Programmable Voltage Amplifier for Wide-Range Linear ADC Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pipeline analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) face limitations in amplifying input signals beyond the maximum supply voltage, requiring laborious calibration to prevent uncontrolled shifts in operating points, and cannot be switched on and off suddenly due to these limitations.
Innovation Solution
A voltage amplifier with variable operating points allows for linear amplification of input voltage signals across different ranges by shifting them into defined amplifiable ranges, using multiple amplifiers with shared or overlapping ranges to achieve continuous or discrete signal amplification, and includes a control stage, input reference resistor arrangement, and amplifier circuit to transform and amplify the signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pipeline ADCs use feedback to amplify input signals beyond maximum supply voltage, then the amplification range is improved, but the device requires laborious calibration and cannot be switched on and off suddenly due to operating point shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the input voltage range into multiple segments, each handled by a dedicated amplifier with a fixed operating point optimized for that segment. Instead of using a single amplifier with feedback that requires calibration, multiple amplifiers work in parallel, each amplifying a specific portion of the input range linearly without requiring calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically selects which amplifier to use based on the input voltage level by controlling the switching elements (first and second switching elements) that connect the input signal to the appropriate amplifier. This dynamic switching allows the system to adapt to different input ranges without requiring calibration, as each amplifier operates within its linear range.
2Device complexity
If a single amplifier is used with fixed operating point, then the device complexity is reduced, but the linear amplification range is limited to the maximum supply voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple amplifiers with different operating points into a single integrated circuit structure. These amplifiers are merged in parallel, with switching elements that direct the input signal to the appropriate amplifier based on the input voltage level. This merging approach achieves extended linear amplification range while maintaining a unified device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal amplifier system that can handle multiple voltage ranges through a single multi-functional amplifier circuit. By incorporating multiple amplifiers with different operating points and using switching elements to select the appropriate amplifier, the system achieves multi-functionality, allowing linear amplification across a broader voltage range than any single amplifier could provide alone.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a voltage amplifier (100, 300) that places defined ranges (12, 14) of an input voltage signal (10) in different relations in terms of the input voltage signal (10) at one or more operating points of an amplifier circuit (130). An appropriate division of the ranges (12, 14) of the input voltage signal (10) makes it possible to linearly amplify the appertaining ranges (12, 14). Such linearly amplified output signals (191, 192, 193, 194) can then be converted into digital signals (531), for example, by means of several analog-to-digital converters (510).