Isolated ADC Single-Bit Modulation for Low-Latency Signal Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing isolated analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuits face challenges in transmitting multi-bit digital signals across isolators while maintaining resilience, flexibility in synchronization, and minimizing latency, as they are vulnerable to electromagnetic interference and require additional complexity and power due to the need for multiple isolators and synchronization signals.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a digital modulator on the hot side of the ADC circuit converts the multi-bit digital signal to a single-bit stream, which is transmitted across the isolator without a clock or synchronization signal, allowing a filter on the cold side to reconstruct the multi-bit signal with minimal impact from interference and reduced latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-bit digital signals are transmitted directly across the isolator, then data rate is maintained, but the system becomes vulnerable to electromagnetic interference and requires additional isolators and synchronization signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from the data transmission path by using the clock signal itself as the synchronization reference. The receiver recovers synchronization by detecting edges in the incoming data stream, eliminating the need for separate synchronization signals and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a serial interface as an intermediary between the isolated sides, converting parallel multi-bit data into a serial single-bit stream. This serial transmission acts as a mediator that naturally provides synchronization through clock recovery and reduces vulnerability to electromagnetic interference by using differential signaling
2Reliability
If multiple isolators and synchronization signals are used to maintain signal integrity, then reliability is improved, but power consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clock signal serves multiple functions simultaneously: it clocks the transmitter, provides synchronization reference for the receiver, and enables clock recovery. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate synchronization signals, reducing power consumption while maintaining signal integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses itself to provide synchronization - the incoming data stream contains its own synchronization information through edge detection. The receiver recovers the clock signal from the data stream itself, eliminating the need for external synchronization signals and reducing overall system power consumption
3Ease of operation
If synchronization signals are transmitted with data, then data transmission is synchronized, but latency increases due to additional signal processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes synchronization in advance by using the clock signal that already exists in the system. The receiver is pre-configured to detect edges and recover clock signals from the incoming stream, enabling immediate synchronization without additional processing latency
Data Source
AI summary
Various examples are directed to isolated analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuits comprising a first side that is separated from a second side by an isolator. A first ADC positioned on the first side may be configured to convert a first analog input signal to a first side multi-bit digital signal. A digital modulator on the first side may be configured to convert the first side multi-bit digital signal to a first single-bit stream. A first filter positioned on the second side may be configured to receive the first single-bit stream across the first isolator and to generate a first reconstructed multi-bit digital signal using the first single-bit stream.