Multi-channel A/D converter and system using the same

A signal processing apparatus comprising:

• an A/D converter which comprises a programmable memory on which a channel selection order is recorded, a channel selection unit which selects individual channels according to the channel selection order recorded in the programmable memory, a converting unit which converts an analog signal of the selected channel into digital data of the selected channel, and a storage unit which stores the converted digital data;
• and
• a digital signal processor which reads the stored digital data stored in the storage unit, processes the data, and outputs a predetermined signal wherein:
• a synchronization signal generator generates a synchronization signal at each cycle of an A/D clock when in an automatic A/D clock mode;
• and, generates a corresponding synchronization signal at each slot, with each slot corresponding to an integer multiple of a system clock, when in an automatic slot mode.

A method of changing sampling rates of channels of having analog signals converted into digital signals using multi-channel Analog/Digital (A/D) converter, the method comprising:

• obtaining a first channel selection order having first sampling rates for the channels;
• and
• reprogramming a programmable memory of the A/D converter so as to replace a stored second channel selection order having second sampling rates for the channels with the first channel selection order,
• wherein the programmable memory remains in the A/D converter during the reprogramming of the programmable memory and is accessible by a channel selection unit, which uses the stored channel selection order to select individual channels such that a converting unit uses the selected channel to convert an analog signal of the selected channel into digital data for the selected channel.