SAR ADC Clock Delay Feedback for Stable Bit Conversion Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional analog-to-digital conversion methods are affected by process variation, voltage variation, and temperature variation, which degrade the performance of analog-to-digital converter devices due to fluctuations in the frequency of the clock signal generated by oscillators.
Innovation Solution
An analog-to-digital converter device comprising a digital-to-analog converter circuit, a comparator circuit, a SAR decision circuit, an oscillator circuit with a delay unit, and a processing circuit, which generates multiple bit conversion signals and adjusts the delay of the oscillator circuit using guard signals to maintain stable conversion cycles despite variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an oscillator is used to trigger the operation of circuit components in a conventional analog-to-digital conversion device, then the conversion operation can be performed, but the frequency of the clock signal generated by the oscillator is affected by process variation, voltage variation, and temperature variation, which degrades the performance of the conversion device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual conversion time is measured and used to adjust the oscillator frequency. A time measurement circuit measures the conversion time, and this measurement feeds back to control the oscillator, creating a closed-loop system that compensates for frequency variations caused by process, voltage, and temperature changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the oscillator frequency parameter based on measured conversion times. By changing the frequency parameter in response to environmental variations, the system maintains stable conversion performance despite changes in process, voltage, or temperature conditions.
2Productivity
If the oscillator frequency varies due to process, voltage, and temperature variation, then the conversion operation continues, but the conversion time becomes unstable and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures actual conversion times and uses this feedback to adjust the oscillator frequency, ensuring that conversion time remains stable. The measured conversion time directly controls the oscillator frequency, creating a self-regulating system that maintains consistent conversion timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by using its own conversion time measurements to control its oscillator frequency. The conversion device automatically compensates for its own timing variations without external intervention, improving both productivity and stability.
3Measurement precision
If a conventional oscillator-based conversion method is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the conversion accuracy is affected by clock signal frequency variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a time measurement circuit and feedback control mechanism to the conventional oscillator-based structure. This feedback system measures conversion times and adjusts the oscillator frequency accordingly, significantly improving conversion accuracy while adding only moderate circuit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the oscillator frequency parameter based on measured performance, transforming a static simple oscillator into an adaptive frequency source. This parameter adjustment approach improves measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple circuit architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An ADC device includes a DAC circuit, a comparator circuit, a SAR decision circuit, an oscillator circuit having a delay unit, and a processing circuit. The oscillator circuit is used for generating the clock signal according to a reset signal and a delay of the delay unit. The processing circuit is used for sequentially generating multiple bit conversion signals associated with multiple different bits of the decision signal, for generating at least one guard signal which follows the multiple bit conversion signals, and then for comparing the at least one guard signal with the reset signal to adjust the delay generated by the delay unit of the oscillator circuit.