Patent Abstract:
A method and corresponding apparatus are provided. In operation, an analog signal is integrated with an integrator to generate an integrated analog signal. The integrated analog signal is compared, in synchronization with a first clock signal and a second clock signal, to a reference voltage with a plurality of comparators to generate a comparator output signal. A feedback current is then generated, in synchronization with the second clock signal, from the comparator output signal. The feedback current is fed back to at least one of the comparators, and the comparator output signal is latched in synchronization with the first clock signal to generate a latched output signal. This latched output signal is converted to a feedback analog signal, and a difference between the analog signal and the feedback analog signal is determined.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates generally to a sigma delta modulator (SDM) and, more particularly, to excess loop delay (ELD) for an SDM. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , a conventional SDM  100  can be seen. This SDM  100  generally comprises an integrator pipeline  114  (which generally includes stage  112 - 1  to  112 -N coupled in series with one another), a comparator  106 , and a latch  108 . Each of the stages  112 - 1  to  112 -N generally comprises an adder  102 - 1  to  102 -N (which is typically a node for a single-ended SDM and a pair of nodes for a differential SDM), an integrator  104 - 1  to  104 -N, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)  110 - 1  to  110 -N. In operation, the integrator pipeline  114  (which helps to form an N-th order SDM) generally integrates the analog signal IN so that the comparator  106  can compare the integrated analog signal IN to one or more reference voltages. Typically, comparator  106  is comprised of several latched comparators arranged as a flash analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that perform the comparison(s) in synchronization with the clocks signal CLK (where each comparator receives at least one of the reference voltages). Usually, however, the output(s) of comparator  106  are not fully resolved digital signals, so latch  108  (which is clocked by or latches in synchronization with the inverse of the clock signal CLK) can generate fully resolved digital signals (i.e., rail-to-rail signals). The output from the latch can then be fed back to the stages  112 - 1  to  112 -N so that these digital output(s) can be converted to analog signals and subtracted at adders  102 - 1  to  102 -N. There are some drawbacks to this arrangement; namely, parasitic poles and/or unaccounted for excess delay (which may exist due to parasitic poles or paths) can lead to unstable behavior. Therefore, there is a need for an improved SDM. 
     Some other conventional circuits are: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,729,230 6,414,615; 7,405,687; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,880,654. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of the present invention, accordingly, provides an apparatus. The apparatus comprises an adder having a first input and a second input, wherein the adder determines a difference between the first and second inputs; an integrator having an input and an output, wherein the input of the integrator is coupled to the adder; a first comparator having an input and an output, wherein the input of the first comparator is coupled to the output of the integrator, and wherein the first comparator is clocked by a first clock signal; a second comparator having an input and an output, wherein the input of the second comparator is coupled to the output of the first comparator, and wherein the second comparator is clocked by a second clock signal; a latch having an input and an output, wherein the input of the latch is coupled to the output of the second comparator, wherein the latch is clocked by the first clock signal; a track-and-hold (T/H) circuit having an input and an output, wherein the input of the T/H circuit is coupled to the output of the second comparator, and wherein the output of the T/H circuit is coupled to the input of the first comparator, and wherein the T/H circuit is controlled by the second clock signal; and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) having an input and an output, wherein the input of the DAC is coupled to the output of the latch, and wherein the output of the DAC is coupled to the second input of the adder. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the second clock signal is an inverse of the first clock signal. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the inputs and outputs of each of the adder, integrator, comparator, latch, T/H circuit, and DAC are differential. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the adder further comprises a pair of nodes. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the T/H circuit further comprises a T/H cell having: a pair of input switches that are activated and deactivated by the second clock signal and that are coupled to the output of the comparator; and a current steering circuit that is coupled to the input of comparator and the pair of input switches. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the current steering circuit further comprises: a pair of transistors, wherein each transistor is coupled to the input of the comparator, and wherein each transistor is coupled to at least one of the pair of input switches; and a current source that is coupled to each of the transistors. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each transistor further comprises an NMOS transistor. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the comparator further comprises a plurality of latched comparators arranged as a flash analog-to-digital converter (ADC). 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises an integrator pipeline having a plurality of stages coupled in series with one another, wherein each stage includes: an adder; an integrator that is coupled to the adder; and a DAC that is coupled to the adder; a first comparator having an input and an output, wherein the input of the first comparator is coupled to the output of the integrator pipeline, and wherein the first comparator is clocked by a first clock signal; a second comparator having an input and an output, wherein the input of the second comparator is coupled to the output of the first comparator, and wherein the second comparator is clocked by a second clock signal; a latch having an input and an output, wherein the input of the latch is coupled to the output of the comparator, and wherein the output of the latch is coupled to the DAC from each stage, wherein the latch is clocked by the first clock signal; a T/H circuit having an input and an output, wherein the input of the T/H circuit is coupled to the output of the second comparator, and wherein the output of the T/H circuit is coupled to the input of the first comparator, and wherein the T/H circuit is controlled by the second clock signal. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the inputs and outputs of each of the adder, comparator, latch, and T/H circuit are differential. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the comparator further comprises a plurality of latched comparators arranged as a flash ADC, and wherein the output of the comparator further comprises a plurality of outputs. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided. The method comprises integrating an analog signal with an integrator to generate an integrated analog signal; comparing, in synchronization with a first clock signal and a second clock signal, the integrated analog signal to a reference voltage with a plurality of comparators to generate a comparator output signal; generating a feedback current, in synchronization with the second clock signal, from the comparator output signal; providing the feedback current back to at least one of the comparators; latching the comparator output signal in synchronization with the first clock signal to generate a latched output signal; converting the latched output signal to a feedback analog signal; and determining a difference between the analog signal and the feedback analog signal. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the comparator output signal further comprises a plurality of comparator output signals, and wherein the reference voltage further comprises a plurality of reference voltages, and wherein the step of comparing further comprises comparing the integrated analog signal to each of the reference signals to generate the plurality of comparator output signals. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the step of amplifying further comprises: actuating a plurality of switched in synchronization with the second clock signal, wherein each switch is associated with at least one of the comparator output signals; and applying each of the comparator output signal to at least one of a plurality of current steering circuits. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of an example of a conventional SDM; 
         FIGS. 2-10  are diagrams corresponding to a model of an SDM; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram of an example of an SDM in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram of an example of the track-and-hold (T/H) circuit of  FIG. 11 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram of an example of an T/H cell of  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  are a more detailed example of ELD compensation circuitry. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are, for the sake of clarity, not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views. 
     To understand some of the problems associated with SDM  100 , an analysis of the performance can be performed. Since SDM  100  is a continuous time SDM, there is an inherent difficulty in analyzing its performance because sampling is performed within the feedback loop of the SDM  100 . Thus, a discrete time SDM equivalent model, as shown in  FIG. 2 , can be used, and, further for the sake of simplicity of analysis, comparator  106  can be a 1-bit comparator. In this model, H(s) represent a filter corresponding to integrators (i.e., integrator pipeline  114 ), while H d (s) represents a filter corresponding to a DAC (i.e.,  110 - 1 ). Additionally, because there are delays within the loop, blocks ELD and ID (which generally correspond to Excess Loop Delay and Inserted Delay) are also included. As a result of this configuration, the impulse response G(z) (in the z-domain) for the loop is:
 
