Differential Current Sensing Circuit With Quantization Noise Subtraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art analog to digital converters (ADCs) are power consumptive, provide low resolution, and are not suitable for applications with limited power budgets or high performance requirements, failing to adequately serve various industrial and medical applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of a novel ADC design that operates on a single line to both drive and sense analog signals, utilizing a comparator and digital circuit to convert analog signals into high-resolution digital formats with low power consumption, suitable for a broad range of applications including industrial and medical uses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If prior art ADCs are used, then analog to digital conversion is achieved, but power consumption is high and resolution is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the driving function and sensing function into a single line interface. The single line both drives the analog signal source and senses the analog signal, eliminating the need for separate drive and sense lines. This merging reduces the number of required ADC instances and associated power consumption while maintaining high resolution through the differential sensing approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a differential sensing mechanism as an intermediary between the analog signal source and the ADC. By sensing the difference voltage between two lines where one line carries the drive signal and the other carries a reference or complementary signal, the system achieves high-resolution measurement with reduced power consumption compared to direct single-ended ADC conversion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior art ADCs are used, then conversion is achieved, but they consume excessive power for applications with limited power budgets
Solution Approach 1:
The single line interface merges drive and sense functions, reducing the number of active ADC components needed. This consolidation significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining the ability to serve diverse applications including remote sensors and biomedical devices that require low power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single line interface design provides multi-functionality by simultaneously performing driving, sensing, and differential measurement functions. This universal approach makes the system adaptable to various low-power applications including remote sensors, biomedical devices, and industrial monitoring where power budgets are constrained.
3Speed
If conventional ADC designs are used, then basic conversion is achieved, but bandwidth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The differential sensing mechanism acts as an intermediary that preserves signal integrity and bandwidth while enabling high-resolution measurement. By sensing the voltage difference between two lines, the system captures high-frequency differential signals without the bandwidth limitations of conventional single-ended ADC designs, achieving both high speed and high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A high resolution analog to digital converter (ADC) with improved bandwidth senses an analog signal (e.g., a load current) to generate a digital signal. The ADC operates based on a load voltage produced based on charging of an element (e.g., a capacitor) by a load current and a digital to analog converter (DAC) output current (e.g., from a N-bit DAC). The ADC generates a digital output signal representative of a difference between the load voltage and a reference voltage. This digital output signal is used directly, or after digital signal processing, to operate an N-bit DAC to generate a DAC output current that tracks the load current. In addition, quantization noise is subtracted from the digital output signal thereby extending the operational bandwidth of the ADC. In certain examples, the operational bandwidth of the ADC extends up to 100 s of kHz (e.g., 200-300 kHz), or even higher.