AD converter of the parallel comparison type with error suppression

Abstract: The circuit for converting an analog signal into corresponding N-bit digital signal (A/D converter ) of a parallel comparison type comprises a 2 N-M number of M-bit encoders(6),a single N-bit encoder(8)and error suppression circuits(10),a block indicating signal on a block indicating line belonging to each M-bit encoder serving as an output inhibit signal for one of the other error suppression circuits connected to the M-bit encoder in one lower order (or higher order) with respect to the corresponding M-bit encoder, and the block indicating line of each M-bit encoder being connected to an output terminal of one of the comparators in a lowest order (or highest order) or a few comparators in the comparator group to which the corresponding M-bit encoder is connected. Therefore, if an output signal is generated from the highest comparator (or lowest comparator) in the comparator group whose output terminals are connected to the corresponding M-bit encoder, the transmission of the output signal of the M-bit encoder in one lower order (or higher order) to the N-bit encoder is interrupted by means of the corresponding error suppression circuits when the output signal from the one lower order (or higher order) is generated. The block indicating signal is directly used as the output inhibit signal for the one lower order error suppression signal so that no particular gate circuit is needed, thus reducing the number of transistors. In addition, a small number of comparators are connected to the block indicating line so that the number of transistors is accordingly reduced.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a circuit for converting an analog signal into a digital signal (A/D converter) of a parallel comparison type with error suppression circuits, a 2 N-M number of M-bit encoders, and one N-bit encoder. (2)Background of the Art A parallel type (or parallel comparison type) A/D (analog-to-digital) converter having a superior high-speed operating characteristic is commonly used as the A/D converter. An N-bit parallel type A/D converter generally includes 2 N -1 numbers of comparison circuits disposed in parallel with each other and 2 N numbers of serially connected resistors having mutually equal resistance values and across which a reference voltage (e.g.,2 volts) is applied so as to provide an equal divided voltage across each resistor and to provide 2 N -1 numbers of mutually different comparison voltages at terminals between the mutually adjacent resistors. Thus, each comparison voltage provided by the resistors is supplied to one of the input terminals of the corresponding comparison circuit and an input analog voltage is supplied to the other input terminal of each comparison circuit so that the comparison circuits detect which of these comparison circuits is nearest to the input analog voltage. Then, the A/D converter of the parallel comparison type encodes the detection result through a coincidence circuitry to provide the N-bit digital signal indicating the digital value of the input analog voltage through the N-bit encoder. If the number of bits of the above-described parallel A/D converter are, for example, eight bits (N=8), the numbers of resistors, comparison circuits, and gates in the coincidence circuitry reach 256 and the layout of the 8-bit A/D converter becomes very long when these circuit elements are aligned in a row. That is to say, if such an 8-bit A/D converter is arranged on a single semiconductor chip in a rectangular shape, the layout thereof will be described below. The 8-bit A/D converter described above is, e.g., divided into four blocks, each block being arranged in a unidirection and having a 6-bit encoder built therein. Then, an output signal of each 6-bit encoder is supplied to a single 8-bit encoder from which the 8-bit digital signal is outputted. Each block includes a comparator group, each group in the corresponding having 64 comparators. It is noted that each comparator includes a combination of one resistor, one comparison circuit, and one gate. One comparator group belonging to one block is thus constituted by 64 comparators. Each number from 0 to 254 is sequentially allocated to all comparators of the A/D converter in an order from lower significant number 0 to upper significant number 255. It is noted that although the comparator in the order of 255 is present, it is not connected to the corresponding encoder but vacant and does not serve any more. Each 6-bit encoder takes a matrix form in which six bit lines are present for providing a 6-bit output signal thereat and a single block indicating line BDB is provided. The block indicating line BDB functions to inform the 8-bit encoder that a signal (coincidence detection signal) is transmitted from any one of the comparators or a particular comparator to the 6-bit encoder itself in the corresponding block to which the 6-bit encoder belongs. Error suppression circuits are connected between respective blocks and 8-bit encoder for preventing occurrence of errors by inhibiting the output of the signal from the 6-bit encoder connected to the corresponding error suppression