Multiplexed ADC Sequencing With Step Settings and Status Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiplexed ADC architectures lack flexibility to quickly change conversion settings, fail to provide feedback on conversion status, and are unable to support a wide variety of use cases due to limitations in changing the order of settings and requiring external instructions for setting changes.
Innovation Solution
Implement a multiplexed ADC architecture with multiple step settings pages and a general settings page, allowing arbitrary ordering of settings and providing feedback on conversion status through control circuitry, enabling rapid switching between settings and enhanced flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional multiplexed ADC architecture is used, then the device structure is simple, but the flexibility to quickly change conversion settings is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The settings are divided into multiple step settings pages (first step settings page, second step settings page, etc.) stored in memory, allowing the ADC to sequentially access different settings without requiring complete reconfiguration. This segmentation enables flexible switching between conversion settings while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A control circuit is introduced as an intermediary between the ADC and the settings pages. The control circuit manages the sequencing of settings pages, determines which page to access next, and handles the complexity of settings management, thereby providing flexibility without significantly increasing ADC core complexity.
2Loss of information
If traditional ADC architecture is used, then the device is easy to operate, but it fails to provide feedback on conversion status
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is configured to report conversion status information back to external devices. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about which settings page is currently being used, how many conversions have been completed, and the current state of the ADC, enabling better monitoring and control without excessive complexity.
3Extent of automation
If traditional ADC architecture is used, then the device complexity is low, but it requires external instructions for setting changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit automatically sequences through the step settings pages stored in memory without requiring external instructions for each setting change. The system serves itself by autonomously managing the progression through different conversion settings, thereby increasing automation while the control circuit handles the complexity of automatic sequencing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple settings pages are implemented, then the adaptability increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple step settings pages are implemented in memory, with each page containing conversion settings for specific use cases. This segmentation allows the ADC to support a wide variety of applications by loading appropriate settings pages without requiring a completely different device architecture, thereby increasing adaptability while managing complexity through organized memory structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An example apparatus includes: initialization circuitry to: enable a first step settings page and a second step settings page; and disable a third step settings page; sequencer circuitry configured to execute a sequence of operations, the sequence including: instruct ADC circuitry to perform, in a sequence, different numbers of conversions using different settings values, the settings values provided from the first step settings page and the second step settings page; skip the third step settings page; and monitor circuitry configured to report, during the performance of the conversions and to an external device, one or more of: an index that corresponds to the settings values currently being used by the ADC circuitry; a number of conversions completed by the ADC circuitry using a current step settings page; or a number of iterations of the sequence completed by the ADC circuitry.