Open pin detection for analog-to-digital converter

US10574258B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Infineon Technologies AG · DE

Inventors

• Siegfried Albel · Arriach, AT
• Matthias Bogus · Munich, DE
• Christian Heiling · Graz, AT
• Jaafar Mejri · Ottobrunn, DE
• Markus Zannoth · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 17, 2019
• Grant date: Feb 25, 2020
• Expiry date: Apr 17, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H03M7/30
• WIPO field: Basic communication processes
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method includes applying a current to an input pin of an integrated circuit; converting an analog signal at the input pin to a digital stream using a Sigma-Delta modulator; converting the digital stream to a first digital output signal proportional to the analog signal in a first input range between a first analog signal value and a second analog signal value, where the first input range corresponds to a pre-determined range of the analog signal smaller than a full-scale input range of the analog signal; converting the digital stream to a second output signal; comparing the second output signal to a first threshold corresponding to a third analog signal value at the input pin that is outside of the first input range; and providing an indication of an open circuit condition at the input pin when the second output signal crosses the first threshold.