Variable accuracy pipeline ADC for WLAN communications devices
AssigneeAdvanced Micro Devices, Inc.
InventorsMeei-Ling Chiang, Boon-Aik Ang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pipeline ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) unit is provided that has a first and a second multi-stage portion. The first multi-stage portion has a first plurality of converter stages for converting a first analog signal to a first digital signal having a first digital resolution. The second portion has a second plurality of converter stages to convert a second analog signal to a second digital signal having a second digital resolution. The second plurality includes the first plurality. The pipeline ADC unit selectively uses either the first plurality of stages alone, or the second plurality. The pipeline ADC unit may be used in a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) communication device.
Claims34
A pipeline ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) unit for use in a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) communication device, comprising:
- a first multi-stage portion comprising a first plurality of converter stages adapted to convert a first analog signal to a first digital signal having a first digital resolution;
- a second multi-stage portion comprising a second plurality of converter stages adapted to convert a second analog signal to a second digital signal having a second digital resolution;
- wherein said second plurality of converter stages comprises said first plurality of converter stages, and
- wherein said pipeline ADC unit is adapted to selectively use either said first plurality of converter stages alone, or said second plurality of converter stages.
A WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) communication device comprising a pipeline ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) unit comprising:
- a first multi-stage portion comprising a first plurality of converter stages adapted to convert a first analog signal to a first digital signal having a first digital resolution;
- a second multi-stage portion comprising a second plurality of converter stages adapted to convert a second analog signal to a second digital signal having a second digital resolution;
- wherein said second plurality of converter stages comprises said first plurality of converter stages, and
- wherein said pipeline ADC unit is adapted to selectively use either said first plurality of converter stages alone, or said second plurality of converter stages.
An integrated circuit chip having pipeline ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) circuitry comprising:
- a first multi-stage circuit comprising a first plurality of converter stages adapted to convert a first analog signal to a first digital signal having a first digital resolution;
- a second multi-stage circuit comprising a second plurality of converter stages adapted to convert a second analog signal to a second digital signal having a second digital resolution;
- wherein said second plurality of converter stages comprises said first plurality of converter stages, and
- wherein said pipeline ADC circuitry is adapted to selectively use either said first plurality of converter stages alone, or said second plurality of converter stages.
A method of operating a pipeline ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) unit having a first multi-stage portion comprising a first plurality of converter stages adapted to convert a first analog signal to a first digital signal having a first digital resolution, and a second multi-stage portion comprising a second plurality of converter stages adapted to convert a second analog signal to a second digital signal having a second digital resolution, wherein said second plurality of converter stages comprises said first plurality of converter stages, the method comprising:
- determining an operational mode to be used by said pipeline ADC unit;
- and
- selectively using either said first plurality of converter stages alone, or said second plurality of converter stages, depending on the determined operational mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.