IP Library Granted Patent US 7,459,942
Granted Patent B2
US 7,459,942 · App. 11/454,435 · Granted Dec 2, 2008

Sampled-data circuits using zero crossing detection

Assignee: Cambridge Analog Technologies, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,459,942
App. No.
11/454,435
Granted
Dec 2, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sampled-data analog circuit includes a level-crossing detector. The level-crossing detector controls sampling switches to provide a precise sample of the output voltage when the level-crossing detector senses the predetermined level crossing of the input signal. The level-crossing detection may be a zero-crossing detection. An optional common-mode feedback circuit can keep the output common-mode voltage substantially constant.

Claims (28)

1. A differential switched-capacitor circuit, comprising:

a level-crossing detector to generate a level-crossing detection signal when a difference between first and second input signals crosses a predetermined level;

a plurality of capacitors, operatively coupled to said level-crossing detector;

a sampling switch, operatively coupled to a first output of said level-crossing detector; and

a waveform generator, operatively coupled to said plurality of capacitors and to an input of said level-crossing detector, to produce a predetermined waveform to be applied to the input of said level-crossing detector in response to a second output signal of said level-crossing detector.

2. The differential switched-capacitor circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said level-crossing detector is a zero-crossing detector.

3. The differential switched-capacitor circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said waveform generator produces a plurality of predetermined waveforms.

4. The differential switched-capacitor circuit as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said waveform generator provides said one of said plurality of predetermined waveforms to compensate for a voltage error generated by a finite delay associated with said level-crossing detector.

5. The differential switched-capacitor circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said predetermined waveform is a ramp waveform.

6. A differential switched-capacitor circuit, comprising:

a first level-crossing detector to generate a level-crossing detection signal when a difference between first and second input signals crosses a first predetermined level;

a second level-crossing detector to generate a second level-crossing detection signal when a difference between said first and second input signals crosses a second predetermined level;

a plurality of capacitors, operatively coupled to said first and second level-crossing detectors;

a sampling switch, operatively coupled to a first output of said second level-crossing detector; and

a waveform generator, operatively coupled to said plurality of capacitors and to an input of said first and second level-crossing detectors, to produce a predetermined waveform to be applied to the input of said first and second level-crossing detectors in response to a second output signal of said first level-crossing detector.

7. The differential switched-capacitor circuit as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said first and second level-crossing detectors are zero-crossing detectors.

8. The differential switched-capacitor circuit as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said waveform generator produces a plurality of predetermined waveforms.

9. The differential switched-capacitor circuit as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said waveform generator provides said one of said plurality of predetermined waveforms to compensate for a voltage error generated by a finite delay associated with said first and second level-crossing detectors.

10. The differential switched-capacitor circuit as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said predetermined waveform is a ramp waveform.

11. A differential switched capacitor circuit, comprising:

a first switched capacitance network having an input terminal to receive a circuit input voltage;

a level-crossing detector, having an output terminal and an input terminal, to generate a level-crossing detection signal when a difference between first and second input signals crosses a predetermined level;

a second switched capacitance network operatively coupled to a first output of said level-crossing detector; and

a waveform generator, operatively coupled to said second switched capacitance network and to an input of said level-crossing detector, to produce a predetermined waveform to be applied to the input of said level-crossing detector in response to a second output signal of said level-crossing detector.

12. The differential switched-capacitor circuit as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said level-crossing detector is a zero-crossing detector.

13. The differential switched-capacitor circuit as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said waveform generator produces a plurality of predetermined waveforms.

14. The differential switched-capacitor circuit as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said waveform generator provides said one of said plurality of predetermined waveforms to compensate for a voltage error generated by a finite delay associated with said level-crossing detector.

15. The differential switched-capacitor circuit as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said predetermined waveform is a ramp waveform.

Assignments (3)
MERGER Recorded Jan 10, 2012
From: CAMBRIDGE ANALOG TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 027507/0758 →
MERGER Recorded Dec 28, 2007
From: CAMBRIDGE ANALOG TECHNOLOGY, LLC
To: CAMBRIDGE ANALOG TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 020299/0317 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2006
From: LEE, HAE-SEUNG
To: CAMBRIDGE ANALOG TECHNOLOGY, LLC
Reel/Frame 017977/0528 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 6059549300 · Jul 11, 2005
Provisional Application 6059541400 · Jul 1, 2005
Related Publication 20070001518A1 · Jan 4, 2007