Abstract: An analog/digital converter for converting an analog signal to a digital output code includes a local digital analog converter including a segmented array. The segmented array includes upper and lower segments of conversion elements selectively operable by respective digital command codes for respectively varying, according to binary weighted contributions, the voltages of first and second common nodes and the voltage of a second common node. A logic unit generates the digital command codes for controlling the local digital/analog converter according to a successive approximation technique for producing the digital output code. The converter includes a redistributor for modifying the command codes for redistributing the modified command codes between the lower segment and the upper segment, while making use of at least one auxiliary conversion element provided in the upper segment.

Abstract: The circuit comprises a first ring oscillator comprising an odd number of inverting elements, a delay element and an output terminal; the delay element responds to a pulse at its input with a predetermined time delay with respect to a predetermined edge of the input pulse and substantially without time delay with respect to the other edge of the input pulse. With a view to avoiding start-up transients and generating pulses with a duty cycle that can be easily modified, the circuit comprises a second ring oscillator, having an output terminal connected to the output terminal of the first oscillator, and a bistable logic circuit having an output terminal connected to the common output of the first and the second oscillator. At least one of the inverting elements of the first oscillator and at least one of the inverting elements of the second oscillator form part of the bistable logic circuit.

Abstract: A circuit for selectively converting at least one analog signal into corresponding digital codes. The circuit includes a management block having a plurality of inputs, each adapted for receiving a respective request signal carrying a request to convert the at least one analog signal. The management block is adapted to assign a priority level to the request signals based upon the input where the request signals are received, and is further operative to select one of the request signals based upon the assigned priority level and output a conversion start-up signal corresponding to the selected request signal. The circuit has a conversion block for receiving east one analog signal input and is connected to the management block to receive the conversion start-up signal as input, and start up conversion of the at least one analog signal.

Abstract: A switched capacitance circuit including: a switched capacitance section, capable of receiving as input a signal and carrying out a sampling of said signal, the section comprising at least one group of capacitors each of which has a terminal connected to a common node; at least an operational stage including at least an input terminal connected to said common node, the operational stage providing a current to said common node for charging said group of capacitors during a sampling time interval of said signal. The circuit further includes an auxiliary circuit connected to said common node and capable of being activated/deactivated by an enabling signal for injecting a further current into said common node and increasing the current provided to said common node during at least one time interval equal to a fraction of said sampling interval.

Abstract: The described analog-digital converter comprises quantization means having an input for receiving an analog quantity to be converted, a register having an output for providing a digital quantity corresponding to the analog quantity, a timing pulse generator and logic means connected to the quantization means, the register and the timing pulse generator and capable of responding to a conversion request signal by activating the quantization means in such a manner as to make them carry out predetermined operations timed by the timing pulses and load into the register the digital quantity to be provided at the output.

Abstract: The described converter comprises switched-capacitor quantization means for receiving an analog quantity to be converted, a register for a digital quantity corresponding to the analog quantity, a timing pulse generator and logic means capable of responding to a conversion request signal by activating the quantization means in such a way that they will carry out predetermined operations timed by the timing pulses and load in the register the digital quantity to be furnished as output. With a view to saving electric energy during the conversion and reducing the noise induced by the generator, the generator comprises means for modifying the duration and/or the frequency of the timing pulses in response to regulation signals emitted by the logic means.

Abstract: A switched capacitance circuit including: a switched capacitance section, capable of receiving as input a signal and carrying out a sampling of said signal, the section comprising at least one group of capacitors each of which has a terminal connected to a common node; at least an operational stage including at least an input terminal connected to said common node, the operational stage providing a current to said common node for charging said group of capacitors during a sampling time interval of said signal. The circuit further includes an auxiliary circuit connected to said common node and capable of being activated/deactivated by an enabling signal for injecting a further current into said common node and increasing the current provided to said common node during at least one time interval equal to a fraction of said sampling interval.

Abstract: The circuit comprises a first ring oscillator comprising an odd number of inverting elements, a delay element and an output terminal; the delay element responds to a pulse at its input with a predetermined time delay with respect to a predetermined edge of the input pulse and substantially without time delay with respect to the other edge of the input pulse. With a view to avoiding start-up transients and generating pulses with a duty cycle that can be easily modified, the circuit comprises a second ring oscillator, having an output terminal connected to the output terminal of the first oscillator, and a bistable logic circuit having an output terminal connected to the common output of the first and the second oscillator. At least one of the inverting elements of the first oscillator and at least one of the inverting elements of the second oscillator form part of the bistable logic circuit.

Abstract: The described analog-digital converter comprises quantization means having an input for receiving an analog quantity to be converted, a register having an output for providing a digital quantity corresponding to the analog quantity, a timing pulse generator and logic means connected to the quantization means, the register and the timing pulse generator and capable of responding to a conversion request signal by activating the quantization means in such a manner as to make them carry out predetermined operations timed by the timing pulses and load into the register the digital quantity to be provided at the output.

