ADC Resolution Control Using SNR and BER Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ADCs often operate at a fixed resolution, leading to power waste due to generating unnecessary least significant bits, and fail to adapt to varying signal integrity and environmental changes, affecting SNR and BER performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with a statistical unit to dynamically control the resolution of ADCs, adjusting the number of comparisons in successive approximation ADCs and independently controlling sub-ADCs in interleaved ADCs based on performance indicators like SNR and BER to match target levels, thereby optimizing power consumption and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ADC operates at fixed high resolution to satisfy highest requirement, then SNR performance is improved, but power consumption increases and unnecessary LSBs are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The ADC resolution is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. A statistical unit continuously monitors signal characteristics and controls the ADC to operate at different resolutions based on current signal conditions, allowing the system to adapt between high resolution (for poor signal conditions requiring high SNR) and low resolution (for good signal conditions where power savings are prioritized)
Solution Approach 2:
The resolution parameter of the ADC is changed dynamically based on statistical analysis of the input signal. The statistical unit calculates signal statistics and uses this information to adjust the number of bits produced by the ADC, thereby changing the resolution parameter to match actual signal requirements rather than operating at a constant high resolution
2Measurement precision
If ADC operates at fixed high resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but power waste occurs due to generating unnecessary LSBs
Solution Approach 1:
The ADC performs partial conversion by generating only the necessary number of bits required for the current signal conditions. When signal conditions are good, fewer bits (LSBs) are generated since they would not contribute meaningfully to measurement precision. The statistical unit determines the optimal number of bits needed, and the ADC produces exactly that many bits rather than always producing the maximum number of bits
3Device complexity
If same N-bit resolution is used for all ADCs on chip, then design complexity is reduced, but power efficiency decreases due to over-provisioning
Solution Approach 1:
Each ADC channel is equipped with its own statistical unit that independently analyzes the signal characteristics of that specific channel and controls its own ADC resolution. This allows different ADC channels to operate at different resolutions based on their individual signal conditions, with each channel adapting locally rather than all channels being forced to use the same resolution
4Use of energy by moving object
If ADC resolution is dynamically adjusted, then power consumption is optimized, but system complexity increases due to statistical unit and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The statistical unit automatically monitors signal characteristics and controls the ADC resolution without requiring external intervention or complex control algorithms. The system serves itself by using the statistical properties of the input signal to determine the appropriate resolution, eliminating the need for manual configuration or complex external control mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary
Methods, systems and devices for dynamically controlling resolution of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC receives an analog input signal and outputs digital data. A statistical unit coupled to the ADC obtains samples of the output signal and transmits a control signal to the ADC to adjust the resolution of the ADC. The control signal is generated by the statistical unit based on a comparison of at least one performance indicator with a target performance level. The at least one performance indicator is calculated using the samples.