Patent · US Expired

DNL/INL trim techniques for comparator based analog to digital converters

US7154421B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
13References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 12, 2004
Grant dateDec 26, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 9, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03M1/363
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A trimmable comparator. The novel comparator includes a first circuit for comparing first and second input signals and in accordance therewith generating first and second output signals, and a second circuit for adding an adjustable current to the first output signal such that the comparator is in a transition state when the first and/or second input signals are at desired levels. The comparator may also include a third circuit for adding an adjustable current to the second output signal. In the illustrative embodiments, the second and third circuits are implemented using adjustable current sources with trimmable resistors, or using digital to analog converters. The novel comparators may be used in an analog to digital converter to allow the converter thresholds to be adjusted to desired levels.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.