Successive approximation method with a nonlinear characteristic

1. A circuit comprising:

a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (SAR-ADC) comprising a feedback path;

wherein the feedback path is configured to translate a digital signal in accordance with a prescribed function and to furthermore convert the translated digital signal into an analog feedback signal.

2. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the feedback path comprises a digital logic element and a digital-to-analog converter element;

wherein the digital logic element is configured to translate the digital signal in accordance with the prescribed function;

wherein the digital-to-analog converter element is configured to convert the translated digital signal into the analog feedback signal.

3. The circuit of claim 2 , further comprising:

a memory configured to store a lookup table that maps the prescribed function;

wherein the digital logic element is configured to translate the digital signal in accordance with the prescribed function based on the lookup table.

4. The circuit of claim 2 , wherein the feedback path further comprises a selectively activable shunt path configured to bypass the digital logic element.

5. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the prescribed function comprises a nonlinear function.

6. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the prescribed function comprises an exponential function.

7. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the prescribed function comprises a zero point offset.

8. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the feedback path is further configured to translate the digital signal in accordance with the prescribed function in a first mode of operation and to translate the digital signal in accordance with a further prescribed function in a second mode of operation.

9. The circuit of claim 8 , wherein the further prescribed function comprises an identity function.

10. The circuit of claim 1 , further comprising:

a temperature sensor configured to output a control signal to the digital logic element;

wherein the control signal comprises an indication of a measured temperature;

wherein the prescribed function comprises a dependency on the measured temperature.

11. The circuit of claim 1 , further comprising:

a detector configured to output an analog input signal to the SAR-ADC.

12. The circuit of claim 11 , wherein the prescribed function comprises a dependency on a type of the detector.

13. The circuit of claim 11 , wherein the prescribed function comprises a dependency on an operating state of the detector.

14. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the SAR-ADC furthermore comprises a comparator configured to generate a comparison of an analog input signal received by the SAR-ADC with the feedback signal and output a result signal based on the comparison.

15. The circuit of claim 14 , wherein the SAR-ADC further comprises an SAR register configured to adjust the digital signal iteratively based on the result signal.

16. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the SAR-ADC is configured to receive an analog input signal and convert the analog input signal with a nonlinear characteristic.

17. A method comprising:

translating, via a feedback path of an SAR-ADC, a digital signal in accordance with a prescribed function; and

converting, via the feedback path of the SAR-ADC, the translated digital signal into an analog feedback signal.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

storing a lookup table that maps the prescribed function; and

bypassing, via a selectively activable shunt path, a digital logic element of the feedback path;

wherein the translating the digital signal in accordance with the prescribed function comprises translating the digital signal based on the lookup table.

19. A hybrid analog-to-digital converter comprising:

a comparator configured to generate a comparison an analog input signal with a feedback signal and output a result signal based on the comparison, wherein the analog input signal comprises a power curve including a first range and a second range, and wherein the first range corresponds to lower powers than the second range; and

a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (SAR) register configured to adjust a digital signal iteratively based on the result signal, wherein the hybrid analog-to-digital converter is configured to use a nonlinear characteristic to convert the first range of the power curve of the input signal with a recognizable sensitivity.

20. The hybrid analog-to-digital converter of claim 19 , wherein the hybrid analog-to-digital converter is further configured to convert the first range of the power curve of the input signal with a first sensitivity and to convert the second range of the power curve of the input signal with a second sensitivity, and wherein the first sensitivity is substantially equal to the second sensitivity.