circuit to the 8-bit encoder upon receipt of an output inhibit signal. The output inhibit signal is transmitted in such a sequence from the highest error suppression circuit connected to the uppermost order block to the lowest order error suppression circuit connected to the lowest order block. For example Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol.11, no.127, (E-501) (2574) 21 April 1987 & JP-A-61 270 919 (Matsushita) 1 December 1986 disclose a parallel type analog-digital converter having two blocks of comparators and a logic circuit connected to the outputs of all comparators for prevention of large converting errors. The details of one of the previously proposed parallel type A/D converters with the error suppression circuits will be described below. In each 6-bit encoder of the blocks in the matrix construction, seven signals transmitted via the 6-bit bit lines and block indicating line BDB are inputted to the 8-bit encoder via a latch circuit and the corresponding error suppression circuit. All seven signals passed through the latch circuit are also inputted to an OR gate circuit. An output signal of the OR gate circuit is then transmitted to the adjacent lower order error suppression circuit as the output inhibit signal. Hence, each of the error suppression circuits receives the output inhibit signal from its adjacent, one upper-order block. The above-described block indicating line BDB is connected to output terminals of all comparators of each comparator group connected to the 6-bit encoder of the corresponding group. The error suppression circuits are provided for preventing a transient occurrence of a large error of such an order as indicated by 2⁶. The transient occurrence of such a large error will specifically be described below. For example, when the input analog voltage is changed in such a way as initially from a value slightly smaller than the value of 2 (reference voltage)x192/256 , intersecting this value, and exceeding this value to a larger value, one of the comparators generating the output signal is changed sequentially in such a way that the output signal is generated from the comparator of the second block in the order of 65, the output signal is generated from the comparator of the second block in the order of 64, the output signal is generated from the comparator of the first block in the order of 63, and the output signal is thereafter generated from the comparator in the order of 62. Although the block indicating signal BDB is outputted from the block indicating line of the second 6-bit encoder until the output signal from the comparator of the order of 64 is generated, the block indicating signal vanishes which has been outputted via the block indicating line BDB of the second 6-bit encoder when the comparator in the order of 63 generates the output signal. The change of the output bit status in the 8-bit encoder, i.e., the A/D converter is shown as follows during this period. 01000001 ← 9₆₅ 01000000 ← 9₆₄ 00111111 ← 9₆₃ 00111110 ← 9₆₂ It is noted that in this case the digital output when the output signal is generated from the comparator in the first order of 0 indicates 00000000 and that when generated from the comparator in the last order of 254 indicates 11111111. However, the above-described change of the output digital signal is a case where each circuit element is ideally operated without delay. The operating speed of each circuit element is actually different for different circuit elements. For example, if a delay of operation occurs in the second 6-bit encoder, such a transient state often occurs that the block indicating signal of the second 6-bit encoder does not vanish but remains 1 although the six bits of the first 6-bit encoder have already indicated 111111 when 01000000 is changed to 00111111. In this case, the digital output signal is changed in the way described below. 01000000 01111111 00111111 In other words, the output signal indicating 01111111 often or seldom appears when changing from 01000000 to 00111111 although this phenomenon is transient. This is a large indication error of the output signal since it is different from such an error as occurring in the output digit of a least significant bit (LSB) or near thereto. To cope with such a transient error phenomenon , the error suppression circuits for the respective blocks are installed in the A/D converter. Hence, e.g., when the output signal is generated from the second 6-bit encoder, the output inhibit signal is transmitted from the second 6-bit encoder to the first-order error suppression circuit. At this time, if the first line of the six bit lines of the first 6-bit encoder is generated, the input of the output signal therefrom to the 8-bit encoder is interrupted by this output inhibit signal. Hence, no large error occurs in the A/D converter described above. However, the above-described previously proposed parallel type A/D converter has such a drawback as using very large numbers of elements such as transistors in the A/D converter. That is to say, output lines of the comparators are connected to the 6-bit encoder in the matrix construction belonging to the same block and each 6-bit encoder is connected to each input line