Patent ID: 6958722
Filing Date: 2005-10-25
Classification: H03M

Abstract:
1. A method of converting a sample of an analog signal to a N-bit digital code, said method being performed in an analog to digital converter (ADC), said method comprising: receiving said sample of said analog signal; resolving P most significant bits (MSBs) of said N-bit digital code from said sample using one of a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage, wherein P is less than N; and resolving Q bits of said N-bit digital code while using said first reference voltage to generate an equivalent voltage corresponding to said P MSBs and using said second reference voltage to generate an equivalent voltage corresponding to said Q bits, wherein said Q bits form the next MSBs following said P MSBs, further comprising resolving next R bits of said N-bit digital code while using said first reference voltage to generate an equivalent voltage corresponding to both of said P MSBs and said Q bits, and said second reference voltage to generate an equivalent voltage corresponding to said R bits.