IP Library Granted Patent US 9,461,635
Granted Patent B2
US 9,461,635 · App. 14/573,234 · Granted Oct 4, 2016

Signal processing circuit

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,461,635
App. No.
14/573,234
Granted
Oct 4, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

In an integration mode, since a switch becomes OFF, a positive feedback path from an output terminal of an operational amplifier to a positive input terminal is blocked. Therefore, oscillation can be prevented even when a voltage of a signal line connected to a reference voltage supply point varies due to an impedance of the reference voltage supply point not being 0. In the integration mode, a resistor and a capacitor function as a noise filter. Further, in a reset mode, a switch becomes ON, and charge is accumulated in the capacitor depending on a reference voltage of the reference voltage supply point.

Claims (39)

1. A signal processing circuit comprising:

an integration circuit configured to receive a charge signal corresponding to a charge accumulated in a capacitor to be measured, integrate the charge signal, and convert the charge signal into a voltage signal; and

a voltage supply circuit configured to supply a reference voltage to the integration circuit,

wherein the integration circuit includes:

an operational amplifier having a negative input terminal that receives the charge signal, a positive input terminal that receives the reference voltage, and an output terminal;

a positive feedback path from the output terminal to the positive input terminal of the operational amplifier;

a first negative feedback path from the output terminal to the negative input terminal of the operational amplifier;

a second negative feedback path from the output terminal to the negative input terminal of the operational amplifier, the second negative feedback path being in parallel with the first negative feedback path;

a first capacitor provided on the first negative feedback path; and

a first switch provided on the second negative feedback path, and

wherein the voltage supply circuit includes:

a second capacitor connected to the positive input terminal of the operational amplifier, the second capacitor holding the reference voltage;

a second switch provided on the positive feedback, the second switch becoming OFF when the first switch is OFF, and becoming ON when the first switch is ON; and

a reference voltage supply point provided on the positive feedback path, the reference voltage supply point supplying the reference voltage to the second capacitor via the second switch.

2. The signal processing circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a sample and hold circuit including a third capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being coupled to the output terminal of the operational amplifier, the third capacitor being configured to hold a voltage between the output terminal of the operational amplifier and the reference voltage supply point when the first switch is OFF.

3. The signal processing circuit according to claim 2 , further comprising:

a third switch coupled to the second terminal of the third capacitor, the third switch being configured to supply a charge accumulated in the third capacitor to a subsequent circuit when the first switch is ON.

4. The signal processing circuit according to claim 2 , wherein the sample and hold circuit further includes:

a fourth switch provided between the output terminal of the operational amplifier and the first terminal of the third capacitor, the fourth switch being OFF when the first switch is ON;

a fifth switch provided between the second terminal of the third capacitor and the reference voltage supply point, the fifth switch being OFF when the first switch is ON; and

a sixth switch provided between the first terminal of the third capacitor and the reference voltage supply point, the sixth switch being ON when the first switch is ON.

5. The signal processing circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the voltage supply circuit further includes:

a resistor provided on the positive feedback path between the second switch and the reference voltage supply point.

6. The signal processing circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the capacitor to be measured is a sensor element which changes a capacitance thereof depending on a state of a target to be measured.

7. A signal processing circuit comprising:

an integration circuit configured to receive a charge signal corresponding to a charge accumulated in a capacitor to be measured, integrate the charge signal, and convert the charge signal into a voltage signal; and

a voltage supply circuit configured to supply a reference voltage to the integration circuit,

wherein the integration circuit includes:

an operational amplifier having a negative input terminal that receives the charge signal, a positive input terminal that receives the reference voltage, and an output terminal;

a positive feedback path from the output terminal to the positive input terminal of the operational amplifier;

a first negative feedback path from the output terminal to the negative input terminal of the operational amplifier;

a second negative feedback path from the output terminal to the negative input terminal of the operational amplifier, the second negative feedback path being provided in parallel with the first negative feedback path;

a first capacitor provided on the first negative feedback path; and

a first switch provided on the second negative feedback path, and

wherein the voltage supply circuit includes:

a reference voltage supply point provided on the positive feedback path, the reference voltage supply point supplying the reference voltage to the positive input terminal of the operational amplifier;

a second switch provided on the positive feedback path, the second switch becoming OFF when the first switch is OFF, and becoming ON when the first switch is ON; and

a second capacitor coupled to the reference voltage supply point via the second switch, the second capacitor holding the reference voltage.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 4, 2019
From: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048233/0881 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2014
From: SASAI, KIYOSHI
To: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034669/0529 →