Abstract: A successive-approximation-register analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC) typically includes circuitry for implementing bit trials that converts an analog input to a digital output bit by bit. The circuitry for bit trials are usually weighted (e.g., binary weighted), and these bit weights are not always ideal. Calibration algorithms can calibrate or correct for non-ideal bit weights and usually prefer these bit weights to be signal-independent so that the bit weights can be measured and calibrated/corrected easily. Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a unique circuit design of an SAR ADC, where each bit capacitor or pair of bit capacitors (in a differential design) has a corresponding dedicated on-chip reference capacitor. The speed of the resulting ADC is fast due to the on-chip reference capacitors (offering fast reference settling times), while errors associated with non-ideal bit weights of the SAR ADC are signal-independent (can be easily measured and corrected/calibrated).

Abstract: A successive-approximation-register analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC) typically includes circuitry for implementing bit trials that converts an analog input to a digital output bit by bit. The circuitry for bit trials are usually weighted (e.g., binary weighted), and these bit weights are not always ideal. Calibration algorithms can calibrate or correct for non-ideal bit weights and usually prefer these bit weights to be signal-independent so that the bit weights can be measured and calibrated/corrected easily. Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a unique circuit design of an SAR ADC, where each bit capacitor or pair of bit capacitors (in a differential design) has a corresponding dedicated on-chip reference capacitor. The speed of the resulting ADC is fast due to the on-chip reference capacitors (offering fast reference settling times), while errors associated with non-ideal bit weights of the SAR ADC are signal-independent (can be easily measured and corrected/calibrated).

Abstract: A successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC) typically includes circuitry for implementing bit trials that converts an analog input to a digital output bit by bit. The circuitry for bit trials are usually weighted (e.g., binary weighted), and these bit weights are not always ideal. Calibration algorithms can calibrate or correct for non-ideal bit weights and usually prefer these bit weights to be signal independent so that the bit weights can be measured and calibrated/corrected easily. Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a unique circuit design of an SAR ADC, where each bit capacitor or pair of bit capacitors (in a differential design) has a corresponding dedicated on-chip reference capacitor. The speed of the resulting ADC is fast due to the on-chip reference capacitors (offering fast reference settling times), while errors associated with non-ideal bit weights of the SAR ADC are signal independent (can be easily measured and corrected/calibrated).

Abstract: Systems for processing pixel signals generated by an image sensor to create improved images. More particularly, systems and methods are disclosed that adjust the gain on, inter alia, a pixel-by-pixel basis, to improve the dynamic range of the imaging system. The systems may include level detectors that measure the amplitude of a pixel signal and, based on that measurement, amplify that pixel signal by an amount that allows certain subsequent processing of the pixel signal to be more accurate. More accurately processed pixel signals can provide better overall images.

Abstract: A gyroscope control circuit for a vibratory gyroscope system includes an open-loop RSP control circuit and a closed-loop CSP control circuit. The gyroscope control circuit optionally may include a Q compensation circuit to compensate for variations in gyroscope sensitivity due to variations in resonator signal path Q. The resonator signal path and the Coriolis signal path may have transduction factors that are proportional to each other such that sensitivity of the gyroscope varies directly with resonator signal path quality factor (Q).

Abstract: A gyroscope control circuit for a vibratory gyroscope system includes an open-loop RSP control circuit and a closed-loop CSP control circuit. The gyroscope control circuit optionally may include a Q compensation circuit to compensate for variations in gyroscope sensitivity due to variations in resonator signal path Q. The resonator signal path and the Coriolis signal path may have transduction factors that are proportional to each other such that sensitivity of the gyroscope varies directly with resonator signal path quality factor (Q).

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods of determining the quality factor of a resonating body in ways that are advantageous over previously known methods. For example, embodiments allow the determination of the quality factors of a resonating body without preventing the simultaneous use of the resonating body. For micromachined (“MEMS”) devices, embodiments allow the determination of the quality factors of a resonating body in a manner that is not dependent on transduction parameters of the MEMS device.

Abstract: A successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC) typically includes circuitry for implementing bit trials that converts an analog input to a digital output bit by bit. The circuitry for bit trials are usually weighted (e.g., binary weighted), and these bit weights are not always ideal. Calibration algorithms can calibrate or correct for non-ideal bit weights and usually prefer these bit weights to be signal independent so that the bit weights can be measured and calibrated/corrected easily. Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a unique circuit design of an SAR ADC, where each bit capacitor or pair of bit capacitors (in a differential design) has a corresponding dedicated on-chip reference capacitor. The speed of the resulting ADC is fast due to the on-chip reference capacitors (offering fast reference settling times), while errors associated with non-ideal bit weights of the SAR ADC are signal independent (can be easily measured and corrected/calibrated).

Abstract: Systems for processing pixel signals generated by an image sensor to create improved images. More particularly, systems and methods are disclosed that adjust the gain on, inter alia, a pixel-by-pixel basis, to improve the dynamic range of the imaging system. The systems may include level detectors that measure the amplitude of a pixel signal and, based on that measurement, amplify that pixel signal by an amount that allows certain subsequent processing of the pixel signal to be more accurate. More accurately processed pixel signals can provide better overall images.