Configurable ADC Architecture for Speed-Accuracy Tradeoffs

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are developed on a case-by-case basis, leading to increased development periods and costs due to non-uniform conversion speed and accuracy requirements across different technical fields, such as wireless communication systems.

Innovation Solution

An ADC configuration that includes a plurality of base ADCs, a clock-phase control unit, and a digital-output processing unit, allowing for flexible selection of conversion speed and accuracy by controlling clock phases and using a multiplexer for averaging or multiplexing digital outputs, enabling the formation of ADCs with various specifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ADCs are independently developed for each application, then the ADC meets the specific conversion speed and accuracy requirements, but the development period and development cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion accuracyVSAvoiddevelopment period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal ADC platform that can serve multiple applications with different conversion speed and accuracy requirements. By incorporating a plurality of base ADCs with different specifications and a configurable architecture, the system can be adapted to various wireless communication standards (W-CDMA, GSM, etc.) without requiring separate independent developments, thus reducing development time while maintaining application-specific performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The ADC is divided into multiple base ADCs (first base ADC, second base ADC, etc.) each with different conversion speeds and accuracy characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to select and combine appropriate ADC units based on specific application requirements, enabling flexible configuration without full re-development for each application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional ADCs are independently developed for each application, then the ADC meets the specific conversion speed and accuracy requirements, but the development cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion accuracyVSAvoiddevelopment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal ADC platform that can serve multiple applications with different conversion speed and accuracy requirements. By incorporating a plurality of base ADCs with different specifications and a configurable architecture, the system can be adapted to various wireless communication standards (W-CDMA, GSM, etc.) without requiring separate independent developments, thus reducing development time while maintaining application-specific performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple base ADCs with different specifications are combined into a single integrated ADC system. This merging allows the system to achieve multiple conversion speed and accuracy specifications simultaneously, reducing the need for separate ADC developments for different applications and thereby lowering overall development costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of time

If a single ADC design is used for all applications, then the development period and cost are reduced, but the ADC cannot meet varying conversion speed and accuracy requirements of different applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevelopment periodVSAvoidspecification flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ADC is divided into multiple base ADCs (first base ADC, second base ADC, etc.) each with different conversion speeds and accuracy characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to select and combine appropriate ADC units based on specific application requirements, enabling flexible configuration without full re-development for each application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ADC system incorporates dynamic configurability through a multiplexer and control logic that can switch between different base ADCs and operating modes based on real-time requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows a single hardware platform to meet varying conversion speed and accuracy demands of different wireless communication applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8125359B2Analog-to-digital converter

Publication Date: 2012.02.28 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to an embodiment, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) including an ADC unit, a clock-phase control unit, a multiplexer, and a digital-output processing unit is provided. The digital-output processing unit inputs digital outputs of the ADC unit to either an averaging circuit or the multiplexer depending on the specified conversion speed and the specified conversion accuracy, or inputs the digital outputs of the ADC unit to the averaging circuit and the multiplexer in this order, and outputs ADC digital signals with the specified conversion speed and the specified conversion accuracy.