Patent ID: 7212142
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: H03M

Abstract:
1. A method for performing feedback processing in analog delta-sigma modulators, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a continuous-time analog signal from a first path of an analog delta-sigma modulator; (b) sampling the received continuous-time analog signal at a first throughput rate, thereby generating a first discrete-time analog signal having the first throughput rate; (c) converting the first discrete-time analog signal to a first digital signal having the first throughput rate; (d) digitally processing the first digital signal in a pipeline at a second throughput rate that is higher than the first throughput rate, whereby samples of the first digital signal sequentially pass through a plurality of stages of the pipeline at the second throughput rate; (e) generating a continuous-time analog feedback signal representative of at least a portion of the digitally processed first digital signal, whereby the continuous-time analog feedback signal is delayed in time relative to the received continuous-time analog signal; (f) providing the continuous-time analog feedback signal to a second path of the delta-sigma modulator; and (g) generating a second signal representative of the received continuous-time analog signal, whereby the second digital signal is an output signal of the analog delta-sigma modulator.