Pipelined ADC Calibration Using Scaled-Input Homogeneity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional calibration processes for pipelined analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) require highly accurate signal generators and are typically performed at the factory, making on-demand field calibration challenging and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for calibrating pipelined ADCs using a parameter vector update process that involves providing an input signal, converting it into a first digital output, scaling the signal, converting the scaled signal into a second digital output, and calibrating the ADC using both outputs, allowing for on-demand calibration without a highly accurate signal generator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional calibration processes are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to requiring highly accurate signal generators and special hardware setup
Solution Approach 1:
The ADC system performs self-calibration using its own internal resources. The calibration process uses the ADC's existing output stages and digital processing capabilities to generate and process calibration signals, eliminating the need for external highly accurate signal generators and special hardware setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process leverages the existing multi-functional output stages of the pipelined ADC for both normal conversion operations and calibration functions. The same hardware infrastructure serves dual purposes, reducing the need for dedicated calibration hardware and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional calibration processes are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to requiring factory-based calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables field calibration by using self-service capabilities, where the ADC calibrates itself using internally generated signals and digital processing. This eliminates the requirement for factory-based calibration and allows users to perform calibration operations independently in the field.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process is designed to be performed preliminarily during manufacturing but can be repeated on-demand in the field. The system maintains the capability to execute calibration operations at any time, ensuring long-term accuracy without requiring return to the manufacturing environment.
3Measurement precision
If traditional calibration processes are used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to calibration being performed only at factory
Solution Approach 1:
The ADC performs self-calibration operations that can be triggered on-demand, allowing the system to maintain measurement precision over time without external intervention. This continuous self-maintenance capability reduces the time loss associated with periodic factory recalibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration capability is maintained continuously available in the field, allowing calibration to be performed whenever needed rather than only during initial manufacturing. This continuous availability ensures measurement precision is maintained throughout the ADC's operational lifetime without interruption to service schedules.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a pipelined analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having a plurality of output stages includes: performing a first calibration process for the pipelined ADC to update a parameter vector of the pipelined ADC, where components of the parameter vector are used for correcting nonlinearity of the pipelined ADC, where performing the first calibration process includes: providing an input signal to the pipelined ADC; converting, by the pipelined ADC, the input signal into a first digital output; providing a scaled version of the input signal to the pipelined ADC, where the scaled version of the input signal is generated by scaling the input signal by a scale factor; converting, by the pipelined ADC, the scaled version of the input signal into a second digital output; and calibrating the pipelined ADC using the first digital output and the second digital output.