ADC Weighting Calibration Using Stepwise Offset Binary Voltages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional analog-to-digital converters require high-precision and expensive digital-to-analog converters for accurate integral nonlinearity measurement, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A weighting information generating apparatus that generates offset binary voltages and adjusts the weighting adjustment unit of an analog-to-digital converter to improve integral nonlinearity without using a high-precision digital-to-analog converter, by inputting stepwise offset binary voltages and analyzing output values to determine and correct inflection points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-precision digital-to-analog converter is used to measure integral nonlinearity, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model of the ideal linear transfer characteristic and uses software-based algorithms to generate correction data, replacing the need for expensive high-precision digital-to-analog converter hardware. The correction data serves as a digital copy of the ideal performance characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement approach from requiring high-precision hardware to using standard hardware with software-based parameter analysis. By analyzing the relationship between input and output values through algorithms, the system achieves high measurement precision without needing expensive components.
2Measurement precision
If a high-precision digital-to-analog converter is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical complexity of high-precision digital-to-analog converter hardware with software-based algorithms and computational methods. The measurement function is transferred from hardware precision to software processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex high-precision hardware, the system uses a simplified hardware setup combined with a virtual model (software copy) of the ideal transfer characteristic to achieve the same measurement precision.
3Reliability
If correction techniques are established to guarantee precision, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of the actual transfer characteristic and generates correction data in advance. This pre-computed correction data is then applied during normal operation, ensuring reliability without adding complexity to the real-time conversion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the measured transfer characteristic to generate correction data that compensates for deviations from ideal linearity. This closed-loop approach ensures precision guarantee through software-based correction rather than complex hardware techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
[Problems] To provide a weighting information generating apparatus capable of generating weighting information for improving integral nonlinearity without using a high precision digital-to-analog converter.[Solution to the Problem] The weighting information generating apparatus 20 includes: a voltage input unit 21, 22, 23, 24a that has a voltage generation unit 21, 22 configured to generate predetermined binary voltages; and a voltage offset unit 21, 23 configured to apply a voltage for offset to the binary voltages generated by the voltage generation unit 21, 22 to offset the binary voltages, and is configured to sequentially input the offset binary voltages, which are offset stepwise for each predetermined voltage, into an analog-to-digital converter 10; and an information generating unit 21 that is configured to acquire output values corresponding to the binary voltages output from the analog-to-digital converter 10, and generate weighting information based on the acquired output values.