for high speed quantizers
AssigneeBroadcom Corporation
InventorTodd Lee Brooks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems for improved feedback processing in delta-sigma modulators, including single bit and multi-bit delta-sigma modulators, continuous-time and discrete-time delta-sigma modulators, and digital and/or analog feedback loops. One or more processes are performed in a pipeline having a higher throughput rate than a throughput rate of a delta-sigma modulator. Any of a variety of processes and combinations of processes can be performed in the pipeline including, without limitation, quantization, digital signal processing, and/or feedback digital-to-analog conversion.
Claims43
A method for performing feedback processing in analog delta-sigma modulators, comprising the steps of:
- (1) receiving a discrete-time analog signal having a first throughput rate from a first path of a delta-sigma modulator;
- (2) converting the received discrete-time analog signal to a first digital signal having the first throughput rate;
- (3) digitally processing the first digital signal in a pipeline at a second throughput rate that is higher than the first throughput rate, whereby samples of the first digital signal sequentially pass through a plurality of stages of the pipeline at the second throughput rate;
- (4) generating a discrete-time analog feedback signal having the first throughput rate, representative of at least a portion of the digitally processed first digital signal, whereby the discrete-time analog feedback signal is delayed in time relative to the received discrete-time analog signal;
- (5) providing the discrete-time analog feedback signal to a second path of the delta-sigma modulator;
- and
- (6) generating a second digital signal representative of the received discrete-time analog signal, whereby the second digital signal is an output signal of the analog delta-sigma modulator.
4 more elements
A method for performing feedback processing in analog delta-sigma modulators, comprising the steps of:
- (1) receiving a discrete-time analog signal having a first throughput rate from a first path of a delta-sigma modulator;
- (2) converting the received discrete-time analog signal to a first digital signal having a second throughput rate that is higher than the first throughput rate;
- (3) generating a discrete-time analog feedback signal having the first throughput rate, representative of at least a portion of the first digital signal, whereby the discrete-time analog feedback signal is delayed in time relative to the received discrete-time analog signal;
- (4) providing the discrete-time analog feedback signal to a second path of the delta-sigma modulator;
- and
- (5) generating a second digital signal representative of the received discrete-time analog signal, whereby the second digital signal is an output signal of the analog delta-sigma modulator.
3 more elements
A method for performing feedback processing in delta-sigma modulators, comprising the steps of:
- (1) receiving a continuous-time analog signal from a first path of an analog delta-sigma modulator;
- (2) converting the continuous-time analog signal to a first digital signal having the first throughput rate;
- (3) digitally processing the first digital signal in a pipeline at a second throughput rate that is higher than the first throughput rate, whereby samples of the first digital signal sequentially pass through a plurality of stages of the pipeline at the second throughput rate;
- (4) generating a continuous-time analog feedback signal having the first throughput rate, representative of at least a portion of the digitally processed first digital signal, whereby the continuous-time analog feedback signal is delayed in time relative to the received continuous-time analog signal;
- (5) providing the continuous-time analog feedback signal to a second path of the analog delta-sigma modulator;
- and
- (6) generating a second digital signal representative of the received continuous-time analog signal, whereby the second digital signal is an output signal of the analog delta-sigma modulator.
4 more elements
A system for performing feedback processing in analog delta-sigma modulators, comprising:
- means for receiving a discrete-time analog signal having a first throughput rate from a first path of a delta-sigma modulator;
- means for converting the received discrete-time analog signal to a first digital signal having the first throughput rate;
- means for digitally processing the first digital signal in a pipeline at a second throughput rate that is higher than the first throughput rate, whereby samples of the first digital signal sequentially pass through a plurality of stages of the pipeline at the second throughput rate;
- means for generating a discrete-time analog feedback signal having the first throughput rate, representative of at least a portion of the digitally processed first digital signal, whereby the discrete-time analog feedback signal is delayed in time relative to the received discrete-time analog signal;
- means for providing the discrete-time analog feedback signal to a second path of the delta-sigma modulator;
- and
- means for generating a second digital signal representative of the received discrete-time analog signal, whereby the second digital signal is an output signal of the analog delta-sigma modulator.
4 more elements
A system for performing feedback processing in analog delta-sigma modulators, comprising:
- means for receiving a discrete-time analog signal having a first throughput rate from a first path of a delta-sigma modulator;
- means for converting the received discrete-time analog signal to a first digital signal having a second throughput rate that is higher than the first throughput rate;
- means for generating a discrete-time analog feedback signal having the first throughput rate, representative of at least a portion of the first digital signal, whereby the discrete-time analog feedback signal is delayed in time relative to the received discrete-time analog signal;
- means for providing the discrete-time analog feedback signal to a second path of the delta-sigma modulator;
- and
- means for generating a second digital signal representative of the received discrete-time analog signal, whereby the second digital signal is an output signal of the analog delta-sigma modulator.
