ADC DAC Error Compensation Without Input Shuffling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signal processing technologies face challenges in achieving accurate and efficient conversion of analog signals to digital signals due to errors in digital-to-analog converters (DACs), particularly in sigma-delta conversion methods, which affect the accuracy of analog feedback signals.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for error compensation in analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that includes at least two DACs and a compensation circuit to generate feedback signals indicative of incompatibilities between analog and digital signals, applying gains to digital inputs based on these feedback signals to correct errors, without the need for shuffling devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sigma-delta conversion with unary DACs is used to reduce quantization errors, then quantization accuracy is improved, but DAC errors introduce new inaccuracies in the analog feedback signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the ADC output is fed back through DACs and combined with the original analog input. A compensation circuit processes this feedback path to correct for DAC errors, ensuring that the feedback signal accurately represents the quantized signal while compensating for DAC imperfections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies gain adjustments to individual DAC outputs based on measured error characteristics. By changing the gain parameters of each DAC channel according to its specific error profile, the system compensates for manufacturing variations and maintains high feedback signal accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If shuffling devices are used to randomize digital inputs to DACs, then error compensation may be improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shuffling device from the system architecture. Instead of randomizing digital inputs through shuffling, the system achieves effective error compensation by directly processing the deterministic ADC output through the compensation circuit, which applies gain adjustments based on measured DAC error characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensation circuit performs self-calibration by measuring the actual output of each DAC and automatically adjusting the gain of subsequent stages. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external randomization devices while maintaining compensation accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to compensating for errors in in an analog-to-digital converter circuit (ADC). As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus and/or method involves an ADC that converts an analog signal into a digital signal using an output from a digital-to-analog converter circuit (DAC). A compensation circuit generates a compensation output by, for respective signal portions provided to the DAC, generating a feedback signal based on an incompatibility between the conversion of the signal portions into an analog signal and the value of the signal portions provided to the DAC. A compensation output is generated based on the signal input to the DAC with a gain applied thereto, based on the feedback signal. Hereby, the digital inputs provided to the DACs are non-randomized.