Variable-Resolution ADC Control for Lower Power Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining high resolution, particularly in converting full-scale analog signals and after synchronization is established, as they often require all stages to operate independently, leading to increased power usage.
Innovation Solution
An analog-to-digital conversion device that includes a signal characteristic detection unit to determine the required resolution based on the input signal's characteristics, a control signal generation unit to set the necessary operations, and an analog-to-digital conversion unit that restricts operations according to the control signal, allowing for dynamic adjustment of resolution and power usage based on signal strength or degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the number of comparators is reduced to lower than the number of reference voltages, then the circuit scale and power consumption are reduced, but the ability to convert full scale analog signals at high resolution is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the resolution of the ADC variable rather than fixed. The resolution is dynamically adjusted based on the signal characteristics detected by the signal characteristic detection unit. When the input signal has high S/N ratio or is a synchronization signal, lower resolution is used to reduce power consumption. When high precision conversion is required, the resolution is increased. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between power consumption and conversion resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of resolution from a fixed value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted according to signal conditions. The control signal generation unit generates control signals that modify the operational parameters of the ADC stages based on detected signal characteristics, enabling the system to adapt resolution to match actual conversion requirements, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining high resolution when needed.
2Measurement precision
If all conversion stages operate independently to maintain high resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having only the necessary number of conversion stages operate at any given time, rather than all stages operating continuously. The control signal generation unit determines which stages should be active based on the required resolution for the current signal. When lower resolution is sufficient, fewer stages are activated, reducing power consumption while still achieving the required conversion precision through the active stages.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If variable resolution is implemented with separate operation of sample hold units, then power consumption is reduced for stopped units, but the configuration where all conversion stages always operate prevents sufficient power suppression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the ADC into multiple independent conversion stages that can be controlled separately. Each stage can be independently activated or deactivated based on the required resolution. This segmentation allows the system to power down unnecessary stages while keeping essential ones active, achieving power reduction without excessive control complexity through modular stage design.
Data Source
AI summary
An analog-to-digital conversion device which converts an analog input signal into a digital signal and output it includes a signal characteristic detection unit for detecting a predetermined characteristic of the input signal; a control signal generation unit for setting a resolution based on the signal characteristic detected by the signal characteristic detection unit, generating a control signal that indicates only an operation required for performing the analog-to-digital conversion at the resolution, and outputting it; and an analog-to-digital conversion unit for restricting the operation based on the control signal and converting the input signal into the digital signal at the set resolution.