ADC Reference-Level Switching for Low-Power Precision Conversion

Solution Overview

Problem

Analog-to-digital converters require a large number of comparators to increase accuracy and voltage range, leading to increased power consumption and footprint.

Innovation Solution

Analog-to-digital converters with variable reference levels and a controller to dynamically select reference levels based on comparator outputs, using a comparator set and a reference level generator with multiplexers and digital-to-analog converters to optimize power consumption and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of comparators is increased to improve measurement precision and voltage range, then the conversion accuracy is improved, but the power consumption and device footprint increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic reference level adjustment where the reference levels are not fixed but are adapted based on the input signal characteristics. The controller dynamically selects and switches between different reference level sets, allowing the system to maintain high conversion accuracy for the current signal range while keeping the number of active comparators minimal, thus reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the reference level parameters dynamically based on signal detection. When the input signal falls within a certain voltage range, the controller switches to a corresponding set of reference levels optimized for that range. This allows accurate conversion for varying signal amplitudes without requiring a large number of comparators for the entire possible voltage range simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the number of comparators is increased to improve measurement precision and voltage range, then the conversion accuracy is improved, but the device footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion accuracyVSAvoiddevice footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic reference level adjustment where the reference levels are not fixed but are adapted based on the input signal characteristics. The controller dynamically selects and switches between different reference level sets, allowing the system to maintain high conversion accuracy for the current signal range while keeping the number of active comparators minimal, thus reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the reference level parameters dynamically based on signal detection. When the input signal falls within a certain voltage range, the controller switches to a corresponding set of reference levels optimized for that range. This allows accurate conversion for varying signal amplitudes without requiring a large number of comparators for the entire possible voltage range simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If fixed reference levels are used for each comparator, then the conversion process is simplified, but the adaptability to different signal ranges is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion process simplicityVSAvoidsignal range adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic reference level adjustment where the reference levels are not fixed but are adapted based on the input signal characteristics. The controller dynamically selects and switches between different reference level sets, allowing the system to maintain high conversion accuracy for the current signal range while keeping the number of active comparators minimal, thus reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the reference level parameters dynamically based on signal detection. When the input signal falls within a certain voltage range, the controller switches to a corresponding set of reference levels optimized for that range. This allows accurate conversion for varying signal amplitudes without requiring a large number of comparators for the entire possible voltage range simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250323657A1Device and method for analog to digital conversion

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 DOLPHIN SEMICONDUCTOR

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an analog-to-digital converter, comprising: one or more comparators, each signal with a variable configured to compare an analog reference level specific to the comparator; a controller coupled to an output of the one or more comparators and configured to generate a control signal indicating the reference level of each comparator as a function of an output signal from each of the one or more comparators and configured to generate a digital output signal based on the output signal from each of the one or more comparators.