Successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with dynamic search algorithm
AssigneeMaxLinear, Inc.
InventorsRaja Pullela, Curtis Ling
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Abstract
Aspects of a method and system for a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter with dynamic search algorithms are provided. In some embodiments, a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter includes a digital-to-analog converter, a comparator, and a search and decode logic modules which cooperate to generate a digital output code representative of the analog input voltage based on a dynamic search algorithm. The dynamic search algorithms may alter a sequence of reference voltages used to successively approximate the analog input voltage based on one or more characteristics of the analog input voltage.
Claims18
A method of an analog-to-digital converter, comprising:
- obtaining, with the analog-to-digital converter, a digital output code representative of an analog input voltage by updating the digital output code one or more times;
- and
- outputting a flag signal that indicates a timing relationship between a number of updates used to obtain the digital output code representative of the analog input voltage and a baseline number of updates.
A successive approximation analog-to-digital converter, comprising:
- a digital-to-analog converter operable to generate a reference voltage based on a digital reference code;
- a comparator operable to compare an analog input voltage to the reference voltage generated by the digital-to-analog converter and generate a comparison output indicative of the comparison;
- and
- a search and decode logic module comprising one or more circuits operable to:
- obtain a digital output code representative of the analog input voltage by updating the digital reference code one or more times based on the comparison output;
- and
- generate a flag signal that indicates a timing relationship between a number of updates used to obtain the digital output code representative of the analog input signal and a baseline number of updates.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a communication interface operable to receive analog signal;
- and
- a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter operable to:
- obtain a digital output code representative of an analog input voltage of the received analog signal by updating the digital output code one or more times based on a relationship between the analog input voltage and a reference voltage specified by the digital output code;
- and
- generate a flag signal that indicates a timing relationship between a number of updates used to obtain the digital output code representative of the analog input voltage and a baseline number of updates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.