connected to the 8-bit encoder via transistors (or diodes), respectively. As the number of the connection points are increased, the number of transistors (or diodes) to be used is accordingly increased. Hence, if the block indicating line BDB of the corresponding 6-bit encoder is connected to all comparators of the group, the number of the connection points requires 64 per block due to the connection of the output lines of the comparators to the block indicating lines. This does not only result in the increase of the number of elements but also in a heavy load on each block indicating line. Consequently, the high speed operating characteristic inherent to the parallel type A/D converter is deteriorated. In addition, since the output inhibit signal to be transmitted to one of the error suppression circuits in one lower order is formed by passing the seven signals transmitted via the 6-bit bit lines and block indicating line through the OR gate circuit 12, the number of input terminals to the OR gate circuit therefore reach seven. This is also a factor for increasing the number of circuit elements such as transistors. Since the number of transistors per input terminal in the OR gate circuit are great as many as 1 to 3, seven to twenty one transistors must be used in the signal inputting portion of the single OR gate circuit. When the input signal is transmitted through the OR gate circuit, its output inhibit signal is delayed. This makes the A/D converter disadvantageous. In the way described above, the previously proposed parallel type A/D converter has the problems of the large number of circuit elements used therein and of providing unfavorable effects on the high-speed operating characteristic inherent to the A/D converter of the parallel comparison type. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a device for converting an analog signal to a digital signal having error suppression circuits in a parallel comparison type in which the member of transistor or diode circuit elements is reduced and high-speed operating characteristic inherent thereto is improved. This can be achieved by providing a device for converting an analog signal into a corresponding digital signal comprising the features of appended claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1(A) is a simplified circuit block diagram of a whole construction of an 8-bit parallel comparison type A/D converter to which the present invention is applicable. Fig. 1(B) is a detailed circuit wiring diagram of each comparator shown in Fig. 1 Fig. 2 is a circuit block diagram of each block of the 8-bit parallel comparison type A/D converter in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference will hereinafter be made to the drawing in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a circuit block diagram of an N-bit parallel comparison type A/D (analog to digital) converter in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention. The whole circuit construction of the parallel comparison type A/D converter in the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is shown in Figs. 1(A) and 1(B). As shown in Fig. 1(A), the A/D converter, in this embodiment an 8-bit A/D converter, is divided into four blocks 5₁,5₂,5₃, and 5₄. The four blocks 5₁, 5₂, 5₃, and 5₄ are disposed in parallel with each other and mutually in rows of rectangular shapes. Four 6-bit encoders 6₁, 6₂, 6₃, and 6₄ are built in the respective blocks. Output signals of the respective 6-bit encoders 6 1, 6₂, 6₃, and 6₄ are supplied to a single 8-bit encoder 8 so that the 8-bit encoder 8 outputs the 8-bit digital signal. Comparator groups denoted by 7₁, 7₂, 7₃, and 7₄ belong to the corresponding blocks 5₁, 5₂, 5₃, and 5₄, each comparator group including 64 numbers of comparators,9,9,--. Error suppression circuits 10₁, 10₂, 10₃, and 10₄ are connected between the respectively corresponding blocks 5₁, 5₂, 5₃, and 5₄ and 8-bit encoder 8. The error suppression circuits 10₁, 10₂, 10₃, and 10₄ inhibit the output of signals from the 6-bit encoders 6 connected with the corresponding error suppression circuits to the 8-bit encoder 8 so that the erroneous output indication of the A/D converter is prevented. Each error suppression circuit 10 receives the output inhibit signal from one of the other error suppression circuits 10 which is located in one higher order in such a way that the first error suppression circuit 10₁ receives it from the second error suppression circuit 10₂, the second error suppression circuit 10₂ from the third error suppression circuit 10₃, and so on. Alternatively, the output inhibit signal may be received from one of the other error suppression circuits 10 which is located in one lower order. It is noted that each comparator 9₀ to 9₂₅₄ includes one of the serially connected resistors R i=0 to ₂₅₄ a comparison circuit COP i=0 to 254 and a gate circuit G i=0 to 254 , as shown in Fig. 1(B). It is also noted that Fig. 2 shows the circuit block diagram of the second block 5₂ in the 8-bit A/C converter. In Fig. 2, a block indicating line BDB for transmitting a block indicating signal indicating whether any one of the comparators 9 in the second block 5₂ produces the output signal is