Abstract: A chopping amplifier and method for chopping an input signal are disclosed. The chopping amplifier and method utilize at least two chopping amplifier stages. A chopping operation of an input signal is segmented across two or more chopping amplifier stages, and the two or more chopping amplifier stages are responsive to a master controller. Chop clock signals of the chopping amplifier stages are staggered so that they have non-overlapping periods and at least one of the chopping amplifier stages is not operating in an open loop at any given time. The non-overlapping periods are periodic so that a master chop clock of the master controller can be operated at a lower chop clock frequency. For every doubling of N number of chopping amplifier stages, magnitudes of chopping artifacts and aliased components are each respectively reduced by 3 dB.

Abstract: A sample and hold circuit including a sampling capacitor for storing a sample of an input signal, an output stage for outputting the sample stored on the sampling capacitor; and input circuitry for sampling the input signal and storing the sample on the sampling capacitor. The input circuitry includes an autozeroing input buffer which selectively samples the input signal during a first operating phase and holds a sample of the input signal during a second operating phase. The autozeroing input buffer cancels any offset error. The input circuitry also includes switching circuitry for selectively coupling the sampling capacitor with an input of the sample and hold circuitry during the second operating phase and to an output of the autozeroing input buffer during the first operating phase.

Abstract: A sample and hold circuit including a sampling capacitor for storing a sample of an input signal, an output stage for outputting the sample stored on the sampling capacitor; and input circuitry for sampling the input signal and storing the sample on the sampling capacitor. The input circuitry includes an autozeroing input buffer which selectively samples the input signal during a first operating phase and holds a sample of the input signal during a second operating phase. The autozeroing input buffer cancels any offset error. The input circuitry also includes switching circuitry for selectively coupling the sampling capacitor with an input of the sample and hold circuitry during the second operating phase and to an output of the autozeroing input buffer during the first operating phase.

Abstract: A chopping amplifier and method for chopping an input signal are disclosed. The chopping amplifier and method utilize at least two chopping amplifier stages. A chopping operation of an input signal is segmented across two or more chopping amplifier stages, and the two or more chopping amplifier stages are responsive to a master controller. Chop clock signals of the chopping amplifier stages are staggered so that they have non-overlapping periods and at least one of the chopping amplifier stages is not operating in an open loop at any given time. The non-overlapping periods are periodic so that a master chop clock of the master controller can be operated at a lower chop clock frequency. For every doubling of N number of chopping amplifier stages, magnitudes of chopping artifacts and aliased components are each respectively reduced by 3 dB.

Abstract: A data converter includes first and second input signal paths receiving an input signal having an input frequency, the first input signal path dividing the input frequency by a first divisor and the second input signal path dividing the input frequency by a second divisor, the second divisor being greater than the first divisor. A selector selects between an output of the first input signal path and an output from the second input signal path in response to a state of a control signal. Control circuitry monitors a selector output signal frequency and a current state of the control signal and selectively resets the state of the control signal to set the selector output frequency to a desired frequency.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system, method, computer program product, and data signal for providing local marketers with an affordable, efficient, media-related service for planning and executing a marketing communications campaign using a computer-implemented system. The system and method provides the advantages typically available only to larger purchasers without having to maintain the advertising budgets of such large purchasers. The system allows the user to input preferences about the media/communications campaign into interactive worksheets. The preferences are used by a set of intelligent decision rules to produce prototype plans which present a week-by-week schedule of media purchasing as well as an allocation to various media/communications classifications. The system also allows the purchaser to vary the preferences and see the effects of the variations on the prototype plans.