Tracking analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with a self-controlled variable clock

US8358231B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR INC. · DE

Inventors

• Dirk Killat · Kirchheim unter Teck, DE
• Huang Yan · Shanghai, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: May 11, 2011
• Grant date: Jan 22, 2013
• Expiry date: Aug 5, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H03M1/48
• WIPO field: Basic communication processes
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A tracking analog-to-digital converter “ADC” with a self-controlled variable clock comprises: a digital register; a digital-to-analog converter “DAC” coupled to said digital register providing an analog feedback signal; a comparator coupled to an analog input signal and said analog feedback signal and providing a comparison signal based on a comparison between said analog input signal and said analog feedback signal, said comparison signal being coupled to the digital register; a means for determining comparator readiness to determine if said comparator is ready, indicating that said comparison signal can be reliably read, said means for determining comparator readiness further comprising a determination of a comparison ready indicator; a means for clocking to generate a clock signal to drive said digital register in response to said means for determining comparator readiness determining that said comparator is ready; and said digital register being configured to count in response to said clock signal based on said comparison signal of the comparator.