Reconfigurable Hybrid ADC Architecture for Multi-Mode Power Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) face challenges in efficiently supporting multiple communication standards due to the need for either multiple dedicated ADCs, which occupy significant space and increase costs, or a single high-performance ADC that results in low power efficiency for modes not requiring high performance.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable hybrid ADC system that includes a first-stage ADC of one type and multiple second-stage ADCs of another type, connected via switches that can select and bypass components based on the required resolution and speed, allowing for different configurations to support various communication modes while optimizing power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated ADCs are used for each communication mode, then each ADC can be optimized for its specific mode, but the total area occupied increases significantly and the number of IP blocks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single ADC that can operate in multiple communication modes (10G, 5G, 2.5G, 1G Ethernet) by dynamically reconfiguring its parameters such as sampling rate, resolution, and clock frequency. This multi-functional approach allows one ADC to replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated ADCs, significantly reducing the total area occupied while maintaining optimized performance for each communication standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The ADC incorporates dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where parameters such as the number of active channels, sampling rate, and resolution can be adjusted in real-time based on the required communication mode. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize performance for each mode without requiring separate dedicated hardware, thereby reducing area while preserving versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single high-performance ADC with highest resolution and speed is used to support multiple modes, then versatility is improved, but power efficiency deteriorates in modes that do not require high performance
Solution Approach 1:
The ADC implementation uses partial action by activating only the necessary number of channels and operating at the required resolution and sampling rate for each communication mode rather than always operating at maximum performance. For example, in 1G Ethernet mode, not all ADC channels are activated and the resolution is reduced to match the requirements, thereby significantly improving power efficiency while maintaining versatility across all communication standards.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated ADCs are used for each communication mode, then each ADC can be optimized for its specific mode, but the device complexity and cost increase due to more IP blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single ADC that can operate in multiple communication modes (10G, 5G, 2.5G, 1G Ethernet) by dynamically reconfiguring its parameters such as sampling rate, resolution, and clock frequency. This multi-functional approach allows one ADC to replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated ADCs, significantly reducing the total area occupied while maintaining optimized performance for each communication standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple dedicated ADCs into a single unified ADC structure that can be dynamically reconfigured to serve different communication modes. By combining the channels and sharing common resources such as clock circuits, reference voltage, and control logic, the design reduces the number of IP blocks required while maintaining the ability to support multiple Ethernet standards with optimized performance for each.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system may include a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of a first type electrically coupled by a plurality of switches to a plurality of ADCs of a second type. The plurality of switches may be configured to select, based on a rate of an analog-to-digital conversion, a quantity of ADCs of the second type, from among the plurality of ADCs of the second type, to supply the analog-to-digital conversion at the rate. The plurality of switches may be configured to selectively bypass the first ADC according to a resolution of the analog-to-digital conversion. The plurality of switches may be configured to bypass the first ADC responsive to the resolution of the conversion being below a threshold.