Abstract: A time delay logic comprises a first stage with an inverter, a capacitor connected to the input terminal of the inverter, a constant current generator and an electronic switch controlled by an input pulse. The capacitor begins to charge at a predetermined edge of the input pulse and brings the input terminal of the inverter from a first voltage (ground) to the switching threshold voltage of the inverter, so that on the output terminal of the inverter there is obtained a pulse having an edge that, as referred to the predetermined edge of the input pulse, has a delay time that depends on the inverter threshold. The circuit comprises a second stage, coupled with the first, that is a dual circuit of the circuit of the first stage and has an inverter equal to the one of the first stage.

Abstract: An A/D converter having capacitors of a first array of sampling capacitors weighted in binary code connected between a first common circuit node and an input terminal to be charged to an input voltage with respect to a ground of a signal to be converted, and in accordance with SAR technique are then selectively connected with two differential reference terminals, and at the same time capacitors of a second array equal to the first and all connected to a second node are selectively connected to ground and the lower differential voltage terminal. The two nodes are connected to the respective inputs of a comparator. A logic unit controls the connections of the capacitors of the two arrays in accordance with a predetermined timing program and as a function of the output of the comparator.

Abstract: An A/D converter having capacitors of a first array of sampling capacitors weighted in binary code connected between a first common circuit node and an input terminal to be charged to an input voltage with respect to a ground of a signal to be converted, and in accordance with SAR technique are then selectively connected with two differential reference terminals, and at the same time capacitors of a second array equal to the first and all connected to a second node are selectively connected to ground and the lower differential voltage terminal. The two nodes are connected to the respective inputs of a comparator. A logic unit controls the connections of the capacitors of the two arrays in accordance with a predetermined timing program and as a function of the output of the comparators.

Abstract: A method of operating an SAR-type analog-to-digital converter to match the dynamic range of an input voltage signal to be converted with the full scale range of the converter, the converter including at least one array of binary weighted capacitors. The method includes the step of obtaining a digital gain code that represents the ratio between the full scale range and the dynamic range of the voltage signal to be converted, applying the voltage signal to be converted to the capacitor array so as to charge with the voltage signal to be converted only those array capacitors having the same binary weights as the bits of the gain code that have a selected binary value, and selectively coupling the capacitors of the array to one of a first and second predetermined reference voltage terminals according to an SAR technique, to obtain an output digital code corresponding to the input voltage signal.

Abstract: An analog to digital converter includes first and second converter segments having respective first and second arrays of binary weighted capacitors. Each capacitor of the first segment has a first electrode connected to a first common node and a second electrode connected through respective switches to one of a first reference voltage terminal and an input terminal. Each capacitor of the second segment has a first electrode connected to a second common node and a second electrode connected through respective switches to one of the first reference voltage terminal and the input terminal. The converter includes a coupling capacitor connected between the first and second common nodes and capacitance means connected between the first common node and a reference voltage terminal.

Abstract: A method of operating an SAR-type analog-to-digital converter to match the dynamic range of an input voltage signal to be converted with the full scale range of the converter, the converter including at least one array of binary weighted capacitors. The method includes the step of obtaining a digital gain code that represents the ratio between the full scale range and the dynamic range of the voltage signal to be converted, applying the voltage signal to be converted to the capacitor array so as to charge with the voltage signal to be converted only those array capacitors having the same binary weights as the bits of the gain code that have a selected binary value, and selectively coupling the capacitors of the array to one of a first and second predetermined reference voltage terminals according to an SAR technique, to obtain an output digital code corresponding to the input voltage signal.

Abstract: A switched capacitor digital to analog converter includes first and second converter segments having respective first and second arrays of binary weighted capacitors. Each capacitor of the first segment has a first electrode connected to a first common node and a second electrode connected through respective switches to one of first and second reference voltage terminals. Each capacitor of the second segment has a first electrode connected to a second common node and a second electrode connected through respective switches to one of the first and second reference voltage terminals. The converter includes a coupling capacitor connected between the first and second common nodes and capacitance means connected between the first common node and a reference voltage terminal.

Abstract: A switched capacitor digital-to-analog converter includes a first voltage generator for providing first and second reference voltages, a second voltage generator for providing third and fourth reference voltages selected to match predetermined design values of the first and second reference voltages, and an array of binary weighted capacitors. Each capacitor has a first electrode connected to a common circuit node, which is connected to a converter output terminal and a second electrode selectively connected, through an associated first switching circuit, to either one of the first and second reference voltages or, through an associated second switching circuit, to either one of the third and fourth reference voltages.

Abstract: A switched capacitor digital to analog converter includes first and second converter segments having respective first and second arrays of binary weighted capacitors. Each capacitor of the first segment has a first electrode connected to a first common node and a second electrode connected through respective switches to one of first and second reference voltage terminals. Each capacitor of the second segment has a first electrode connected to a second common node and a second electrode connected through respective switches to one of the first and second reference voltage terminals. The converter includes a coupling capacitor connected between the first and second common nodes and capacitance means connected between the first common node and a reference voltage terminal.