ADC Fast Digital Gain Detection for Low-Power Signal Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) face issues with high power consumption and noise introduction due to the use of processors for automatic gain control, and they often experience delays in gain adjustment, which can be problematic for applications requiring low power and fast response times.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a fast digital detection loop within the ADC that operates in parallel to the conversion path, allowing for automatic gain control without analog comparators, and the use of masking circuits to suppress transients during gain changes, thereby reducing power consumption and improving response speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a processor is used for automatic gain control in conventional ADC systems, then gain adjustment can be achieved, but power consumption increases and noise is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic gain controlVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the processor-based automatic gain control system with a dedicated detection loop using digital circuits. This substitution eliminates the need for a general-purpose processor, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining automatic gain control functionality. The detection loop uses simple digital comparators and logic circuits instead of complex processor operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the gain detection and control functionality from the main processor, creating a separate, dedicated detection loop. This extraction allows the processor to be removed or minimized, reducing overall power consumption while preserving the automatic gain control capability through the specialized detection loop.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Extent of automation

If a processor is used for automatic gain control, then gain adjustment can be achieved, but noise is introduced into the system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic gain controlVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the processor-based control system with a dedicated detection loop using digital circuits. This substitution eliminates noise generated by processor operations while maintaining automatic gain control functionality through cleaner digital signaling and specialized circuitry designed for low-noise operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If conventional ADC systems use standard conversion paths, then accurate digital conversion is achieved, but delay occurs between analog input signal change and gain adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedigital conversion accuracyVSAvoidresponse delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ADC system into two parallel paths: a fast detection loop for rapid gain detection and adjustment, and a separate high-precision conversion path for accurate digital conversion. This segmentation allows the detection loop to operate with minimal delay while the conversion path maintains its accuracy requirements, resolving the time-accuracy tradeoff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a temporal dimension by creating a parallel fast detection loop that operates independently from the sequential conversion path. This allows gain detection and adjustment to occur in a different time dimension, providing rapid response without compromising the accuracy of the main conversion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If analog comparators are used for gain detection, then detection can be achieved, but power consumption and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalog signal detectionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces analog comparators with a digital detection loop that uses digital circuits to detect and measure signal levels. This substitution reduces power consumption and noise by using digital logic instead of analog circuitry, while maintaining the ability to detect gain changes through digital signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11251805B2Method for fast detection and automatic gain adjustment in ADC based signal

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AMERICAS CORP

AI summary

A method can include modulating an amplified analog signal into a digital data stream, filtering the digital data stream with a first filter, generating gain control values associated with amplified analog signal based on the filtered data stream with the first filter and filtering the digital data stream with a second filter, and generating output digital values associated with the amplified analog signal based on the filtered data stream with the second filter. Corresponding systems and devices are also disclosed.