Subranging technique using superconducting technology
US6509853B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03M1/14
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Subranging techniques using “digital SQUIDs” are used to design systems with large dynamic range, high resolution and large bandwidth. Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) embodying the invention include a first SQUID based “coarse” resolution circuit and a second SQUID based “fine” resolution circuit to convert an analog input signal into “coarse” and “fine” digital signals for subsequent processing. In one embodiment, an ADC includes circuitry for supplying an analog input signal to an input coil having at least a first inductive section and a second inductive section. A first superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) is coupled to the first inductive section and a second SQUID is coupled to the second inductive section. The first SQUID is designed to produce “coarse” (large amplitude, low resolution) output signals and the second SQUID is designed to produce “fine” (low amplitude, high resolution) output signals in response to the analog input signals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.