connected with output terminals of the lowest order comparator 9₆₄ and of the subsequent order comparator 9₆₅. The block indicating line BDB is furthermore connected to a control terminal of the error suppression circuit 10₁ of the first block 5₁ which is in its one lower order. The signal generated from the block indicating line BDB ,i.e., the block indicating signal serves as the output inhibit signal for the first block 5₁ which is placed in the one lower order. The error suppression circuit 10₂ shown in Fig. 2 is intervened between the 6-bit encoder 6₂ and 8-bit encoder 8 together with a latch circuit 11. The error suppression circuit 10₂ is controlled by means of the output inhibit signal on the block indicating line BDB of the one higher order block ,i.e., third block 5₃. The 6-bit bit lines of the 6-bit encoder 6₂ are connected to their corresponding bit lines in the 8-bit encoder 8 in such a way that the LSB line is connected to the LSB line of the 8-bit encoder 8, B1 line is connected to the B1 line thereof,and so on. It is noted that all lines of the 6-bit bit lines and block indicating line BDB of the 6-bit encoder 6₂ are connected to the bit line B6 subsequent to the MSB line(B7) in the 8-bit encoder 8. It is also noted that the circuit constructions of the other blocks 5₁, 5₃, 5₄ are substantially the same as the second block 5₂ shown in Fig. 2. However, the block indicating line BDB of the first block 6₁ serves no purpose although it is present therein. In addition, the 6-bit bit lines of the first 6-bit encoder 6₁ are merely connected to their corresponding bit lines (B0 to B5) in the 8-bit encoder 8 and are connected to neither the MSB line nor B6 line of the 8-bit encoder 8. Each bit line of the third 6-bit encoder 6₃ is connected to its corresponding bit line (B0 to B5) of the 8-bit encoder 8 and each bit line of the third 6-bit encoder 6₃ and its block indicating line BDB are all connected to the MSB line (B7) of the 8-bit encoder. Furthermore, each bit line of the fourth 6-bit encoder 6₄ is connected to its corresponding bit line (B0 to B6) of the 8-bit encoder 8 and each bit line and block indicating line BDB are connected to both MSB and B6 line of the 8-bit encoder 8. In this way, each block has a slight difference in its connection to the lines of the 8-bit encoder 8. In the circuit construction of the A/D converter of the above-described preferred embodiment, suppose that the output signal is generated from either the comparator 9₆₄ in the lowest order in the second block 5₂ or the comparator 9₆₅ in one higher order therein. That is to say, when there is a possibility that the output signals are overlapped and transmitted to the 8-bit encoder 8 from the second block 5₂ and from the first block 5₁ in one lower order, the output inhibit signal of the comparator 9₆₄ or 9₆₅ is transmitted from the block 5₂ via the block indicating line BDB to the error suppression circuit 10₁ in the first block 5₁ not shown in Fig. 2 as the output inhibit signal. Therefore, the overlapping input of the output signals from the plurality of the 6-bit encoders 6₁ and 6₂ into the 8-bit encoder 8 can be prevented. Then, the number of connecting points between the block indicating line BDB and comparators 9, 9, -- is only two in the preferred embodiment as shown in Fig. 2. Therefore, the number of transistors required to connect the block indicating line BDB and comparators 9 can be reduced. In addition, the load of the transistors can be relieved and accordingly the transmission speed of each block indicating signal can become faster. That is to say, the output terminals of all comparators in each block are connected to the corresponding block indicating line in the previously proposed parallel comparison type A/D converter. However, the occurrence of the signal overlap between any one of the blocks and the adjacent block in one lower order is usually caused when the output signal is generated from either the lowest order comparator or its adjacent comparator 9 in the corresponding block. At this time, such an occurrence is not found when the output signal is generated from any other comparators in the higher order than the above-described order. Hence, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to connect the output terminals of all comparators 9, 9, -- to the block indicating line BDB. In this way, in the A/D converter according to the present invention, with the number of the comparators 9 to connect the block indicating line BDB to the output terminals of the comparators reduced, the number of the elements, i.e., transistors and so on can be reduced with the achievement of the effective error suppression. In addition, the A/D converter according to the present invention does not produce the output inhibit signal to the error suppression circuit belonging to the lower order block by the input of the block indicating line BDB and 6-bit bit lines to the OR gate circuit as in the case of the previously proposed A/D converter but directly uses the signal of the block indicating line BDB, i.e., the block indicating signal as the output inhibit signal for the error suppression circuit in the lower order block. Therefore, no gate circuit