Readout Circuit Feedback Segmentation for Wide Dynamic Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a trade-off between detection resolution and detectable range in sensing systems, with high resolution systems having low range and high range systems having low resolution, and existing solutions with moderate ADCs are either limited to wide-range low amplification or narrow-range high amplification, and high-resolution ADCs suffer from low-speed data rate and complex implementation.
Innovation Solution
A sensing apparatus with a readout circuit that includes a differential circuit, amplifier circuitry, moderate-resolution ADC, and feedback circuit, which generates a multi-bit digital output by combining the least significant bits from the ADC with most significant bits from the feedback circuit, achieving a wide dynamic range without the complexity and size issues of high-resolution ADCs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-resolution ADC is used to achieve wide dynamic range detection, then the detection resolution is improved, but the data rate decreases and the implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dynamic range detection task into two parts: a moderate-resolution ADC handles the least significant bits (LSBs) for fine resolution, while a separate feedback circuit handles the most significant bits (MSBs) for wide range. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high effective resolution without using a single high-resolution ADC, thereby maintaining high data rates and simplifying implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a feedback circuit as an intermediary component that works in conjunction with the moderate-resolution ADC. The feedback circuit generates a feedback signal based on the digital output from the ADC, and this feedback signal is subtracted from the input signal to extract the MSBs. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to achieve wide dynamic range detection without requiring a high-resolution ADC, thus maintaining high data rates and reducing implementation complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a high-resolution ADC is used to achieve wide dynamic range detection, then the detection resolution is improved, but the implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dynamic range detection task into two parts: a moderate-resolution ADC handles the least significant bits (LSBs) for fine resolution, while a separate feedback circuit handles the most significant bits (MSBs) for wide range. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high effective resolution without using a single high-resolution ADC, thereby maintaining high data rates and simplifying implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive and complex high-resolution ADC with a combination of a moderate-resolution ADC (cheaper, simpler component) and a feedback circuit. This substitution achieves the same functional outcome (wide dynamic range detection) with lower-cost, simpler components that are easier to implement and manufacture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a tunable amplifier with moderate ADC is used, then the detectable range is improved, but the system can only be used for either wide-range low amplification or narrow-range high amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the feedback circuit continuously adjusts the feedback signal based on the digital output from the ADC. This dynamic feedback mechanism automatically adapts the amplification gain across the entire dynamic range, eliminating the need for manual or mechanical tuning of the amplifier. The system dynamically switches between wide-range low amplification and narrow-range high amplification modes without requiring complex external control circuitry.
Data Source
AI summary
A readout circuit that includes an amplifier circuitry, an analog-to-digital converter, a feedback circuit and a control logic is introduced. The amplifier circuitry may receive and amplify a differential signal that is obtained according to an input signal and a feedback signal to generate an amplified signal. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to convert the amplified signal to generate a n-bit digital code, wherein n is a positive integer. The feedback circuit is configured to search and generate a m-bit digital code based on a value of the n-bit digital code and convert the m-bit digital code to generate the feedback signal, wherein m is a positive integer. The control logic is coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and the feedback circuit, and configured to control the analog-to-digital converter and the feedback circuit. A multi-bit digital output of the readout circuit is generated according to the n-bit digital code and the m-bit digital code.