Analogue-to-digital converter and method for converting an analogue input signal into a digital information

An analog-to-digital converter, comprising:

• means for comparing an analog input signal with an upper bound and a lower bound of a level window to produce a comparison result;
• means for adjusting a position of the level window based on information derived from the comparison result and indicating, whether the level window should be increased, decreased or maintained;
• and
• means for outputting digital information based on the comparison result,
• wherein the means for adjusting the position of the level window comprises means for storing a charge, and means for providing a current for charging the means for storing a charge, for discharging the means for storing a charge or for leaving the charge of the means for storing a charge unchanged, in dependence on the comparison result;
• wherein the voltage of the means for storing a charge determines the level bounds.

A method for converting an analog input signal into digital information, the method comprising:

• comparing the analog input signal with an upper bound and a lower bound of a level window to produce a comparison result;
• adjusting a position of the level window based on the comparison result;
• and
• outputting the digital information based on the comparison result,
• wherein adjusting the position of the level window comprises providing, using a controlled current source, a current for charging a capacitor, for discharging the capacitor or for leaving the charge of the capacitor unchanged, in dependence on the comparison result,
• performing an analog integration of the current provided by the controlled current source, and
• wherein the position of the level window is adjusted in dependence on the voltage of the capacitor, and
• wherein outputting the digital information comprises counting up and down in dependence on the comparison result and outputting a count value as the digital information.

An analog-to-digital converter, comprising:

• means for comparing an analog input signal with an upper bound and a lower bound of level window to produce a comparison result;
• means for adjusting a position of the level window based on information derived from the comparison result and indicating, whether the level window should be increased, decreased or maintained;
• means for outputting digital information based on the comparison result;
• and
• means for recovering a clock signal being based on a data rate of data symbols comprised in the analog input signal,
• wherein a frequency of the recovered clock signal is at least by a factor of 2 higher than the data rate,
• wherein the means for adjusting the position of the level window comprises means for adjusting the position of the level window in response to the recovered clock signal, and
• wherein the means for outputting the digital information comprises means for updating the digital information in response to the recovered clock signal.

An analog-to-digital converter, comprising:

• a window-comparator comprising an input for an analog input signal and an output for a comparison result indicating a result of a comparison of the analog input signal with an upper bound and a lower bound of a level window;
• a level window position signal generator comprising an output for a level window position signal adjusting a position of the level window based on information derived from the comparison result and indicating whether the level window should be increased, decreased or maintained;
• a counter;
• and
• an output for digital information based on the comparison result;
• wherein the level window position for signal generator comprises an analog integrator configured to perform an analog integration of a signal being dependent on the comparison result to obtain, as a result of the integration, the level window position signal in the form of an analog signal;
• and
• wherein the counter comprises a count-up/count-down control input coupled, directly or via a control logic, to the output for the comparison result, and a counter state interface for the digital information.