3 more elements
A system for performing feedback processing in delta-sigma modulators, comprising:
- means for receiving a continuous-time analog signal from a first path of an analog delta-sigma modulator;
- means for converting the continuous-time analog signal to a first digital signal having the first throughput rate;
- means for digitally processing the first digital signal in a pipeline at a second throughput rate that is higher than the first throughput rate, whereby samples of the first digital signal sequentially pass through a plurality of stages of the pipeline at the second throughput rate;
- means for generating a continuous-time analog feedback signal having the first throughput rate, representative of at least a portion of the digitally processed first digital signal, whereby the continuous-time analog feedback signal is delayed in time relative to the received continuous-time analog signal;
- means for providing the continuous-time analog feedback signal to a second path of the analog delta-sigma modulator;
- and
- means for generating a second digital signal representative of the received continuous-time analog signal, whereby the second digital signal is an output signal of the analog delta-sigma modulator.
4 more elements
A system for performing feedback processing in an analog delta-sigma modulator having a first throughput rate, comprising:
- an analog-to-digital converter that operates at the first throughput rate, said analog-to-digital converter having an input coupled to a first path of the analog delta-sigma modulator;
- an over-sampler that over-samples at a second throughput rate that is higher than said first throughput rate, said over-sampler including an input coupled to an output of said analog-to-digital converter;
- a digital block that operates at the second throughput rate, said digital block including an input coupled to an output of said over-sampler;
- an under-sampler that operates at said first throughput rate, said under-sampler including an input coupled to an output of said digital block;
- a digital-to-analog converter that operates at said first throughput rate, said digital-to-analog converter coupled to an output of said under-sampler and an output coupled to a second path of said analog delta-sigma modulator;
- and
- means for generating a digital signal representative of an analog signal in the first path of the analog delta-sigma modulator, whereby the digital signal is an output signal of the analog delta-sigma modulator.
4 more elements
A system for performing feedback processing in an analog delta-sigma modulator having a first throughput rate, comprising:
- an analog-to-digital converter that operates at a second throughput rate that is higher than said first throughput rate, said analog-to-digital converter having an input coupled to a first path of the analog delta-sigma modulator;
- an under-sampler coupled to said analog-to-digital converter, said under-sampler operating at said first throughput rate;
- a digital-to-analog converter that operates at said first throughput rate, said digital-to-analog converter coupled to an output of said under-sampler, said digital-to-analog converter including an output coupled to a second path of said analog delta-sigma modulator;
- and
- means for generating a digital signal representative of an analog signal in the first path of the analog delta-sigma modulator, whereby the digital signal is an output signal of the analog delta-sigma modulator.
2 more elements
A system for performing feedback processing in a continuous-time analog delta-sigma modulator, comprising:
- means for receiving a continuous-time analog signal from a first path of an analog delta-sigma modulator;
- means for converting the continuous-time analog signal to a first digital signal having a first throughput rate;
- a digital pipeline coupled to an output of said means for converting, said digital pipeline operating at a second throughput rate that is higher than said first throughput rate;
- an under-sampler coupled to an output of said digital pipeline, said under-sampler operating at said first throughput rate;
- a digital-to-analog converter coupled to an output of said under-sampler, said digital-to-analog converter operating at said first throughput rate, said digital-to-analog converter having an output coupled to a second path of said analog delta-sigma modulator;
- and
- means for generating a second digital signal representative of the received continuous-time analog signal, whereby the second digital signal is an output signal of the analog delta-sigma modulator.
4 more elements
A system for performing feedback processing in a continuous-time analog delta-sigma modulator, comprising:
- means for receiving a continuous-time analog signal from a first path of an analog delta-sigma modulator;
- means for converting the continuous-time analog signal to a first digital signal having a first throughput rate;
- a digital pipeline coupled to an output of said means for converting, said digital pipeline operating at the first throughput rate;
- an under-sampler coupled to an output of said digital pipeline, said under-sampler operating at a second throughput rate that is lower than the first throughput rate;
- a digital-to-analog converter coupled to an output of said under-sampler, said digital-to-analog converter operating at the second throughput rate, said digital-to-analog converter having an output coupled to a second path of said analog delta-sigma modulator;
- and
- means for generating a second digital signal representative of the received continuous-time analog signal, whereby the second digital signal is an output signal of the analog delta-sigma modulator.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.