Patent ID: 7973682
Filing Date: 2011-07-05
Classification: H03M

Abstract:
1. A method of transferring signal samples over a digital interface of a data converter implemented in a single integrated circuit including N analog to digital converters (ADCs), N analog inputs at an analog interface for receiving N analog signals, where N is greater than one, and a plurality of data ports at the digital interface, the method comprising: digitally sampling the N analog signals received at the analog interface of the integrated circuit, wherein the N ADCs respond to an input clock to form N signal samples per sample period, the input clock having an input clock frequency, wherein each ADC produces one signal sample per sample period in accordance with the input clock frequency, the signal sample represented by a number of bits per sample; mapping the bits of the N signal samples for each sample period to M subsets of bits to form M multiplexed data sets, where M is greater than one and less than N, wherein each multiplexed data set consists of a number K of multiplexed bits equal to the number of bits per sample multiplied by N then divided by M; generating a data clock having a data clock frequency substantially equal to the input clock frequency multiplied by the number K; serializing the multiplexed bits of the M multiplexed data sets in response to the data clock to provide the K multiplexed bits of a corresponding multiplexed data set sequentially at the data clock frequency to a corresponding data port of the plurality of data ports; and transmitting the M multiplexed data sets in parallel over M of the data ports of the integrated circuit, wherein the corresponding data port transmits the K multiplexed bits of the corresponding multiplexed data set at a data transfer rate that depends on the data clock frequency.