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US 8,477,382 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for transmitting data in a multi-channel system
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsAkira Takahashi, Hirokazu Takahashi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Conventional analog front ends or AFEs for scanners are implemented using multiple integrated circuits or ICs. As a result, there is typically a problem of skew (due at least in part to manufacturing process variations) for these different ICs in the AFE. Here, an AFE is provided which serializes input data so as to compensate for skew.
Claims19
An apparatus comprising:
- an image sensor;
- and
- an analog front end (AFE) having:
- a first AFE unit that is coupled to the image sensor through a first set of channels, wherein the first AFE unit outputs a first AFE data packet for each of the first set of channels during each cycle of a clock signal;
- and
- a second AFE unit that is coupled to the image sensor through a second set of channels and that is coupled to the first AFE unit, wherein the second AFE unit outputs the first AFE data packet for each of the first set of channels and a second AFE data packet for each of the second set of channels during each cycle of the clock signal.
3 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- an image sensor;
- and
- an AFE having a plurality of AFE units coupled in series with one another in a sequence, wherein each AFE has a set of channels, and wherein each AFE unit is coupled to the image sensor through its set of channels, and wherein each AFE unit outputs an AFE data packet for each of its channels and an AFE data packet from each channel of each preceding AFE unit in the sequence during each cycle of a clock signal.
A method comprising:
- receiving analog image data at each channel of a plurality of AFEs, wherein the plurality of AFEs are coupled in series with one another in a sequence, and wherein the last AFE of the sequence is coupled to an IC;
- outputting, at about the same time, an AFE data packet from each AFE, corresponding to its first channel, to at least one of a subsequent AFE in the sequence and the IC;
- and
- repeating the step of outputting for of the remaining channels of each AFE such that the AFE data packet for each channel of each AFE is output to the IC within one cycle of a clock signal.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.