Method for eliminating the zero point error in an iterative analog-digital converter

Claim 1

A method for the zero point equalization of an operational amplifier used an an analog quantity comparator in an analog-digital converter, such comparator having first and second inputs connected respectively to the output of the digital-analog coverter and to an analog signal to be converted, said digital-analog coverter operating according to the iterative principle, comprising the steps of: connecting a zero equalization capacitor in circuit with said first input at the beginning of an equalization phase, setting the output singal of the digital-analog converter and said second input equal to a reference potential, and connecting a feedback network between the output of the comparator and its said first input, whereby said capacitor is charged and the output signal of the comparator arrives at the decision threshold between the equality and inequality of the analog values at the comparator inputs, and wherein the amplifier elements of said comparator are designed as a bipolar integrated circuit and including the steps of employing a feedback network having a constant current source which delivers a current for compensating the discharging of said zero equalization capacitor by the input current delivered to the comparator, and connecting said constant current source during the equalization phase to attain the decision threshold of the comparator, and said constant current source delivering slightly more current than the input current to the comparator during the operating phase which follows said equalization phase.

Claim 2

A method for the zero point equalization of an operational amplifier used an an analog quantity comparator in an analog-digital converter, such comparator having first and second inputs connected respectively to the output of the digital-analog coverter and to an analog signal to be converted, said digital-analog coverter operating according to the iterative principle, comprising the steps of: connecting a zero equalization capacitor in circuit with said first input at the beginning of an equalization phase, setting the output singal of the digital-analog converter and said second input equal to a reference potential, and connecting a feedback network between the output of the comparator and its said first input, whereby said capacitor is charged and the output signal of the comparator arrives at the decision threshold between the equality and inequality of the analog values at the comparator inputs, and wherein the amplifier elements of said comparator are designed as a bipolar integrated circuit and including the steps of employing a feedback network having a constant current source which delivers a current for compensating the discharging of said zero equalization capacitor by the input current delivered to the comparator, and connecting said constant current source during the equalization phase to attain the decision threshold of the comparator, and said constant current source delivering slightly more current than the input current to the comparator during the operating phase which follows said equalization phase.

Claim 3

A method for the zero point equalization of an operational amplifier used as a analog quantity comparator in an analog-digital converter, such comparator having first and second inputs connected respectively to the output of the digital-analog coverter and to an analog signal to be coverted, said digital-analog converter operating according to the iterative principle, comprising the steps of: connecting a zero equalization capacitor in circuit with said first input at the beginning of an equalization phase, setting the output signal of the digital-analog converter and said second input equal to a reference portential, and connecting a feedback network between the output of the comparator and its said first input, whereby said capacitor is charged and the output signal of the comparator arrives at the decision threshold between the equality and inequality of the analog values at the comparator inputs, including the step of employing a second operational amplifier as a current-voltage converter for the connecting of the output signal of the digital-analog converter to said comparator, and disconnecting said feedback network following the zero point equalization of the comparator and, during a second equalization phase, connecting said feedback network to a second zero equalization capacitor and to a second input of the current-voltage converter which is not connected with the output of the digital-analog converter, whereby the second capacitor is charged to a zero equalization level.

Claim 4

A method for the zero point equalization of an operational amplifier used as a analog quantity comparator in an analog-digital converter, such comparator having first and second inputs connected respectively to the output of the digital-analog coverter and to an analog signal to be coverted, said digital-analog converter operating according to the iterative principle, comprising the steps of: connecting a zero equalization capacitor in circuit with said first input at the beginning of an equalization phase, setting the output signal of the digital-analog converter and said second input equal to a reference portential, and connecting a feedback network between the output of the comparator and its said first input, whereby said capacitor is charged and the output signal of the comparator arrives at the decision threshold between the equality and inequality of the analog values at the comparator inputs, including the step of employing a second operational amplifier as a current-voltage converter for the connecting of the output signal of the digital-analog converter to said comparator, and disconnecting said feedback network following the zero point equalization of the comparator and, during a second equalization phase, connecting said feedback network to a second zero equalization capacitor and to a second input of the current-voltage converter which is not connected with the output of the digital-analog converter, whereby the second capacitor is charged to a zero equalization level.