Bitstream Overload Detection Circuit for Fast ADC Signal Strength Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting signal strength variations in analog to digital converters are not quick or accurate enough, often requiring complex circuitry and suffering from delays due to digital processing, which can lead to unreliable digital information when the input signal exceeds the converter's range.
Innovation Solution
A signal strength detection circuit that directly analyzes sequences of adjacent equal digital values in the bitstream signal to quickly identify overload conditions, using simple circuitry and reducing the need for complex resources, with predetermined sequence lengths effectively detecting overload conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If power detection is implemented after digital processing, then measurement precision is improved, but response speed deteriorates due to processing delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting power level variations at the bitstream output of the ADC, before full digital processing occurs. The detection circuit monitors the raw bitstream signal immediately after conversion, enabling early detection of overload conditions. This allows the system to respond to power level changes before digital processing delays would prevent timely intervention, while still maintaining accurate detection by analyzing the actual converted signal.
2Measurement precision
If complex power detection circuits are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential overload detection function from the complex power detection circuitry. Instead of implementing full power measurement capabilities, the invention extracts only the critical information needed for overload detection by analyzing sequences of adjacent equal digital values in the bitstream. This extraction approach achieves sufficient detection accuracy for overload conditions while dramatically simplifying the circuit complexity, avoiding the need for elaborate power detection hardware.
3Reliability
If sequence detection with predetermined length is used, then reliability of overload detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a predetermined sequence length as a configurable parameter to control detection sensitivity. By adjusting the length of the sequence of adjacent equal digital values that triggers overload detection, the system can reliably distinguish between normal signal variations and true overload conditions. This parameter-based approach achieves high detection reliability through simple length comparison logic rather than complex detection algorithms, maintaining low circuit complexity while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A device is for digitally processing an input signal that is susceptible to variations in signal strength. The signal (48) is analog to digital converted into a bitstream signal (47), the bitstream signal representing the input signal by consecutive digital values. The device has a signal strength detection circuit (32) for generating a control signal indicative for an overload condition in which the signal strength exceeds a input range of the analog to digital converter, e.g. a sigma-delta modulator. The signal strength detection circuit detects, in the bitstream signal, a sequence (49,50) of adjacent and equal digital values, the sequence having at least a predetermined length. The circuit detects the overload condition effectively and fast, avoiding the delay of signal strength detection in a digital processor.