ADC Timestamp Tagging for Inter-Chip Timing Uncertainty
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Solution Overview
Problem
In systems where a measurement apparatus and a controller are formed in separate semiconductor chips, the lack of a common clock source leads to uncertainty in timing relationships between analog signals and digital data, causing issues in data interpretation and transmission.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) in the measurement apparatus transforms analog signals into a modulated digital data stream combined with event indication data, which is then transmitted in a communication frame to the controller, allowing the controller to determine the timing relationship without needing to know the specific acquisition time of the analog signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the measurement apparatus and controller are formed in separate semiconductor chips, then device integration flexibility is improved, but timing relationship precision deteriorates due to lack of common clock source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (timestamp counter and communication frame structure) that mediates between the measurement apparatus and controller. The timestamp counter captures timing information from the measurement apparatus's local clock, and this timestamp is transmitted through the communication interface to the controller, allowing the controller to determine acquisition times without needing a common clock source. This intermediary approach enables separate chips to maintain precise timing relationships.
2Measurement precision
If a common clock source is used between measurement apparatus and controller, then timing relationship precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing information from the complex synchronization problem by separating the timestamp generation from the data acquisition process. The timestamp counter independently captures timing information, which is then packaged with the digital data in a communication frame. This extraction approach simplifies the system by eliminating the need for complex inter-chip synchronization while maintaining precise timing relationships.
3Productivity
If digital data is transmitted without event indication data, then communication efficiency is improved, but data interpretation reliability deteriorates due to timing uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the digital data stream with event indication data (timestamps) into a unified communication frame structure. The timestamp counter generates event indication data that is combined with the converted digital data before transmission. This merging ensures that each data packet contains both the measurement value and its corresponding timing information, enabling reliable data interpretation without requiring separate synchronization channels or reducing communication efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement apparatus for providing digital data to a controller, including an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) configured to transform an analog signal into a modulated digital data stream; an event detector configured to generate event indication data based on an event related to the analog signal or the digital data; and a communication interface configured to combine the modulated digital data stream and the event indication data into one or more communication frames, and to transmit the one or more communication frames to the controller.