Multi-Zone Data Converter Transfer Functions for Lower Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data converters are expensive and power hungry, with high performance requirements in all operational zones, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multi-zone data converters with segmented transfer functions, where performance criteria are relaxed in outer zones and more stringent in central zones, using customized components such as comparators and current sources based on the digital or analog input ranges, allowing for cost savings by using simpler and less power-consuming circuitry in low and high-range signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high performance requirements are applied to all operational zones, then overall system performance is improved, but cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different performance criteria to different operational zones of the data converter. The central zone uses high-performance components with stringent specifications, while outer zones use lower-performance components with relaxed specifications. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve adequate overall performance while significantly reducing power consumption and cost compared to uniformly high-performance design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the operational range of the data converter into multiple zones (central zone and outer zones). Each zone is handled by different circuitry with appropriate performance levels. This segmentation allows the system to avoid the excessive power consumption and cost of applying high-performance requirements uniformly across all operational zones.
2Reliability
If high performance requirements are applied to all operational zones, then overall system performance is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different performance requirements to different operational zones. The central zone, which handles the most common signal levels, uses high-performance components. The outer zones, which handle less frequent high or low signal levels, use lower-performance, lower-cost components. This approach maintains system performance where it matters most while reducing overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cheaper components for the outer zones where high performance is less critical. These lower-cost components are sufficient for handling the less frequent high and low signal levels, reducing the overall bill of materials cost while maintaining adequate system performance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If simpler components are used in outer zones, then cost and power consumption are reduced, but performance in those zones deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts localized performance deterioration in outer zones as a trade-off for reduced power consumption and cost. The design philosophy is that perfect performance in all zones is unnecessary - the central zone handles the majority of operational cases and requires high performance, while outer zones can tolerate relaxed performance specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing high-performance processing only where it is most needed (central zone), rather than excessive action which would apply high-performance processing uniformly across all zones. This partial approach achieves the optimal balance between performance, power, and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of a method and system for data converters having a transfer function with multiple operating zones. In some embodiments, an operating zone of the multiple operating zones is characterized by more stringent performance criteria than the other operating zones. Thus, such data converters may receive an input signal and generate an output signal from the input signal per the transfer function and the more stringent performance criteria in the appropriate operating zone.