← Back to Patent Explorer
US6020838A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

System and method for generating a sigma-delta correction circuit using matrix calculation of linearity error correction coefficients

Assignee: National Instruments Corp
•
Filing: 1998-11-04
•
Granted: 2000-02-01
•
Expires: 2018-11-04
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A system and method for reducing linearity errors in a delta-sigma converter. The linearity errors in the delta-sigma converter are modeled by generating a set of digital signals representative of an inputted sine wave. The set of digital signals are low-pass filtered and subjected to a fast Fourier transform algorithm to generate a frequency domain representation of the sine wave. Thereafter, a net linearity error spectrum is removed from the frequency domain representation and inverse Fourier transform back into the time domain. The filtered set of digital signals are also sorted into subsets of digital signals where each signal in a subset corresponds to a particular output of a delta-sigma modulator contained within the delta-sigma converter. A fast Fourier transform algorithm is applied to each of the filtered subsets of digital signals to generate a frequency domain representation thereof. Specific linearity errors are generated by applying an inverse Fourier transform algorithm to each of the specific linearity error spectrums in the frequency domain representations of the filtered subsets of digital signals. Thereafter, linearity error correction coefficients are generated as a function of the net linearity error and the specific linearity errors. The linearity error correction coefficients are used to generate entries in a look-up table where the entries are adjustable by digital outputs of the delta-sigma modulator. The look-up table is used to correct digital signals outputted by the delta-sigma modulator prior to decimation and digital filter.

Inventors

  • 👤 Niels Knudsen
  • 👤 Mark Whittington

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 20:58
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03M; H03M3/00; H03M3/30; H03M3/38; H03M3/386; H03M3/388; H03M3/39; H03M3/412; H03M3/422; H03M3/424; H03M3/458

