Patent ID: 8878708

Claim:
A method of extending the dynamic range of a system analog-to-digital conversion system comprising: receiving an analog signal; amplifying said analog signal via at least one amplifier; converting said analog signal amplified by a first of said at least one amplifiers into a first digital signal via a first analog-to-digital conversion system; converting said analog signal unamplified, or amplified via a second of said at least one amplifiers, into a second digital signal via a second analog-to-digital conversion system; receiving a first sample from said first digital signal; receiving a second sample from said second digital signal; applying a current calculated gain value to said first sample to create a calculated sample; outputting said calculated sample as an output; automatically switching said output from said calculated sample to said second sample if said calculated sample exceeds a first setpoint; activating a timer to countdown from a maximum value; and automatically switching said output from said second sample to said calculated sample upon the expiration of said timer.