ADC with low-power sampling

US7944387B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Frank Ohnhaeuser · Stein, DE
• Andreas Wickmann · Nuremberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 14, 2010
• Grant date: May 17, 2011
• Expiry date: Jan 14, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H03M1/804
• WIPO field: Basic communication processes
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for analog-to-digital conversion using successive approximation is provided, which is adapted to be supplied with a single ended supply voltage. The device includes: a first analog-to-digital conversion stage including a first set of capacitors coupled with a side at a common node and adapted to sample an input voltage and to be coupled to either a first reference voltage level or a second reference voltage level, at least one capacitor of the first set of capacitors being adapted to be left floating, a control stage being adapted to connect the at least one floating capacitor to the first reference voltage level or the second reference voltage level in response to an analog-to-digital conversion decision made by a second analog-to-digital conversion stage. The first analog-to-digital conversion stage is operable to couple the common node to a supply voltage level, in particular ground, during analog-to-digital conversion.