Pseudo-Multiple ADC Sampling for Noise Reduction Without Extra Hardware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) face challenges in reducing noise in digital output signals due to uncorrelated noise in analog inputs and within the conversion process, which can increase conversion time and hardware complexity when using multiple sampling techniques.
Innovation Solution
The method involves repeatedly sampling an analog signal at a resolution lower than the predetermined number of bits, using a series of ramp-up and ramp-down voltages, and summing the results to obtain the digital value, known as pseudo-multiple sampling, which reduces noise without the need for additional hardware or increased conversion time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional multiple sampling technique is used to reduce noise, then noise is reduced, but conversion time increases and hardware complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high-resolution conversion process into multiple low-resolution sampling stages. Instead of performing one high-resolution conversion, the system performs multiple conversions at reduced resolution (e.g., using fewer quantization levels), then combines the results through digital processing to achieve the desired high-resolution output. This segmentation reduces the complexity of each individual conversion operation while maintaining overall precision through post-processing combination of results.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional multiple sampling technique is used to reduce noise, then noise is reduced, but conversion time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing multiple sampling operations at reduced resolution rather than full resolution. Each sampling operation uses fewer quantization levels (e.g., sampling at N/2 bits instead of N bits), which reduces the time required for each individual conversion. The partial precision of each sample is sufficient when combined with other samples to reconstruct the full-resolution signal, thereby reducing total conversion time while maintaining accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sampling is performed at high resolution, then accurate conversion is achieved, but noise reduction effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the resolution parameter dynamically across multiple sampling operations. Instead of maintaining constant high resolution throughout, the system varies the quantization level parameter for each sampling operation, performing conversions at different reduced resolutions (e.g., N/2, N/4, N/8 bits). This parameter variation allows the system to capture different aspects of the signal while reducing noise through the combination of multiple measurements taken at different precision levels, ultimately achieving both accuracy and noise reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
An analog signal is converted to a digital value having a given number of bits that define given quantization levels, by repeatedly sampling the analog signal at a resolution that is less than that which is defined by the given number of bits. Lower resolution sampling results are thereby obtained. The lower resolution sampling results are summed to obtain the digital value having the given number of bits.