 G ( z )= Z{h ( t )* h   d ( t )| t=nTs }  (1)
 
where h(t) and h d (t) are the impulse responses (in the time domain) associated with the H(s) and H d (s) blocks, respectively, and where the Ts is the sample period (which is assumed to be equal to 1 as an example and for the sake of simplicity.
 
     Turning to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one can begin to examine the introduction of delays into the loop of  FIG. 2 . In this example, a feedback f 1  is introduced between the DAC and adder, resulting in an impulse response g 1 (t) for the loop of  FIG. 3  being:
 
 g   1 ( t )= h   1 ( t )* h   DAC ( t ),  (2)
 
which can be seen in  FIG. 4 . The noise transfer function NTF(z) (in the z-domain) is also:
 
                     NTF   ⁡     (   z   )       =       1     1   +       f   1     ⁢       G   1     ⁡     (   z   )             .             (   3   )               
Under the circumstances where the end of the DAC pulse is less than one sampling period Ts (i.e., 0≦α&lt;1, α&lt;β≦1), the resulting impulse response G 1 (z) (in the z-domain) for the loop of  FIG. 3  is:
 
                         G   1     ⁡     (   z   )       =         (     β   -   α     )     ⁢     z     -   1           1   -     z     -   1             ,           (   4   )               
yielding a noise transfer function NTF(z) of:
 
                       NTF   ⁡     (   z   )       =       1   -     z     -   1           1   -     z     -   1       +         f   1     ⁡     (     β   -   α     )       ⁢     z     -   1               ,           (   5   )               
Thus, to achieve a desired noise transfer function NTF(z) of 1−z −1 , the feedback f 1  would be:
 
                     f   1     =       1     β   -   α       .             (   6   )               
When the end of the DAC pulse exceeds one sampling period Ts (i.e., 0&lt;α&lt;1, β&gt;1), the resulting impulse response G 1 (z) (in the z-domain) for the loop of  FIG. 3  is:
 
