Abstract:
The invention relates to a continuous-time delta-sigma analog digital converter ( 10 ) for converting an analog input signal (IN) to a digital output signal (OUT), comprising an analog filter ( 20 ), which filters the analog input signal, a quantifier ( 30 ) cycled by a clock signal (CLK), which quantifier quantifies the filtered analog signal transmitted by the analog filter ( 20 ) to generate the digital output signal, and a feedback device ( 40 ) with at last one digital analog converter, which transmits at least one analog feedback signal based on the digital output signal (OUT) to the analog filter ( 20 ). To simplify the feedback without adversely affecting the converter stability and power consumption, provision is made, according to the invention, for the feedback device ( 40 ) for generating a feedback signal corresponding to the differentiated output signal of the quantifier, to comprise two digital analog converters ( 44 - 1, 44 - 2 ) to which the digital output signal (OUT) of the quantifier ( 30 ) is transmitted via a delay stage ( 42 - 1, 42 - 2 ) with different delays, and hose analog output signals are transmitted to an analog subtractor ( 24 - 3 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
   Scope of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a continuous-time delta sigma analog-digital converter for converting an analog input signal to a digital output signal, comprising:
         an analog filter which filters the analog input signal,   a quantifier cycled by a clock signal, which quantifier quantifies the filtered analog signal transmitted by analog filter for generating the digital output signal, and   a feedback device with at least one digital analog converter, which device transmits at least one analog feedback signal to analog filter on the basis of the digital output signal.       

   The invention further relates to a method for continuous-time delta-sigma analog digital conversion, comprising:
         an analog filtering of the input signal,   a quantification of the filtered analog signal cycled by a clock signal for generating the digital output signal, and   a feedback comprising at least one digital analog conversion for supplying at least one analog feedback signal on the basis of the digital output signal during analog filtering.       

   DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART 
   Such a converter and such a conversion method are disclosed, for example, in DE 103 42 057 A1. In this state of the art the digital output signal of the quantifier is simultaneously transmitted to two digital analog converters and the converted (analog) signals are fed back to the analog filter at respective summation nodes. 
   A fundamental problem with conventional continuous-time delta-sigma analog digital converters is the interval of time, which is unavoidable in practice, between the time of quantification and the time of output and feedback of the digital output signal. The stability of the converter is adversely affected by this delay. Furthermore, the feedback devices (digital analog converter, summating amplifier, etc.) are relatively expensive and/or consume a great deal of power in the case of delta-sigma analog digital converters of prior art. 
   OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of this invention is to simplify feedback in a delta-sigma-analog-digital converter of the type already mentioned without adversely affecting converter stability and power consumption. 
   In a continuous-time delta-sigma analog digital converter this object is achieved essentially in that the feedback device for generating a feedback signal corresponding to the differentiated output signal of the quantifier comprises two digital analog converters to which the digital output signal of the quantifier is transmitted via a delay stage with different delays and whose analog output signals are transmitted to an analog subtractor. 
   In the case of the conversion method of the type already mentioned, the object is achieved essentially in that the feedback for generating a feedback signal corresponding to the differentiated output signal of the quantifier comprises two digital analog conversions in which the digital output signal of the quantification, with different delays, is subjected to the digital analog conversions and the digital analog converted signals are subtracted from one another. 
   According to the invention a feedback signal is generated in a manner that is simple in terms of circuit technology and enables power to be saved, which signal corresponds to the differentiated output signal of the quantifier. In a preferred embodiment this feedback signal is fed directly back to the filter. However, the possibility that this feedback signal could be subjected to further processing before feedback to the filter cannot be ruled out. For example, the feedback signal may be subject one again, or even several times, to differentiation before it is coupled into the analog filter. It is also conceivable for further signals to be generated on the basis of the feedback signal first generated, which corresponds to the differentiated output signal of the quantifier, which signals are then fed back to the analog filter at different points. 
   Due to the new kind of feedback path of the invention, for the operation of which a desired delay (between the input signals of the two digital analog converters) is provided in any case, the unavoidable delay of the quantifier may also be advantageously considered when designing the feedback device. In this case the delay is considered to be part of the system to be compensated, thus a noise transfer function with a high quantification noise suppression in the signal band, with a simultaneous adequate stability limit, is possible. Summating amplifiers, which consume a relatively large quantity of power and would introduce an additional delay into the system, necessitating a faster quantifier (with higher power consumption) or a less “aggressive” noise transfer function to maintain converter stability, may be dispensed with. Finally, a particularly advantageous so-called “return-to-zero” feedback signal may be generated with the solution according to the invention for the circuit environment of interest here. 
