Autonomous ADC Gain Scaling for Wide Dynamic Range Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) face challenges in accurately measuring both small and large signal changes due to their coarse resolution when dealing with wide dynamic ranges, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs with high-resolution ADCs or software-controlled gain stages that introduce delays and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating an ADC with an autonomous analog gain stage and auto digital result scaling, where a control circuit monitors the signal level and adjusts the gain and scaling components proportionally to maintain the signal within the ADC's dynamic range, allowing for efficient measurement without CPU supervision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-resolution ADC is used to accurately measure small signal changes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a programmable gain stage that dynamically adjusts its gain based on the input signal amplitude. The control circuit monitors the input signal level and automatically selects appropriate gain settings, allowing the system to use a lower-resolution ADC while maintaining high measurement precision for small signals through automatic gain adjustment.
2Measurement precision
If an internal programmable gain stage is added to the ADC, then measurement precision for small signals is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit automatically monitors the input signal level and independently adjusts the gain stage settings without requiring external intervention or complex external circuitry. This self-service approach improves small signal measurement precision while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by keeping the control logic integrated and autonomous.
3Adaptability or versatility
If software-controlled gain stage adjustment is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but processing time increases due to CPU supervision requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit operates autonomously to monitor input signal levels and adjust gain settings in real-time without requiring CPU supervision or software intervention. This hardware-based autonomous control provides adaptability to varying signal conditions while eliminating the processing time delays associated with software-controlled gain adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces software-controlled gain adjustment with a hardware-based control circuit that directly monitors the input signal and automatically adjusts the gain stage. This substitution of hardware control for software control maintains adaptability while significantly reducing processing time by eliminating CPU supervision requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with gain adjustment. One embodiment of an ADC with autonomous gain adjustment includes an ADC, a gain stage coupled to the ADC, a scaler coupled to the ADC, and a control logic that may be configured to configure the gain of the gain stage responsive to measured output of the ADC.