having the great number of input terminals is needed to produce the output inhibit signal. Hence, the number of transistors used in the A/D converter can remarkably be reduced and the delay of the output inhibit signal can accordingly be reduced. It is noted that the number of comparators 9 whose output terminals are connected to the block indicating line BDB are two in the corresponding block as described in the above-described embodiment. However, as alternatives, the number of the comparators may be one, i.e., the comparator 9₆₄ in the lowest order, or may be three of the lower order comparators including the comparator 9₆₄, or may be four or more. However,if the number of the comparators 9 whose output terminals are connected to the block indicating line BDB are increased, the number of the elements are accordingly increased although the stability of the circuit operation becomes increased. In addition, in so doing, the effect of the present invention becomes reduced. In the preferred embodiment, the output inhibit signal to each error suppression circuit is received from the upper order error suppression circuit 10. On the contrary, in each block the output inhibit signal may be received from the lower order error suppression circuit. In this case, the comparators whose output terminals are connected to the block indicating line BDB may a few of the comparators in the upper order including the uppermost order or the comparator in the uppermost order. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the 8-bit parallel comparison type A/D converter is divided into four blocks (i.e., N=8,2 N-M =4 (i.e., M=6)). However, the present invention is not limited to the four blocks but may be divided into eight blocks (i.e.,N=8, 2 N-M =8 (i.e., M=5)). As described above, in the parallel comparison type A/D converter according to the present invention, the 2 N or 2 N -1 number of the comparators are divided into the 2 N-M number of the comparator groups. The output signals of the respective comparator groups are inputted to their corresponding M-bit encoders. Each M-bit encoder is provided with the M-bit bit lines and block indicating line for transmitting the block indicating signal indicating whether the signal from any one of the comparators in the comparator group is inputted to itself. The output signal of each M-bit encoder is inputted to the single N-bit encoder. In addition, each error suppression circuit is provided between each M-bit encoder and N-bit encoder for inhibiting the transmission of the signal from the corresponding M-bit encoder to the N-bit encoder upon receipt of the output inhibit signal. In the N-bit parallel comparison type A/D converter in which each error suppression circuit receives the output inhibit signal from the M-bit encoder in one upper order or in one lower order to which it is connected, the error suppression circuits receive the block indicating signals as the output inhibit signals from the respective M-bit encoders in one higher order or one lower order of the respective M-bit encoders to which the respectively corresponding error suppression circuits are connected. The block indicating lines of the respective M-bit encoders are connected to the output terminal of one of the comparators in the comparator group in the lowest order or highest order, or the output terminals of a few comparators in the lower order or higher order inclusive the lowest order comparator or highest order. Hence, according to the present invention, since the block indicating signal of the block indicating line of each M-bit encoder serves as the output inhibit signal for the error suppression circuit in one upper order or lower order, the error suppression circuit interrupts the input of the output signal into the N-bit encoder even when the output signal is generated from the one upper order or higher order M-bit encoder if the output signal is generated from the comparator in a higher order or lower order of the comparator group whose output terminals are connected to any one of the M-bit encoders. Since the block indicating line signal (i.e.,block indicating signal) is the output inhibit signal for the error suppression circuit in one higher order or lower order and no particular gate circuit is used to produce the output inhibit signals, no particular transistor elements to produce the output inhibit signals are required and the number of transistor elements can accordingly be reduced. Furthermore, each of the block indicating lines of the respective M-bit encoders are connected to the output terminal of one of the comparator in the comparator group in the lowest order or in the highest order or output terminals of the few comparators. Therefore, since the output terminals of all comparators are not connected thereto, the number of connected lines between the output lines of the comparators and block indicating lines can remarkably be reduced. In addition, the high speed operating characteristic can be improved and the occurrence of the large error can be prevented without increase of the number of the circuit elements and deterioration of the high speed operating characteristic of the parallel comparison type A/D converter.

