IP Library Granted Patent US 10,218,374
Granted Patent B2
US 10,218,374 · App. 15/395,212 · Granted Feb 26, 2019

Frequency management for interference reduction of A/D converters powered by switching power converters

Inventors: Martijn Fridus Snoeij (Erding, DE); Mikhail Valeryevich Ivanov (Freising, DE); Roberto Giampiero Massolini (Pavia, IT); Brian David Johnson (Tucson, AZ)
Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
H03M1/124H03L7/08H03M1/0845H03M1/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,218,374
App. No.
15/395,212
Granted
Feb 26, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

In at least some embodiments, a system comprises a frequency generator configured to generate a second clock signal having a second frequency using a first clock signal having a first frequency. The second frequency is offset from the first frequency and each of a plurality of harmonic frequencies of the second frequency is offset from a harmonic frequency of the first frequency. The system also includes a power converter configured to produce a power signal that at least partially corresponds to the second frequency. The system further comprises an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to sample and convert analog voltages at the first frequency. The ADC is powered by the power signal.

Claims (21)

1. A system, comprising:

a frequency generator configured to generate a second clock signal having a second frequency using a first clock signal having a first frequency, the second frequency offset from the first frequency and each of a plurality of harmonic frequencies of the second frequency offset from a harmonic frequency of the first frequency;

a power converter configured to produce a power signal that at least partially corresponds to the second frequency; and

an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to sample and convert analog voltages at the first frequency, the ADC powered by the power signal;

wherein the system includes a multi-die package, and wherein the frequency generator is formed on a first die of the package, the ADC is formed on a second die of the package, and the power converter is distributed among the first die and a third die, the power converter comprising a transformer to achieve electrical isolation between the first die and the third die.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power signal is at least partially a direct current (DC) signal comprising an alternating current (AC) component, the AC component corresponding to the second frequency.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the frequency generator is selected from the group consisting of: a phase-locked loop (PLL), a delay-locked loop (DLL), a frequency-locked loop (FLL), and a frequency divider.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a data transmitter configured to transmit outputs of the ADC via an electrical isolation barrier to a data receiver.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ADC is configured to sample the analog voltages across a shunt resistor.

6. A system, comprising:

a phase-locked loop (PLL) configured to generate a second clock signal having a second frequency based on a first clock signal having a first frequency;

a power converter configured to produce a power signal that corresponds at least in part to the second frequency;

a clock transmitter configured to transmit the first clock signal through a first electrical isolation barrier;

a clock receiver configured to receive the first clock signal from the clock transmitter;

an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to receive the first clock signal from the clock receiver and to sample and convert electrical measurements at the first frequency, the ADC powered by the power signal;

a data transmitter configured to receive an output of the ADC and to transmit the output of the ADC via a second electrical isolation barrier; and

a data receiver configured to receive the output of the ADC from the data transmitter and to direct the received output of the ADC toward a device pin,

wherein the second frequency is offset from the first frequency and each of a plurality of harmonic frequencies of the second frequency is offset from at least one harmonic frequency of the first frequency;

wherein the PLL is configured to produce a third clock signal at a third frequency and to provide the third clock signal to the clock transmitter, and wherein the clock transmitter is configured to transmit the first clock signal to the clock receiver at the third frequency.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the power signal comprises a direct current (DC) component and an alternating current (AC) component, the AC component corresponding to the second frequency.

8. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a pair of capacitors forming at least a portion of the first isolation barrier and another pair of capacitors forming at least a portion of the second isolation barrier.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 16, 2021
From: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
To: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 055314/0255 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 16, 2018
From: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
To: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 045547/0573 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 11, 2017
From: SNOEIJ, MARTIJN FRIDUS; IVANOV, MIKHAIL VALERYEVICH
To: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 040950/0622 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 11, 2017
From: MASSOLINI, ROBERTO GIAMPIERO; JOHNSON, BRIAN DAVID
To: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 040950/0664 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180191366A1 · Jul 5, 2018