Patent ID: 8217822
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: H03M

Abstract:
1. A resolution-enhancing analog-to-digital signal conversion circuit, comprising: a plurality of analog-to-digital converters arranged in parallel, each analog-to-digital converter of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters being configured to output a digital signal that identifies an analog signal input to that analog-to-digital converter, one of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters being configured to convert an analog signal of a first voltage range, and each other analog-to-digital converter being configured to convert an analog signal of a progressively smaller voltage range with a progressively higher analog-to-digital conversion resolution; an input regulation module configured to clip the analog signal input to any of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters to an analog signal within the voltage range corresponding to that analog-to-digital converter if such an analog signal otherwise is outside of the voltage range corresponding to that analog-to-digital converter; and a controller configured to receive the digital signal output from each of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters and output an encoded signal based on one such digital signal that is received from an unclipped one of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters having a highest analog-to-digital conversion resolution.