Dynamic ADC Gain Switching for Wide-Range High-Resolution Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital sensors face challenges in achieving high resolution and dynamic range due to limitations in analog to digital conversion, particularly in handling wide ranges of physical quantities and preventing signal clipping.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic high-resolution analog to digital converter (ADC) system that includes a sample and hold circuit, dynamic amplifier, residue signal amplifier, digital to analog converter (DAC), and decoder, which adjusts gains dynamically to prevent clipping by reducing the first gain by half when the input signal exceeds the ADC's range and maintains a second gain of 1 when no clipping occurs, allowing for accurate conversion of analog signals into digital data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed gain amplifier is used in the ADC, then the circuit structure is simple, but the dynamic range is limited and signal clipping occurs when input signal exceeds the range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gain adjustment by switching between a first gain (higher) and a second gain (lower) based on the input signal level. When the input signal exceeds the ADC's full-scale range, the system automatically switches to the lower second gain to prevent clipping, thereby expanding the dynamic range while maintaining circuit simplicity through controlled gain switching.
2Measurement precision
If a higher gain is used to amplify weak signals, then the resolution is improved, but signal clipping occurs when the input signal is too strong
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the gain parameter dynamically based on the input signal amplitude. A first gain value is used when the input signal is within the acceptable range to maintain high resolution, while a second (lower) gain value is switched to when the input signal exceeds the full-scale range, preventing clipping and ensuring reliable signal conversion across varying input conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gain is reduced to prevent clipping, then the dynamic range is improved, but the resolution for weak signals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the gain based on real-time signal level detection. When the input signal is strong and approaches the full-scale range, the lower second gain is applied to expand dynamic range and prevent clipping. When the input signal is weak and within the acceptable range, the higher first gain is applied to maintain high resolution, thus resolving the trade-off between dynamic range and resolution.
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic high-resolution ADC according to an example embodiment may include a dynamic amplifier configured to amplify, by as much as a first gain, the sampled-and-held analog signal received from the sample and hold circuit; DAC configured to convert a digital signal input from a decoder into an analog signal; a residue signal amplifier connected to the dynamic amplifier and the DAC and configured to calculate a difference between an output signal of the dynamic amplifier and an output signal of the DAC and amplify the difference by as much as a second gain; an ADC connected to the residue signal amplifier and configured to convert an output signal of the residue signal amplifier into a digital signal; and a decoder connected to the ADC and configured to decode, into digital data, an output signal of the ADC input by the ADC.