   In one embodiment provision is made for the delta-sigma analog digital converter to be constructed so that it is fully differential. 
   A preferred production technology for the delta-sigma analog digital converter is CMOS technology. In particular, the converter may represent a function block of an integrated circuit device. 
   The analog filter preferably comprises at least one integrator and/or one resonator. When reference is made in the following to an integrator, the possibility of using a resonator instead of this integrator cannot be ruled out. An input stage of the filter is preferably formed by an integrator and/or a stage connected immediately before the quantifier may be formed by an integrator. Such an integrator may, for example, comprise a capacitively fed back operational amplifier. Alternatively an integrator may, for example, comprise a so-called transconductance stage (“OTA”) with a capacitive load. 
   In a preferred embodiment the feedback signal corresponding to the differentiated output signal of the quantifier may be transmitted (immediately or after further processing) to an integrator of the analog filter. This is preferably an integrator which is connected in series directly upstream of the quantifier. 
   In a known manner, a digital signal processor (DSP) can be connected downstream of the quantifier for further processing the digital output signal. In this case the digital output signal can be branched from a circuit node arranged between the quantifier and the digital signal processor and transmitted to the feedback device. 
   The delay stage is preferably designed as an arrangement of digital signal accumulators whose accumulator values are read in and/or out in a cycled manner. In this case cycling preferably takes place by means of a clock signal which is identical to the clock signal used for cycling the quantifier (or is derived from it). 
   In one embodiment provision is made for the digital output signal of the quantifier to be transmitted directly to the input of one of the two digital analog converters, whilst this output signal is transmitted via a delay element to the input of the other of the two digital analog converters. 
   In another embodiment provision is made for the delay stage to comprise:
         a first delay element to which the digital output signal is transmitted, e.g. directly, and which supplies the digital output signal delayed by a first delay to the input of a first of the two digital analog converters, and   a second delay element, to which the digital output signal delayed by the first delay is transmitted and which supplies this signal, delayed by a second delay, to the input of a second of the two digital analog converters.       

   In the latter variant provision is made, according to a preferred embodiment, for both the first delay and the second delay to correspond to half a cycle period of the clock signal. 
   The delay elements may each be designed as digital signal accumulators cycled by the clock signal, e.g. as signal accumulator registers such as flipflops, etc. 
   Both digital analog converters of the feedback device are preferably designed so that their analog output signals are current signals. Such signals may be subtracted from each other in a particularly simple, exact manner in terms of circuit arrangement, or, in an equivalent manner, may be added together with opposite polarity. 
   In one embodiment the quantifier has a plurality of quantification stages. In one embodiment, for example, 16 quantification stages (equivalent to 4 bits) are provided. 
   It is advantageous, both for fast quantification and for fast digital analog conversion in the feedback device, for the digital output signal of the quantifier to have thermometer coding. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is further described in the following by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows a functional block diagram of a delta-sigma digital analog converter, 
       FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of the converter in  FIG. 1 , and 
       FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of a detail from  FIG. 2  and time curves for signals generated on it. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  illustrates diagrammatically the structure of a delta-sigma analog digital converter  10  for converting an analog input signal IN to a digital output signal OUT. 
   Converter  10  comprises an analog filter  20  for filtering analog input signal IN, a 4-bit quantizer  30  cycled by a clock signal for generating digital output signal OUT, by quantifying the signal transmitted by analog filter  20 , and a feedback device  40  for feeding back analog feedback signals on the basis of digital output signal OUT. 
   Quite generally the integrated (“sigma”) difference (“delta”) between an analog input signal and an analog representation of the quantified digital output signal, in a delta-sigma analog digital converter, is transmitted to the quantifier (analog digital converter stage). In another embodiment of such a converter, also referred to as “delta modulator” in the narrower sense, the difference (“delta”) between an analog input signal and the integral (“sigma”) of the quantified digital output signal is transmitted to the quantifier. Due to the feedback the quantifier generates an output bit stream whose value follows the analog input signal in the time average. The continuous-time delta-sigma analog digital converter has the advantage over time-discrete delta-sigma analog digital converters of a lower power input and, at a predetermined power input, the advantage of a higher signal bandwidth. 
