IP Library Granted Patent US 6,963,299
Granted Patent B2
US 6,963,299 · App. 10/935,099 · Granted Nov 8, 2005

AD conversion method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,963,299
App. No.
10/935,099
Granted
Nov 8, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

At step S 1 , an analog signal is input. At step S 2 , a high potential and a low potential input to a DA converter are respectively selected. At step S 3 , a first AD conversion of the analog signal is performed. At step S 4 , a voltage range is narrowed down by respectively switching the high potential and the low potential on the basis of conversion data from the first AD conversion. At step S 5 , a second AD conversion of the analog signal is performed. At step S 6 , the conversion data from the first AD conversion and conversion data from the second AD conversion are combined to be output as a single digital signal.

Claims (45)

1. An AD conversion method using an AD converter, said AD converter comprising:

an analog input terminal to which a first analog signal to be subjected to AD conversion is input;

a DA converter having a resolution of prescribed bits and applied with a high potential and a low potential;

a comparator performing a comparison operation between a second analog signal output from said DA converter and said first analog signal; and

a digital output terminal outputting a digital signal on the basis of a comparison result output from said comparator,

said AD conversion method comprising the steps of:

(a) inputting said first analog signal from said analog input terminal;

(b) obtaining a first comparison result by performing said comparison operation with a prescribed first high potential and a prescribed first low potential being supplied to said DA converter;

(c) switching said first high potential and said first low potential supplied to said DA converter to a second high potential and a second low potential, respectively, on the basis of said first comparison result;

(d) obtaining a second comparison result by performing said comparison operation after said step (c); and

(e) generating a digital signal on the basis of said first and second comparison results and outputting said digital signal from said digital output terminal.

2. The AD conversion method according to claim 1 , wherein

said step (b) comprises the step of obtaining said first comparison result that only corresponds to prescribed high order bits.

3. The AD conversion method according to claim 1 , wherein

said step (e) comprises the steps of:

storing said first comparison result in the high order bit part in a register; and

storing said second comparison result in the low order bit part in said register.

4. The AD conversion method according to claim 2 , wherein

said step (e) comprises the steps of:

storing said first comparison result in the high order bit part in a register; and

storing said second comparison result in the low order bit part in said register.

5. The AD conversion method according to claim 1 , wherein

said second high potential and said second low potential are generated using a voltage down converter.

6. The AD conversion method according to claim 2 , wherein

said second high potential and said second low potential are generated using a voltage down converter.

7. The AD conversion method according to claim 3 , wherein

said second high potential and said second low potential are generated using a voltage down converter.

8. The AD conversion method according to claim 4 , wherein

said second high potential and said second low potential are generated using a voltage down converter.

9. The AD conversion method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

waiting a prescribed time interval after said step (c) to thereby stabilize a power supply potential supplying said second high potential and said second low potential.

10. The AD conversion method according to claim 2 , further comprising the step of:

waiting a prescribed time interval after said step (c) to thereby stabilize a power supply potential supplying said second high potential and said second low potential.

11. The AD conversion method according to claim 3 , further comprising the step of:

waiting a prescribed time interval after said step (c) to thereby stabilize a power supply potential supplying said second high potential and said second low potential.

12. The AD conversion method according to claim 4 , further comprising the step of:

waiting a prescribed time interval after said step (c) to thereby stabilize a power supply potential supplying said second high potential and said second low potential.

13. The AD conversion method according to claim 5 , further comprising the step of:

waiting a prescribed time interval after said step (c) to thereby stabilize a power supply potential supplying said second high potential and said second low potential.

14. The AD conversion method according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of:

waiting a prescribed time interval after said step (c) to thereby stabilize a power supply potential supplying said second high potential and said second low potential.

15. The AD conversion method according to claim 7 , further comprising the step of:

waiting a prescribed time interval after said step (c) to thereby stabilize a power supply potential supplying said second high potential and said second low potential.

16. The AD conversion method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of:

waiting a prescribed time interval after said step (c) to thereby stabilize a power supply potential supplying said second high potential and said second low potential.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 9, 2010
From: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025008/0390 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2004
From: INOUE, HIDEO
To: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
Reel/Frame 015781/0780 →