A/D converter with zero power mode
US5294928A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03M1/804
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A semiconductor microcontroller includes the capability to perform analog to digital conversions of an analog signal representative of a variable parameter indicative of the need to exercise a control function. While the analog to digital conversions are being performed, the microcontroller processor can be placed in a sleep mode which eliminates noise arising from switching activities of the processor as a source of inaccuracy in the conversion process. At the end of the conversion, the analog to digital converter can either shut itself down or wake up the processor. Alternatively, the converter may shut itself down in response to a different user selected control signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.