   Since time-discrete scanning or sampling takes place in a continuous-time delta-sigma analog digital converter in the region of the quantifier, and the values of the digital output signal are only of interest at discrete times, such converters and the signals generated on it are normally analyzed in the so-called Z-domain. The Z transformation assigns a function of the complex variables z to a sequence of numbers (here: signal value sequence). The aim here is to transform certain mathematical operations, which are difficult to control within the range of sequences, into simpler operations for the image functions. 
   Correspondingly  FIG. 1  symbolizes the functions of the circuit components shown by mathematical operators in the Z-domain. 
   Analog filter  20  comprises, in the exemplary example shown, a plurality of integrators  22 - 1 ,  22 - 2  and  22 - 3  (integrator cascade), which, together with addition points  24 - 1 ,  24 - 2 ,  24 - 3 , a forward coupling element  26  and feedback element  28 , form a filter network. The configuration of filter  20  shown is obviously only to be considered an example and may be modified within a wide range by a method of prior art. 
   A peculiarity of converter  10  consists in the fact that a feedback signal corresponding to the differentiated output signal OUT of quantifier  30  is generated by means of feedback device  40  and is fed back to a point on filter  20 , namely addition point  24 - 3 . This addition point  24 - 3  forms at its output the input signal for integrator  22 - 3 , which is connected directly downstream of quantifier  30 . 
   The feedback signal corresponding to the differentiated output signal OUT is in this case generated by the mutual subtraction of two signals, which correspond to different time-delayed versions of output signal OUT. As shown in  FIG. 1 , addition point  24 - 2  is also used for the subtraction of the two signals by transmitting the signals to this addition point  24 - 3 , with opposite polarity. The two signals are generated by branching output signal OUT to a node  50  (at the output of quantifier  30 ) and subjecting them to different delays. In  FIG. 1  this different delay is represented by two delay elements  42 - a  and  42 - b , each with a downstream connected coupling element  44 - 1  and  44 - 2  respectively, symbolizing a certain amplification (or attenuation) or weighting. 
   A conventional feedback path, which leads from branching node  50  (via delay element  42 - a ) to addition point  24 - 1 , can be seen in  FIG. 1 . 
   Since the functional block diagram in  FIG. 1  only reproduces the mathematical operations on the individual signals, independently of their representation (analog or digital), the digital analog conversion required in the feedback paths in the circuit implementation is not shown. A possible circuit implementation of converter  10  is explained in the following with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     FIG. 2  shows a detailed block diagram of delta-sigma analog digital converter  10 , where the same reference numbers as in  FIG. 1  are used for components with the same action 
   In the implementation shown, integrators  22 - 1 ,  22 - 2  and  22 - 3  of analog filter  20  are each realized by suitably externally switched operational amplifiers OPAMP 1 , OPAMP 2  and OPAMP 3 . Analog input signal IN is represented by an input voltage V IN  and the digital output signal is represented by an output voltage signal V OUT . 
   Quantifier  30  has 16 quantification stages and represents output signal OUT in a thermometer coding on 15 output lines which, for the sake of the simplicity of the representation in  FIG. 2 , are symbolized only by a single line connection. Quantifier  30  is constructed for this purpose, by a method of prior art, as a parallel connection of 15 comparators with 15 comparator thresholds arranged in a “conductor”. A common clock signal CLK is transmitted to the comparators simultaneously, via which signal the respective comparisons of the filtered input signal with the comparator thresholds are carried out at time-discrete periodic times so that a 4-bit output signal OUT, supplied cycled, is present at the output of quantifier  30 . The physical representation is provided according to the thermometer coding in 15 digital voltages (symbolized by V OUT ). 
   A calibration circuit  32  is provided for accurate setting of the comparator thresholds in the operation of converter  10 . A digital signal processor (DSP)  60 , for further digital processing of the bit stream output by quantifier  30 , is also seen in  FIG. 2 . 
   Feedback device  40  of converter  10  is formed essentially by circuit components  42 - 1 ,  42 - 2 ,  44 - 1 ,  44 - 2  and  46  described in the following. These components are resented only by simple drawing in  FIG. 2  for the sake of simplicity of the representation. These components are actually provided 15-fold, parallel with each other, according to the processing of the signal transmitted via 15 lines corresponding to a thermometer coding. 
