US 7,609,185 B2 · Methods of using predictive analog to digital converters

Abstract

Methods are disclosed for performing analog to digital signal conversion in shorter time and/or with less power consumption. A predictive guess is supplied as a digital first signal. The digital first signal is converted (D/A) to a counterpart, analog guess signal. A comparison is made between the analog guess signal and a received, analog input sample signal. The result of the comparison is used to improve on the initially supplied guess in a next cycle. Fewer cycles and less power is consumed if the initial guess is within a certain range of the actual magnitude of the analog input sample signal.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method of advancing a guessed magnitude towards convergence with an actual magnitude of a physical attribute based on comparison of the guessed magnitude against the actual magnitude, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a signal representing an initial guessed magnitude;
(b) first determining from comparison of the initial guessed magnitude against the actual magnitude, if the initial guessed magnitude is above the actual magnitude or not;
(c) if said first determining indicates that the initial guessed magnitude is above, first changing the guessed magnitude by decrementing the guessed magnitude by a first step amount;
and
(d) if said first determining indicates that the initial guessed magnitude is not above, first changing the guessed magnitude by incrementing the guessed magnitude by a second step amount.

2 more elements

A method of reducing difference between a guessed magnitude and an actual magnitude of a physical attribute, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a first digital guess signal representing an initial guessed magnitude for the physical attribute;
(b) first determining from comparison of an analog version of the first digital guess signal against an analog signal representing the actual magnitude, at least if the initial guessed magnitude is above the actual magnitude or not;
and
(c) second determining whether difference between the initial guessed magnitude and the actual magnitude is within a defined first error bound, where said defined error bound is less than one half of a full scale range of resolution of a digital result signal to be output as representing the actual magnitude of the physical attribute to a predefined degree of digital resolution.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods of using predictive analog to digital converters

Life of this patent

Methods of using predictive analog to digital converters

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15