Delta-sigma modulator having sensor front-end
View Patent ↗A delta-sigma modulator is configured to sense and convert an electromagnetic field into a digital signal. An exemplary delta-sigma modulator includes a sensor component, such as an LC resonator, that is configured to sense the electromagnetic field and generate an input analog signal, where the delta-sigma modulator is configured to convert the input analog signal to the digital signal. Delta-sigma modulator can include an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the sensor component that receives and converts the input analog signal to the digital signal. Delta-sigma modulator can further include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupled to the resonator and the ADC, the DAC configured to receive the digital signal from the ADC and generate a feedback analog signal.
1. A circuit comprising:
a delta-sigma modulator that is configured to sense and convert an electromagnetic field into a digital signal, wherein the delta-sigma modulator includes an LC resonator configured to sense the electromagnetic field and generate an analog signal, the delta-sigma modulator configured to convert the analog signal to the digital signal.
2. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein an inductor of the LC resonator is configured to sense a magnetic field, such that a current induced by the sensed magnetic field provides the analog signal.
3. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein a capacitor of the LC resonator is configured to sense an electric field, such that a voltage induced by the sensed electric field provides the analog signal.
4. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the delta-sigma modulator further includes an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the LC resonator, the analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog signal to the digital signal.
5. The circuit of claim 4 , wherein the delta-sigma modulator further includes a digital-to-analog converter coupled to the LC resonator and the analog-to-digital converter, such that the digital-to-analog converter is configured to receive the digital signal from the analog-to-digital converter and generate a feedback analog signal, wherein the LC resonator is configured to receive the feedback analog signal.
6. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the delta-sigma modulator directly converts the electromagnetic field into the digital signal.
7. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the LC resonator is a first stage resonator of a plurality of resonators of the delta-sigma modulator.
8. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the delta-sigma modulator is a band-pass delta-sigma modulator.
9. The circuit of claim 1 further comprising a digital filter/decimator component coupled to the delta-sigma modulator, wherein the delta-sigma modulator and the digital filter/decimator component form a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter.
10. The circuit of claim 9 further comprising a digital signal processor coupled to the delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter.
11. A delta-sigma modulator configured to generate an output signal that is a digital representation of an input signal, the delta-sigma modulator comprising:
a resonator configured to sense an electromagnetic field and generate the input signal for the delta-sigma modulator;
an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the resonator, the ADC configured to receive the input signal and generate the output signal; and
a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupled to the resonator and the ADC, the DAC configured to receive the output signal from the ADC and generate a feedback input signal.
12. The delta-sigma modulator of claim 11 , wherein the resonator is an LC resonator.
13. The delta-sigma modulator of claim 12 , wherein the LC resonator includes an inductor and a capacitor connected in parallel.
14. The delta-sigma modulator of claim 12 , wherein the LC resonator is configured as an inductive sensor, such that an inductor of the LC resonator senses a magnetic field and a current induced by the sensed magnetic field provides the input signal.
15. The delta-sigma modulator of claim 12 , wherein the LC resonator is configured as a capacitive sensor, such that a capacitor of the LC resonator senses an electric field and a voltage induced by the sensed electric field provides the input signal.
16. The delta-sigma modulator of claim 11 further comprising a buffer coupled with the resonator and the ADC.
17. The delta-sigma modulator of claim 11 , wherein the resonator is a first stage resonator of a plurality of resonators of the delta-sigma modulator.
18. The delta-sigma modulator of claim 11 , wherein the input signal is an analog signal and the output signal is a digital signal.
19. A method comprising:
sensing, by a resonator of a delta-sigma modulator, an electromagnetic field;
generating, by the delta-sigma modulator, an analog signal representing the electromagnetic field; and
converting, by the delta-sigma modulator, the analog signal to a digital signal.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein:
the delta-sigma modulator includes a resonator for sensing the electromagnetic field and generating the analog signal, wherein the generating the analog signal includes inducing a current or a voltage in the resonator upon the resonator sensing the electromagnetic field.