Chopper ADC Circuit for Wide-Range Sensor Signal Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional analog-digital conversion methods for high dynamic range signals, such as those from inductive motion sensors, require amplifiers with variable gain and additional filters, leading to increased current consumption and chip surface area, as well as offset errors and noise issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a continuous-time analog-digital converter with a chopper modulator and demodulator, which operates without variable preamplification and incorporates integrating capacitors connected via a chopper signal, achieving inherent low-pass filtering and reducing the need for additional amplifiers and filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If amplifiers with variable gain and low-pass filters are used to handle high dynamic range signals, then the signal dynamic range is reduced and conversion is enabled, but current consumption and chip surface area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the variable gain amplifier and low-pass filter from the signal processing chain. Instead of using these separate components to handle high dynamic range signals, the invention directly feeds the high dynamic range signal to the ADC, which is designed to natively support wide input ranges, thereby eliminating the need for these power-consuming components.
Solution Approach 2:
The ADC is designed with multi-functional capabilities to directly handle high dynamic range signals without requiring separate amplification and filtering stages. The converter integrates multiple functions into a single component that can process signals across a wide voltage range (e.g., 4-120 mV) while maintaining accuracy, replacing what would traditionally require multiple discrete components.
2Measurement precision
If amplifiers with variable gain and low-pass filters are used to handle high dynamic range signals, then the signal dynamic range is reduced and conversion is enabled, but chip surface area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the variable gain amplifier and low-pass filter from the signal processing chain. Instead of using these separate components to handle high dynamic range signals, the invention directly feeds the high dynamic range signal to the ADC, which is designed to natively support wide input ranges, thereby eliminating the need for these power-consuming components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of signal conditioning, dynamic range handling, and analog-to-digital conversion into a single integrated ADC component. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate amplifier and filter circuits, significantly reducing the total chip surface area required for the signal processing system.
3Reliability
If channel filters and buffers are added to filter out frequencies and prevent offset errors, then signal quality is improved, but current consumption and circuit complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes channel filters and buffer circuits from the signal processing path. The ADC is designed to directly process raw sensor signals across the full frequency range and dynamic range without requiring intermediate filtering or buffering stages, thereby reducing circuit complexity while maintaining signal quality through its native wide-range conversion capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces noise levels, eliminates the need for variable amplifiers, and extends the dynamic range, while minimizing offset errors and current consumption, thereby enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of signal conversion.
Implementation Method 1
a chopper modulator arranged down-circuit of the demodulator, for chopping on the basis of a chopper signal
Implementation Method 2
at least one integrating capacitor, which is connected to the remainder of the analog-digital converter in accordance with a chopper signal
Implementation Method 3
a chopper demodulator for chopping on the basis of the chopper signal
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for analog-digital conversion and corresponding systems having a sensor and an apparatus of this type are provided. Demodulation is executed with no variable preamplification, followed by continuous-time analog-digital conversion, at least in time segments, which further employs chopper techniques.