ADC Input Range Detection Using Multi-Ratio Voltage Dividers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analog to digital converters face challenges in achieving a large voltage detection range while maintaining fine resolution in low voltage ranges, which requires increasing the effective number of bits, leading to higher hardware costs and reduced noise immunity.
Innovation Solution
The proposed analog to digital converter employs multiple voltage divider circuits and front-end circuits with different voltage divider ratios to generate signals with varying levels, allowing for selective sampling and conversion to digital outputs based on a reference voltage, thereby adjusting the voltage detection range without increasing the effective number of bits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the effective number of bits of the analog to digital converter is increased to achieve fine resolution in low voltage range, then the voltage resolution is improved, but the hardware cost increases and noise immunity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the input voltage signal into multiple segments using voltage divider circuits with different division ratios. Each segment corresponds to a specific voltage range, and the converter selectively processes signals from the appropriate segment based on the input voltage level. This segmentation allows the use of lower-bit converters for each segment while maintaining overall fine resolution across the full voltage range, thereby reducing hardware complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of voltage range selection by implementing multiple voltage divider circuits with different division ratios (e.g., 1:1, 1:2, 1:4). This dimensional approach allows the system to handle different voltage ranges separately, converting a single high-resolution requirement into multiple lower-resolution requirements across different voltage dimensions, thus reducing the effective number of bits needed.
2Reliability
If the effective number of bits is increased to ensure sufficient noise immunity in low voltage range, then the noise immunity is improved, but the hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the voltage range into multiple bands using voltage dividers, the patent allows each converter channel to operate within a optimized voltage range. This segmentation enables proper signal conditioning and filtering for each segment, improving noise immunity without requiring excessive bit depth across the entire voltage range, thus avoiding unnecessary hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different voltage division ratios to different input voltage ranges, creating local optimization for each voltage band. Each segment can be tailored with appropriate filtering and conversion parameters optimized for its specific voltage range and noise characteristics, achieving superior noise immunity locally without requiring high-bit-depth conversion globally.
3Device complexity
If a single converter is used with fixed voltage detection range, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different voltage ranges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional converter system where multiple voltage divider circuits with different ratios share common converter resources. The system can universally handle different voltage ranges by selectively activating appropriate voltage divider paths based on the input signal level, making a single converter architecture capable of performing multiple voltage range detection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic voltage range selection by using control logic that automatically switches between different voltage divider configurations based on the detected input voltage level. This dynamic adaptation allows the converter to optimize its detection range in real-time without requiring multiple fixed-range converters, maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An analog to digital converter includes voltage divider circuits, front-end circuits, at least one converter circuit, and a controller circuit. The voltage divider circuits are configured to divide an input signal to generate first signals, in which the first signals have different levels. The front-end circuits are configured to respectively sample the first signals to generate second signals. The at least one converter circuit is configured to generate at least one digital output according to the second signals and a reference voltage. The controller circuit is configured to determine a level of the input signal according to the at least one digital output and select one of the at least one digital output according to the level of the input signal.