Selectively configurable analog signal sampler
US6031399A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C27/026
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A selectively configurable analog signal sampler, e.g., for use in an imaging system, for generating a differential sampled analog output signal which corresponds to a single-ended analog input signal with one or more signal characteristics including a positive signal polarity, a negative signal polarity, a return-to-reference signal waveform and a non-return-to-reference signal waveform. A switched capacitor matrix is configured, along with an operational amplifier with differential inputs and outputs, to allow all single-ended analog input signals with such signal characteristics to be sampled and converted to corresponding differential sampled analog output signals. Additionally, an accumulation mode of operation is provided in which the signal sampler accumulates N successive samples of the input signal and outputs the sum of such N samples, thereby allowing the signal sampler to operate at its rated speed while the circuit providing the input signal, e.g., an image sensor, operates at N-times such speed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.