                         G   1     ⁡     (   z   )       =           (     1   -   α     )     ⁢     z     -   1         -       (     1   -   β     )     ⁢     z     -   2             1   -     z     -   1             ,           (   7   )               
yielding a noise transfer function NTF(z) of:
 
                       NTF   ⁡     (   z   )       =       1   -     z     -   1           1   -     z     -   1       +         f   1     ⁡     (     1   -   α     )       ⁢     z     -   1         -         f   1     ⁡     (     1   -   β     )       ⁢     z     -   2               ,           (   8   )               
where no feedback f 1  satisfies the condition of having the noise transfer function NTF(z) to be 1−z −1  because the order of the impulse response G 1 (z) for the loop of  FIG. 3  increases by one when the end of the DAC pulse exceeds one sampling period. Thus, the feedback f 1  introduces a delay which cannot be compensated for without additional circuitry when the end of the DAC pulse is greater than one sampling period Ts.
 
     To address this issue, an additional feedback f 2  can be introduced prior to the comparator (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). The impulse response g 2 (t) for this “inner loop” is then:
 
 g   2 ( t )= h   DAC ( t ),  (9)
 
which can be seen in  FIG. 6 . Under the circumstances where the end of the DAC pulse is less than one sampling period Ts such that α=0 and β≦1, the resulting impulse response G 2 (z) (in the z-domain) for “inner loop” of  FIG. 5  is:
 
 G   2 ( z )=1,  (9)
 
This means that the total noise transfer function NTF(z) (in the z-domain) is:
 
                     NTF   ⁡     (   z   )       =       1     1   +       f   1     ⁢       G   1     ⁡     (   z   )         +       f   2     ⁢       G   2     ⁡     (   z   )             =         1   -     z     -   1           1   -     z     -   1       +         f   1     ⁡     (     β   -   α     )       ⁢     z     -   1         +       f   2     ⁡     (     1   -     z     -   1         )           .               (   10   )               
So, to achieve a desired noise transfer function NTF(z) of 1−z −1 , the feedbacks f 1  and f 2  would be:
 
                     f   1     =       1     β   -   α       .             (   11   )                 f   2     =   0.           (   12   )               
Where the end of the DAC pulse is less than one sampling period Ts such that 0&lt;α&lt;1 and α&lt;β≦1, the resulting impulse response G 2 (z) (in the z-domain) for the “inner loop” of  FIG. 5  is:
 
 G   2 ( z )=0,  (13)
 
which would again lead to the feedbacks f 1  and f 2  being:
 
                     f   1     =       1     β   -   α       .             (   14   )                 f   2     =   0.           (   15   )               
As it can be directly observed, because feedback f 2  is zero, no information is provided by the “inner loop” when the end of the DAC pulse is less than one sampling period Ts. This means that the “inner loop” of  FIG. 5  would not affect the performance of the “outer loop” of  FIG. 5  when the end of the DAC pulse is less than one sampling period Ts.
 
     For the case where the end of the DAC pulse exceeds one sampling period Ts, however, the “inner loop” does provide information to allow for compensation. For this case, the resulting impulse response G 2 (z) (in the z-domain) for “inner loop” of  FIG. 5  is:
 
 G   2 ( z )= z   −1 ,  (16)
 
yielding a total noise transfer function NTF(z) (in the z-domain) of:
 
                     NTF   ⁡     (   z   )       =       ⁢       1     1   +       f   1     ⁢       G   1     ⁡     (   z   )         +       f   2     ⁢       G   2     ⁡     (   z   )             =         1   -     z     -   1           1   -     z     -   1       +         f   1     ⁡     (     1   -   α     )       ⁢     z     -   1         -         f   1     ⁡     (     1   -   β     )       ⁢     z     -   2         +       f   1     ⁢       z     -   1       ⁡     (     1   -     z     -   1         )             .               (   17   )               
To achieve a desired noise transfer function NTF(z) of 1−z −1 , the feedbacks f 1  and f 2  would be:
 
                     f   1     =       1     β   -   α       .             (   18   )                 f   2     =         β   -   1       β   -   α       .             (   19   )               
Thus, feedback f 2  provides an extra degree of freedom that allows for compensation of the delay within the “outer loop” of  FIG. 5 , meaning that the “inner loop” can provide compensation when the “outer loop” cannot.
 
