Patent ID: 6107949
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: H03M

Abstract:
An integrated circuit including a converter for converting a signal from analog form to digital form comprising:a multiple reference voltage generator adapted to provide a voltage gradient, the multiple reference voltage generator having equal-increment voltage gradient outputs, the voltage gradient outputs defining first taps for determining a first number of most significant bits, and between at least two of the first taps defining second taps for determining a second number of least significant bits;at least two comparators, each of the at least two comparators having a first input for receiving a first input signal, a second input adapted to be coupled to one of the equal-increment voltage gradient outputs, and an output;a plurality of switches adapted to initially couple the first taps to the comparator second inputs to determine the most significant bits, and adapted to couple the second taps to the comparator second inputs to determine the least significant bits; anddecode and control logic circuitry coupled to the outputs of the at least two comparators, the decode and control logic circuitry providing a first output adapted to control the plurality of switches to determine which of the first and second taps are coupled as second inputs of the at least two comparators and which of the first and second taps are isolated from second inputs of the at least two comparators.