20240088909.Feed-Forward in Tracking Analog-to-Digital Converter simplified abstract (apple inc.)

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Feed-Forward in Tracking Analog-to-Digital Converter

Organization Name

apple inc.

Inventor(s)

Giovanni Saccomanno of Munich (DE)

Alberto Celin of Munich (DE)

Fabio Busignani of Munich (DE)

Siarhei Meliukh of Munich (DE)

Feed-Forward in Tracking Analog-to-Digital Converter - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240088909 titled 'Feed-Forward in Tracking Analog-to-Digital Converter

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes a tracking ADC with a feed-forward loop that can reduce settling time and allow for higher clock speeds.

  • The tracking ADC includes a feedback circuit that generates a feedback signal based on an input voltage.
  • A comparison circuit samples the feedback signal using multiple threshold values to generate multiple samples.
  • A counter circuit updates a count value using a subset of the samples.
  • A DAC circuit generates a control signal based on the count value.
  • The feedback circuit modifies the feedback signal using the control signal and some of the samples to reduce settling time.

Potential Applications

This technology can be applied in high-speed data acquisition systems, communication systems, and sensor interfaces.

Problems Solved

This technology solves the problem of long settling times in traditional ADCs, allowing for faster operation and improved performance.

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include reduced settling time, higher clock speeds, improved accuracy, and enhanced overall performance of ADCs.

Potential Commercial Applications

  • "High-Speed Data Acquisition Systems: Improving data acquisition speed and accuracy.
  • "Communication Systems: Enhancing signal processing capabilities.
  • "Sensor Interfaces: Increasing sensor data sampling rates.

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art could be the use of pipelined ADCs in high-speed applications to improve conversion rates and accuracy.

Unanswered Questions

How does this technology compare to other methods of reducing settling time in ADCs?

This technology specifically focuses on using a feed-forward loop to modify the feedback signal and reduce settling time. Other methods may include digital filtering or oversampling techniques.

What are the potential limitations of this tracking ADC with a feed-forward loop?

Potential limitations could include increased complexity in the circuit design, higher power consumption due to additional circuitry, and potential stability issues when modifying the feedback signal.


Original Abstract Submitted

a tracking adc with a feed-forward loop is disclosed. the tracking adc includes a feedback circuit configured to generate a feedback signal using an input voltage and a comparison circuit configured to sample, using a plurality of threshold values, the feedback signal to generate a plurality of samples. a counter circuit is configured to update a count value using a subset of the plurality of samples. a digital-to-analog converter (dac) circuit configured to generate a control signal using the count value. the feedback circuit is further configured to modify the feedback signal using the control signal and at least one of the plurality of samples. by modifying the feedback voltage, the settling time may be reduced, allowing the adc to be run at a higher clock speed.