     A problem with this arrangement, however, is that the SDM of  FIG. 5  becomes unstable when unaccounted for poles exist with feedbacks f 1  and f 2 . These poles will be present, and can be modeled (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) by introducing filters H p (s), which represent the parasitic poles. With a small delay (i.e., about 3% of the sample period), a parasitic path modeled as extra delay in the feedback path can be observed in  FIG. 8 . The reason for this instability can be seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10  (which are for non-return-to-zero (NRZ) and/or return-to-zero (RZ) DACs, respectively). For the NRZ case of  FIG. 9 , the feedback (broken line) arrives too late, so the “inner loop” can no longer perform the compensation. For the RZ case of  FIG. 10 , no feedback exists at the sampling instants, so the “inner loop” has almost no effect. Ultimately, the pulse is missing at one clock delay, which indicates that the delay for the “inner loop” should be shorter than one clock period. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 11 , an SDM  200  with an embodiment in accordance with the present invention can be seen. As shown, SDM  200  includes many of the same components as SDM  100 , except that SDM includes feedback “inner loop” (which generally corresponds to the feedback f 2  of  FIGS. 5 and 7 ). This feedback “inner loop” is generally comprised of an T/H circuit  202  that receives the inverse of the clock signal CLK such that is transparent when the clock signal CLK is logic low or “0.” Because of the instability introduced by using a full clock delay (at the output of latch  116 ). This “inner loop” is coupled between the input of comparator  204  and output of the comparator  206  (which may be a flash ADC having pipelined comparators clocked off opposite clock edges). This T/H circuit  202  (as shown in  FIG. 12 ) is generally comprised of a number of T/H cells  302 - 1  to  302 -R (where each cell is coupled to an output of comparator  206  so as to respectively receive comparator output signals COUTP-1/COUTM-1 to COUTP-R/COUTM-R). Each cell  302 - 1  to  302 -R is then coupled to the input terminals of the comparator  204  so as to provide feedback signal CINM and CINP. Each cell  302 - 1  to  302 -R (herein after  302 ), as shown in  FIG. 13 , generally comprises a pair of switches S 1  and S 2  (or a signal switch for a signal-ended SDM) and a current steering circuit  402 , and the current steering circuit  402  generally comprises transistors Q 2  and Q 1  (which can, for example, be NMOS transistors) and a current source  404 . 
     Generally, at the end of a half-cycle of the clock signal CLK, the comparators  204  and  206  do not provide fully resolved digital signals, so, when the inverse of the clock signal or clockbar signal  CLK  activates the switches (i.e., S 1  and S 2 ), a partially resolved differential signal COUTP and COUTM is provided. Each of the input switches S 1  and S 2  includes a parasitic capacitance CP 1  and CP 2 , which can function as the sampling capacitors for the partially resolved (or fully resolved in some cases) differential signal COUTP and COUTM. In general, however, the outputs from comparator  206  will be fully resolved, while comparator  204  will not produce fully resolved digital signals. By placing the T/H circuit  202  after comparator  206 , when the clockbar signal  CLK  transitions to logic high or “1,” the SDM  200  will begin with a small non-full scale signal and most of the time resolve to a full-scale signal. But, under some circumstances, there may not be full resolution. Because (in these case) the differential signal COUTP and COUTM may not fully resolved (meaning that the inputs to the T/H circuit  202  may range from low amplitude analog levels to full resolved digital levels), the current steering circuit  402  functions as a transconductance amplifier, so, even with very small (analog level) signals output from comparator  206 , some information can be fed back via the T/H circuit  202 , which is contrary to conventional systems that expect full resolved (digital level) signals to generate feedback currents. Thus, T/H circuit  202  is able to provide feedback (i.e., feedback f 2 ) to compensate for loop delay or to provide ELD compensation. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a more detailed example of ELD compensation circuitry (namely comparators  204  and  206  and T/H circuit  202 -A) can be seen. In this example, the T/H circuit  202  (which is labeled  202 -A) is generally comprised of a single T/H cell that includes transistors Q 1  and Q 2 , parasitic capacitors CP 1  and CP 2 , switches S 1  and S 2 , and current source  404  (which are described in detail above). Comparators  204  and  206  are each generally comprised of a preamplifier (transistors Q 3  to Q 6 , current source  502 , and resistors R 1  and R 2  for comparator  204  and transistors Q 9  to Q 11 , current source  504 , and resistors R 5  and R 6  for comparator  206 ) and a latch (transistors Q 7  and Q 8 , resistors R 3  and R 4 , and switches S 3  to S 6  for comparator  204  and transistors Q 13  and Q 14 , resistors R 7  and R 8 , and switches S 7  to S 10  for comparator  206 . As shown when the clock signal CLK transitions to logic low, the input to comparator  204  is amplified while its latch is reset; the same is true for comparator  206  when the clockbar signal  CLK  transitions to logic low. Then, when the clock signal CLK transitions to logic high for comparator  204  (or, similar when clockbar signal  CLK  transitions to logic high for comparator  206 ), the comparator  204  (or comparator  206 ) enters regeneration, and ELD compensation is provided through the cascode nodes of the preamplifier of comparator  204 . 
     Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7