Abstract: An auto-calibration technique for optimizing the transfer function of analog-to-digital converters. The technique can be applied to analog-to-digital converter (ADC) architectures employing a cascade of n-stages to form a composite n-bit ADC transfer function. The technique utilizes evaluation of the probability density function of individual bits to determine error sign, minimize error magnitude and assure calibration convergence.

Abstract: An auto-calibration technique for optimizing the transfer function of analog-to-digital converters. The technique can be applied to analog-to-digital converter (ADC) architectures employing a cascade of n-stages to form a composite n-bit ADC transfer function. The technique utilizes evaluation of the probability density function of individual bits to determine error sign, minimize error magnitude and assure calibration convergence.

Abstract: Autocalibration circuitry and an algorithm (method) for aligning interstage gain within a high resolution multipass analog-to-digital converter. The interstage gain alignment technique maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio and spurious free dynamic range of the multipass analog-to-digital converter. The multipass analog-to-digital converter uses an m-bit course analog-to-digital converter and an n-bit fine analog-to-digital converter whose input is derived from an m-bit digital-to-analog converter. Output words of the course and fine analog-to-digital converters are combined to produce an output word of the multipass analog-to-digital converter. The present invention applies a random signal into the m-bit digital-to-analog converter. The digital output of the n-bit fine analog-to-digital converter is statistically examined to discern the gain misalignment error.