Interleaved Time-Domain A/D Converter for Accurate High Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
A/D converters face challenges in achieving high accuracy and throughput due to characteristic variations in miniaturized LSIs, particularly in sample-and-hold circuits, which degrade conversion accuracy and are difficult to compensate for.
Innovation Solution
The proposed A/D converter employs a voltage-to-time converter to synchronize with a sampling clock and convert analog voltage to a time difference, which is then processed by multiple time-to-digital converters operating in an interleaved manner, allowing for digital compensation of conversion errors and path unbalances, thereby reducing the impact of analog circuit characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If A/D converters are arranged in parallel to improve throughput, then conversion throughput is improved, but characteristic variations of sample-and-hold circuits degrade conversion accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voltage-to-time converter as an intermediary device that transforms the analog voltage signal into a time interval signal before distribution to parallel A/D converters. This time domain representation serves as a mediator that is insensitive to characteristic variations of sample-and-hold circuits, thereby maintaining high conversion accuracy while enabling parallel operation for improved throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional voltage-domain sample-and-hold circuitry with a time-domain representation. By converting voltage information into time interval information, the system substitutes the vulnerable voltage holding mechanism with a more robust time measurement approach that is less susceptible to circuit characteristic variations.
2Volume of moving object
If LSIs are miniaturized to improve integration, then device size is reduced, but characteristic variations of analog circuits increase and degrade performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the traditional voltage-domain analog processing with time-domain processing. By measuring time intervals instead of holding and comparing voltages, the system achieves miniaturization benefits while avoiding the characteristic variation problems that plague miniaturized voltage-based analog circuits.
3Measurement precision
If sample-and-hold circuits are designed for high accuracy, then conversion accuracy is improved, but circuit complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex voltage-domain sample-and-hold circuits with a simpler time-domain measurement system. The voltage-to-time converter uses basic timing mechanisms rather than precision analog holding circuits, significantly reducing circuit complexity and power consumption while maintaining or improving accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If sample-and-hold circuits are designed for high accuracy, then conversion accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes power-hungry voltage holding and comparison operations with low-power time interval measurement. The time-to-digital conversion process consumes significantly less power than traditional high-precision sample-and-hold circuits, achieving the same or better accuracy with reduced energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An A/D converter having high accuracy and high throughput irrespective of characteristic variations of analog circuits is provided. The A/D converter includes a voltage-to-time converter configured to synchronize with a sampling clock signal and convert an input analog voltage to a time difference between two signals, and a plurality of time-to-digital converters each configured to convert the time difference between the two signals to a digital value. The plurality of time-to-digital converters operate in an interleaved manner.