IP Library Granted Patent US 7,859,446
Granted Patent B2
US 7,859,446 · App. 12/457,572 · Granted Dec 28, 2010

AD converter and AD conversion method

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,859,446
App. No.
12/457,572
Granted
Dec 28, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

An exemplary object of the present invention is to achieve both of high-speed operation by parallel processing and a simple configuration by sequential comparison processing, so as to realize high accuracy of AD conversion processing. An AD converter according to the present invention includes a parallel-type AD converting unit that generates an upper bit digital signal composed of a plurality of bits by parallel processing based on an input analog signal input from a predetermined input circuit, a sequential comparison type AD converting unit that generates a digital signal by sequential comparison processing based on a converted analog signal that is generated by converting the upper bit digital signal into an analog signal, and a reconversion controller that detects an indefinite bit included in the upper bit digital signal and reconverts the indefinite bit by the sequential comparison type AD converting unit.

Claims (19)

1. An AD converter comprising:

a parallel-type AD converting unit that generates an upper bit digital signal composed of a plurality of bits by parallel processing based on an input analog signal input from a predetermined input circuit;

a sequential comparison type AD converting unit that generates a digital signal by sequential comparison processing based on a converted analog signal that is generated by converting the upper bit digital signal into an analog signal; and

a reconversion controller that detects an indefinite bit included in the upper bit digital signal and reconverts the indefinite bit by the sequential comparison type AD converting unit.

2. The AD converter according to claim 1 , wherein the reconversion controller comprises an indefinite bit detecting unit that sets a comparison digit string based on the upper bit digital signal and compares the upper bit digital signal with the comparison digit string for each bit, so as to detect the indefinite bit.

3. The AD converter according to claim 2 , wherein the indefinite bit detecting unit judges a bit position as the indefinite bit when at least one of a plurality of values of the upper bit digital signal and the comparison digit string that correspond to the same bit position is different.

4. The AD converter according to claim 2 , wherein the comparison digit string is set by subtracting a compared correction value composed of any integer from the upper bit digital signal or by adding the compared correction value to the upper bit digital signal.

5. The AD converter according to claim 4 , wherein the compared correction value is 1.

6. An AD conversion method comprising:

generating an upper bit digital signal composed of a plurality of bits by parallel processing based on an input analog signal input from a predetermined input circuit;

generating a digital signal by sequential comparison processing based on a converted analog signal that is generated by converting the upper bit digital signal into an analog signal;

detecting an indefinite bit included in the upper bit digital signal; and

reconverting the indefinite bit by the sequential comparison processing.

7. The AD conversion method according to claim 6 , further comprising

setting a comparison digit string based on the upper bit digital signal and comparing the upper bit digital signal with the comparison digit string for each bit.

8. The AD conversion method according to claim 7 , further comprising

judging whether a plurality of values of the upper bit digital signal and the comparison digit string that correspond to the same bit position match, and judging the bit position as the indefinite bit when at least one of the values is different.

9. The AD conversion method according to claim 7 , further comprising setting the comparison digit string by subtracting a compared correction value composed of any integer from the upper bit digital signal or by adding the compared correction value to the upper bit digital signal.

10. The AD conversion method according to claim 9 , wherein the compared correction value is 1.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 26, 2010
From: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025193/0174 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2009
From: NAKAI, HIROSHI
To: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022879/0374 →