Pipeline A/D Converter Residue Range Control Without Limiters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pipeline A/D converters with shared amplifier configurations face errors due to lack of resetting, leading to large potential differences between differential input terminals, which results in significant errors over multiple cycles, and the use of limiter circuits to prevent errors increases area and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline A/D converter with error correction circuits that include sub ADCs and sub DACs, where the first sub DAC outputs a sub analog signal within a predetermined voltage range even if the input signal exceeds the input voltage range, reducing the need for limiter circuits and minimizing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a shared amplifier configuration is used to reduce area and power consumption, then area and power consumption are reduced, but no resetting period is available leading to large potential differences and significant errors over multiple cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a resetting mechanism that is activated in advance before excessive input signals cause error accumulation. The resetting circuit proactively clears potential differences at differential input terminals before they can grow into significant errors during shared amplifier operation cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a resetting circuit that monitors the state of the shared amplifier and actively intervenes to reset potential differences at the differential input terminals. This feedback mechanism ensures that errors do not accumulate over multiple conversion cycles when the same amplifier serves multiple pipeline stages.
2Reliability
If limiter circuits are added to prevent errors from excessive input signals, then conversion accuracy is improved, but area and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the limiter function with the existing shared amplifier structure by integrating a resetting circuit into the amplifier's operation. Instead of adding separate limiter circuits before each pipeline stage, the resetting mechanism is combined with the shared amplifier itself, allowing one circuit to serve multiple functions across multiple stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The resetting circuit serves multiple pipeline stages universally, clearing potential differences at differential input terminals for all stages that share the amplifier. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for individual limiter circuits at each stage, reducing overall area and power consumption while maintaining conversion accuracy.
3Reliability
If limiter circuits are added to prevent errors, then conversion accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases due to additional circuits and delay paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the error prevention function into the shared amplifier's resetting mechanism, eliminating the need for separate limiter circuits. This integration reduces the number of active components and delay paths, thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining conversion accuracy across multiple pipeline stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The resetting circuit provides universal error prevention for all pipeline stages sharing the amplifier, replacing multiple individual limiter circuits. This multi-functional approach reduces total power consumption by eliminating redundant circuits and their associated delay paths while ensuring accurate conversion across all stages.
Data Source
AI summary
A first stage of a pipeline A/D converter is configured to output a sub analog signal at a level within a predetermined output voltage range even if a level of an input analog signal exceeds a predetermined input voltage range. Therefore, as compared with an example where a limiter circuit is provided on an input side of each stage, a pipeline A/D converter occupying a small area, consuming low power, and having small errors can be provided.