Dual-Path ADC Attenuation Switching Without Signal Disturbance
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Solution Overview
Problem
High dynamic range analog signals, such as those in radio frequency communication, pose a challenge for efficient and high-quality digitization due to the high cost of wide-input-range analog-to-digital converters, which often require attenuators to prevent overload, but these attenuators introduce signal disturbances when switched.
Innovation Solution
A dual-path analog-to-digital conversion device with separate attenuators and converters, controlled by a digital signal processing unit, allows for undisturbed signal processing by switching attenuation only in one path, using two separate conversion paths with attenuators and analog-to-digital converters to maintain signal quality and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an attenuator is used to reduce the dynamic range of the analog-to-digital converter, then the cost is reduced, but signal disturbances are introduced when the attenuation is switched or changed
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate conversion paths: a first path with a first attenuator and first analog-to-digital converter, and a second path with a second attenuator and second analog-to-digital converter. This segmentation allows independent control of each path, enabling disturbance-free switching by selecting which path to use based on signal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A control unit acts as an intermediary that monitors the analog input signal and automatically selects which conversion path to use. The control unit switches between the first and second paths based on signal strength, ensuring that attenuation is applied only when necessary and that the active path remains undisturbed during conversion.
2Measurement precision
If a single analog-to-digital converter with wide dynamic range is used, then signal quality is maintained, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its configuration by switching between different attenuation settings in the first and second paths based on the input signal strength. This dynamic adjustment allows the use of lower-resolution analog-to-digital converters while maintaining effective signal quality through real-time adaptation, reducing overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The attenuation parameters of the first and second attenuators are changed based on the input signal characteristics. By adjusting the attenuation level dynamically, the system optimizes the signal range for the analog-to-digital converters, allowing the use of cost-effective converters with limited dynamic range while maintaining measurement precision through parameter adaptation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If attenuation is switched to adapt to signal levels, then the dynamic range is optimized, but disturbances are created in the analog signal
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines the appropriate attenuation level in advance by monitoring the analog input signal before switching occurs. This preliminary assessment allows the system to pre-select the optimal path (first or second) and switch to it before the signal processing begins, preventing disturbances during active conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous undisturbed signal conversion by ensuring that only one path is active at a time and that switching occurs only when the inactive path is selected. The control unit manages the transition between paths to maintain continuous useful action without interruption or disturbance to the analog signal being converted.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
An analog-to-digital conversion device (10) has an input (12), an output (14), a first conversion path (16), a second conversion path (18) and a control unit (20). The first conversion path (16) is connected to the input (12) as well as to the output (14) and comprises a first attenuator (22) and a first analog-to-digital converter (26) The second conversion path (18) is connected to the input (12) as well as to the output (14) and comprises a second attenuator (24) and a second analog-to-digital converter (28). The control unit (20) is connected to the first attenuator (22) and the second attenuator (24) and the control unit (20) is configured to control the first attenuator (22) and the second attenuator (24). Further, a method for analog-to-digital conversion is shown.