Hybrid analog to digital converter circuit and method

A digitally controlled switch mode power supply comprising:

• a power supply output;
• a digital controller;
• a comparing circuit connected and configured to compare a power output from the power supply output to a target output and provide a voltage error signal;
• and
• a hybrid analog to digital converter circuit configured to receive the voltage error signal, the hybrid analog to digital converter circuit including:
• a high resolution analog to digital converter circuit in communication with the voltage error signal and configured to provide a correction signal to the digital controller when the voltage error signal is within a first error range;
• and
• at least one flash analog to digital converter circuit in communication with the voltage error signal and configured to provide at least a second correction signal to the digital controller when the voltage error signal is within at least a second error range, wherein the digital controller is configured to receive correction signals from the hybrid analog to digital converter circuit and correct the power output from the power supply output as a function of the correction signals.

A method for correcting output error in a power supply comprising:

• determining an error signal relating to the difference between an output from a power supply and a target output;
• operating a high resolution analog to digital converter circuit to convert the error signal into a correction signal for the digital controller when the error signal is within a first range of error near zero error;
• and
• operating a flash analog to digital converter circuit to convert the error signal into a correction signal for the digital controller when the error signal is within a second range of error at least partially further from zero error than the first range of error.

A feedback circuit comprising:

• a comparing circuit connected and configured to compare a power output from a power supply output to a target output and provide a voltage error signal;
• and
• a hybrid analog to digital converter circuit configured to receive the voltage error signal, the hybrid analog to digital converter circuit including:
• a high resolution analog to digital converter circuit comprising a delta-sigma converter circuit in communication with the voltage error signal and configured to provide a correction signal to a digital controller of the power supply when the voltage error signal is within a first error range;
• a first flash analog to digital converter circuit in communication with the voltage error signal and configured to provide a second correction signal to the digital controller when the voltage error signal is within a second error range;
• and
• a second flash analog to digital converter circuit in communication with the voltage error signal and configured to provide a third correction signal to the digital controller when the voltage error signal is within a third error range, wherein the digital controller is configured to receive correction signals from the hybrid analog to digital converter circuit and correct the power output from the power supply output as a function of the correction signals.