Claims: A circuit for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, comprising: (a) 2 N - 1 comparators (9), divided into 2 N-M groups corresponding to nominally non-overlapping portions of the analog signal range, each of said comparators receiving and comparing the analog voltage with a respective predetermined voltage and outputting a logic signal when the analog signal substantially equals said predetermined voltage; (b) a plurality of 2 N-M M-bit encoders (6) respectively connected to the comparators of a corresponding group, each M-bit encoder receiving and encoding the said logic signals from the comparators of its respective group, each M-bit encoder having a block indicating line (BDB) for transmitting an output inhibit signal when at least one comparator of the corresponding group is outputting the said logic signal, (c) a single N-bit encoder (8) for receiving the M-bit encoded signal from each M-bit encoder and outputting an N-bit encoded digital signal; and (d) a plurality of suppressing means (10) for suppressing bit errors in the N-bit encoded digital signal, said suppressing means being intervened between each M-bit encoder and the N-bit encoder, except at least the highest or lowest order M-bit encoders, said means preventing the superposition of the output aignal from adjacent M-bit encoders, characterized in that the block indicating line (BDB) from each participating M-bit encoder is connected to gate means in the suppression means (10) of the next lowest order, and in that the number N-M is greater than 1. A circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said means for suppressing (10) comprises M gate circuits, said means receiving the output inhibit signal and the M-bit encoded signal from the corresponding M-bit encoder and inhibiting the transmission of the M-bit encoded signal upon receipt of the output inhibit signal. A circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the comparator which derives the output inhibit signal is the lowest order comparator in the corresponding group. A circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the comparator which derives the output inhibit signal is the highest order comparator in the corresponding group. A circuit as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises a latch circuit (11) connected between the corresponding M-bit encoder (6) and the suppressing means (10) for latching the M-bit encoded signal and block indicating signal. A circuit according to claim 1, whereby N equals 8 and M equals 6. A circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein each comparator (9) comprises: one of a plurality of serially connected resistors for dividing a reference voltage into the predetermined voltage allocated to the corresponding comparator; a comparison circuit (COP) receiving the analog voltage and predetermined voltage and outputting the comparison result between the analog signal and predetermined voltage, and a gate circuit (G) receiving the comparison results of the corresponding comparison circuit and the comparison circuit in one higher order for outputting the signal according to the comparison results. A circuit as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises a redundant comparator in a 2 N order adjacent to the comparator in the 2 N -1 order but is not connected to serve any more. A circuit as set forth in claim 3 or 4, wherein a few comparators, including a few of the comparators adjacent to the lowest or highest order comparator, derive the output inhibit signal. .

Inventors: YOSHII YOJI, YOSHII, YOJI
Applicants: SONY CORP, SONY CORPORATION
Application year: 1988
Main classification: H03M1
IPC codes: H03M1