Sampled Closed-Loop Amplifier Control for Fine Gain Regulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closed loop control systems face challenges in achieving fine control and large offset regulation without the need for high-resolution and wide-range digital to analog converters, which are costly and have a large footprint on integrated circuits.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with a processing circuit that receives demand and feedback signals, performing integrating functions in a sampled manner using discrete time processing, allowing for design flexibility and reduced component size, and synthesizing integrator time constants using programmable resistor-capacitor combinations, including switched capacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-resolution digital to analog converter is used to achieve fine control and large offset regulation, then control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control function into two separate components: a coarse control digital-to-analog converter that handles large offset values with lower resolution, and a fine control voltage generator that provides precise adjustments. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, avoiding the need for a single high-resolution converter while achieving both fine control and large offset capability.
2Measurement precision
If a high-resolution digital to analog converter is used to achieve fine control and large offset regulation, then control precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the converter into a coarse control DAC and a fine control voltage generator, the patent reduces the resolution requirement for the main DAC, making it cheaper to manufacture. The fine control function is implemented through a simpler voltage generator circuit rather than requiring additional high-resolution DAC bits, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining control precision.
3Measurement precision
If a high-resolution digital to analog converter is used to achieve fine control and large offset regulation, then control precision is improved, but device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function into a coarse DAC with smaller footprint and a compact fine control voltage generator. This segmentation allows the system to achieve fine control capability without requiring a large high-resolution DAC, thereby reducing the overall device footprint while maintaining the ability to provide both fine control and large offset regulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus is provided that can provide high dynamic resolution and is suitable for inclusion within an integrated circuit. The control apparatus receives a demand signal representing a desired value of a measurand, and a feedback signal representing a present value or a recently acquired value of the measurand. The processing circuit forms a further signal a further signal which is a function of the demand and feedback signals. The further signal is then subjected to at least an integrating function. The demand signal, feedback signal or the further signal is processed or acquired in a sampled manner. The use of such sampled, i.e. discontinuous, processing allows integration time constants to be synthesized which would otherwise require the use of unfeasibly large components within an integrated circuit, or the use of off-chop components. Both of these other options are expensive.