Patent ID: 8797087
Filing Date: 2014-08-05
Classification: G05F

Abstract:
1. A reference quantity generator configured to generate a reference quantity, the reference quantity generator comprising: a reference source configured to provide a reference source signal; a digitally controlled signal source configured to provide a digitally controlled quantity, wherein the reference quantity is based on the digitally controlled quantity, wherein the digitally controlled signal source comprises a comparator configured to compare a comparator input signal with a threshold signal, the comparator input signal being indicative of a quantitative relation between the reference source signal and at least one of the digitally controlled quantity and the reference quantity; and a digital controller configured to provide a digital control signal to control the digitally controlled signal source to adapt the digitally controlled quantity based on the reference source signal using a feedback, wherein the digital controller comprises an up-and-down counter configured to receive a comparator output signal from the comparator and generate a digital output value, wherein the up-and-down counter is configured to alter the digital output value by an upward or downward digital unit step based on the comparator output signal, wherein the digitally controlled signal source comprises a digital-to-analog converter configured to receive the digital output value from the up-and-down counter and generate the digitally controlled quantity based on the digital output value.