   The conventional feedback path from branching node  50  to first integrator  22 - 1  of analog filter  20  is realized by a digital signal accumulator  42 - 1  designed as a so-called “latch” and operated in cycled manner by clock signal CLK (more precisely: the inverted version CLK-B of clock signal CLK), to which accumulator digital output signal OUT is transmitted and whose output signal is in turn transmitted to the input of a digital analog converter  46 . The output signal of digital analog converter  46  is transmitted as a fully differential current signal to integrator  22 - 1 . The addition symbolized at  24 - 1  in  FIG. 1  is carried out by a corresponding addition on the one hand of the currents supplied via coupling-in resistances R 1  and on the other hand of the currents supplied at the output of digital analog converter  46 . 
   Latch  42 - 1  is a register whose output signal follows the input signal when the input clock signal CLK-B is in a particular condition of the two possible clock signal conditions (The clock signal serves to a certain extent as a “permission signal”). In the conventional use of a square wave clock signal CLK, which has a logic level “1” during the first half of a cycle period T, and a logic level “0” during the second half of the cycle period, output signal OUT, delayed by half the cycle period of clock signal CLK, is generated at the output of signal accumulator  42 - 1 . From the circuit point of view, signal accumulator  42 - 1  drawn in  FIG. 2 , consists of a parallel arrangement of 15 1-bit signal accumulators for the parallel delay of the signal levels shown on 15 lines. 
   Output signal OUT delayed by signal accumulator  42 - 1  by half a cycle period is also transmitted to the input of a digital analog converter  44 - 1 , which supplies at its output a fully differential signal (corresponding to the result of the digital analog conversion). Moreover, the output signal of digital signal accumulator  42 - 1  is transmitted to the input of a second digital signal accumulator  42 - 2  which is constructed similarly to first signal accumulator  42 - 1 , but is operated in a cycled manner with the non-inverted clock signal CLK. Second signal accumulator  42 - 2  again delays the signal transmitted to it by half a cycle period of clock signal CLK, so that a version of output signal OUT generally delayed by a whole cycle period T of clock signal CLK is supplied to the output of second signal accumulator  42 - 2  because of the arrangement of signal accumulators  42 - 1  and  42 - 2  acting as delay elements one behind the other. This output signal of second signal accumulator  42 - 2  is transmitted to the input of a digital analog converter  44 - 2  which (like digital analog converter  44 - 1 ) supplies a fully differential current signal which, like the output signal of digital analog converter  44 - 1 , is fed into the region of integrator  22 - 3 . The superposition of the different currents shown in  FIG. 2  in the region of integrator  22 - 3  is the physical realization of addition point  24 - 3  shown in the functional block diagram in  FIG. 1 . 
   The two signal accumulators  42 - 1 ,  42 - 2  and the two digital analog converters  44 - 1 ,  44 - 2  together form a functional block of feedback device  40  for generating a feedback signal corresponding to differentiated output signal OUT of quantifier  30 . In this case the generation of this differentiated signal is based on the analog subtraction of two signals which are supplied from the digital output signal by the provision of different delays and in each case by a digital analog conversion. 
   The two different signal delays are preferably chosen, as shown, as a first delay by half a cycle period and a second delay by a whole cycle period (cf. z −1/2  and z −1  in  FIG. 1 ). In the circuit realization in  FIG. 2 , this first delay is effected by first signal accumulator  42 - 1  and the second signal delay is effected by the connection of the two signal accumulators  42 - 1 ,  42 - 2  one behind the other. 
   The generation of the signal corresponding to the differentiated output signal OUT by the functional block of feedback device  40  described is explained one again in the following with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     FIG. 3  once again shows, in its upper half, components  42 - a ,  42 - b ,  44 - 1 ,  44 - 2  and  24 - 3 , which are used for generating the differentiated signal, here denoted by reference number  3 . 
   Differentiated signal  3  is generated by the subtraction of signal  2 , delayed by a whole cycle period, from signal  1  delayed by half a cycle period. 
   Exemplary curves of signals  1 ,  2  and  3  are represented in the lower half of  FIG. 3  on a common time axis (cycle period T). As can easily be seen in this representation, signal  3  obtained by subtraction (or by addition with an opposite prefix), represents a (quantified) approximation for the time derivation of the transmitted signal OUT. When using signal  3  for feedback in a delta-sigma digital analog converter it is particularly advantageous here for this signal  3  to represent a so-called “return-to-zero” signal, i.e. a signal which returns to the value of zero after the expiration of half a cycle period T/2. 
   Although the feedback signal corresponding to the differentiated output signal of the quantifier is coupled directly into the analog filter in the exemplary embodiment described above, this is by no means compulsory. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment described, this signal could first be subjected to further processing before being coupled in at the point described or any other point in the filter.