Storage cell ring-based time-to-digital converter
US10965294B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2019 |
| Grant date | Mar 30, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C27/04
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In described examples, a storage cell ring includes circularly coupled storage cells. Each storage cell includes a respective capacitor for generating a respective integrated voltage responsive to a respective duration a respective storage cell is selected, a respective thresholding converter for generating a respective thresholded signal for indicating whether the respective integrated voltage has crossed a threshold, and respective selection circuitry configured to generate a respective select signal responsive to select signals generated by a respective adjacent storage cells. The ring is coupled to an analog quantifier for generating a conversion value responsive to the generated respective integrated voltage and a respective select signal. The ring is coupled to a loop counter for generating a loop count value responsive to changes of values of at least some of the respective thresholded signals. The conversion value and the loop count value can comprise a time measurement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.