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 69
Claim 1
Independent Claim 163 words
A method for constructing a linear error correction circuit for use in a multi-bit delta-sigma converter, the method comprising: applying an analog waveform to the delta-sigma converter, wherein the delta-sigma converter generates output digital signals representative thereof; recording a plurality of the output digital signals; generating linearity error information from the recorded plurality of output digital signals, wherein said generating linearity error information includes generating specific linearity errors a(m) and generating a net linearity error E from the recorded plurality of output digital signals; calculating linearity error correction coefficients c(m) in response to the linearity error information, wherein said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) are generated by computing the matrix equation: c=(A.sup.T A).sup.-1 (A.sup.T E) where c is a column vector comprising the correction coefficients c(m); A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising the specific linearity errors a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error; and constructing the linear error correction circuit using said linearity error correction coefficients c(m).
Claim 2
Independent Claim 163 words
A method for constructing a linear error correction circuit for use in a multi-bit delta-sigma converter, the method comprising: applying an analog waveform to the delta-sigma converter, wherein the delta-sigma converter generates output digital signals representative thereof; recording a plurality of the output digital signals; generating linearity error information from the recorded plurality of output digital signals, wherein said generating linearity error information includes generating specific linearity errors a(m) and generating a net linearity error E from the recorded plurality of output digital signals; calculating linearity error correction coefficients c(m) in response to the linearity error information, wherein said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) are generated by computing the matrix equation: c=(A.sup.T A).sup.-1 (A.sup.T E) where c is a column vector comprising the correction coefficients c(m); A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising the specific linearity errors a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error; and constructing the linear error correction circuit using said linearity error correction coefficients c(m).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said constructing the linear error correction circuit comprises: generating a plurality of first digital values from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); constructing said linear error correction circuit using said plurality of first digital values.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said constructing said linear error correction circuit comprises configuring a look-up table including said plurality of first digital values; wherein said plurality of first digital values are addressable by an output of the delta-sigma converter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 78 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the delta-sigma converter is operable to convert an input analog signal into an output digital value, wherein the output digital value includes linearity errors; wherein the linear error correction circuit is operable to translate the output digital value into one of said plurality of first digital values, where said one of said plurality of first digital values has reduced linearity errors when compared to the linearity errors in the output digital value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 65 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the delta-sigma converter includes a D/A converter, wherein said D/A converter includes a plurality of current generators, wherein one or more of said current generators produces linearity errors in the delta-sigma converter, wherein each of said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) corresponds to a particular active state of a generator internal to the D/A converter in the delta-sigma converter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said constructing the linear error correction circuit comprises: generating a plurality of first digital values from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); constructing said linear error correction circuit using said plurality of first digital values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 105 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of first digital values are generated as a function of said error correction coefficients c(m) for each value of m from 1 to n, wherein n represents a number of current generators contained within the D/A converter of the delta-sigma converter; wherein said generating linearity error information includes: sorting the recorded plurality of output digital signals into n-1 subsets of output digital signals, each sub-set corresponding to a particular active state of a generator internal to the D/A converter in the delta-sigma converter; and generating said specific linearity errors a(m) from the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 68 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said generating specific linearity errors a(m) comprises: applying a frequency domain transform to the sub-sets of output digital signals to generate a frequency domain equivalent thereof; extracting specific linearity error spectrums from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals; generating the specific linearity errors a(m) by applying an inverse frequency domain transform to the specific linearity error spectrums.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 85 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the extracting the specific linearity error spectrums comprises performing two or more of the following: removing spectral content at zero frequency from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals; removing spectral content at a frequency of the analog waveform from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals; and removing spectral content from a range of frequencies containing quantization noise from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 73 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said generating the net linearity error E comprises: applying a frequency domain transform to the recorded plurality of output digital signals to generate a frequency domain representation thereof; extracting a net linearity error spectrum from the frequency domain representation of the recorded plurality of output digital signals; applying an inverse frequency domain transform algorithm to the net linearity error spectrum to generate the net linearity error E.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 87 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the extracting the net linearity error spectrum comprises performing two or more of the following: removing spectral content at zero frequency from the frequency domain representations of the recorded plurality of output digital signals; removing spectral content at a frequency of the analog waveform from the frequency domain representations of the recorded plurality of output digital signals; removing spectral content from a range of frequencies containing quantization noise from the frequency domain representations of the recorded plurality of output digital signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising specific linearity error spectrums a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error spectrum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 65 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the delta-sigma converter includes a D/A converter, wherein said D/A converter includes a plurality of current generators, wherein one or more of said current generators produces linearity errors in the delta-sigma converter, wherein each of said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) corresponds to a particular active state of a generator internal to the D/A converter in the delta-sigma converter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said constructing the linear error correction circuit comprises: generating a plurality of first digital values from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); constructing said linear error correction circuit using said plurality of first digital values.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 106 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of first digital values are generated as a function of said error correction coefficients c(m) for each value of m from 1 to n, wherein n represents a number of current generators contained within the D/A converter of the delta-sigma converter wherein said generating linearity error information includes: sorting the recorded plurality of output digital signals into n-1 subsets of output digital signals, each sub-set corresponding to a particular active state of a generator internal to the D/A converter in the delta-sigma converter; and generating the specific linearity error spectrums a(m) from the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 53 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said generating the specific linearity error spectrums a(m) comprises: applying a frequency domain transform algorithm to the sub-sets of output digital signals to generate a frequency domain equivalent thereof; extracting the specific linearity error spectrums from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 84 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the extracting the specific linearity error spectrums comprises performing two or more of the following: removing spectral content at zero frequency from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of digital signals; removing spectral content at a frequency of the analog waveform from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals; and removing spectral content from a range of frequencies containing quantization noise from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 54 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said generating the net linearity error spectrum E comprises: applying a frequency domain transform algorithm to the plurality of output digital signals to generate a frequency domain representation thereof; extracting the net linearity error spectrum E from the frequency domain representation of the plurality of output digital signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 84 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the extracting the net linearity error spectrum comprises performing two or more of the following: removing spectral content at zero frequency from the frequency domain representations of the plurality of output digital signals; removing spectral content at a frequency of the analog waveform from the frequency domain representations of the plurality of output digital signals; removing spectral content from a range of frequencies containing quantization noise from the frequency domain representations of the plurality of output digital signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 212 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the delta-sigma converter is operable to convert an input analog signal into one or more output digital values, wherein each of the output digital values includes linearity errors; wherein the delta-sigma converter includes a D/A converter, wherein said D/A converter includes a plurality of current generators, wherein one or more of said current generators produces the linearity errors in the delta-sigma converter, wherein each of said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) corresponds to a particular active state of a generator internal to the D/A converter in the delta-sigma converter; wherein said constructing the linear error correction circuit comprises: generating a plurality of first digital values from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); and constructing said linear error correction circuit using said plurality of first digital values; wherein the delta-sigma converter includes a plurality of possible code outputs, wherein a first digital value is constructed for each of said plurality of possible code outputs, wherein, for a respective code output, a respective first digital value is constructed by summing a corresponding output digital value from the delta-sigma converter and one or more of said correction coefficients c(m) which corresponds to a generator internal to the D/A converter which was active in producing the corresponding output digital value.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 264 words
A system for generating a linear error correction circuit for use in a multi-bit delta-sigma converter, the system comprising: an analog waveform generator selectively connected to the delta-sigma converter for providing an analog waveform to the delta-sigma converter, wherein the delta-sigma converter generates output digital signals representative of the analog waveform generated by the analog waveform generator when the analog waveform generator is connected to the delta-sigma converter; a first memory connected to the delta-sigma converter for storing the plurality of output digital signals representative of the analog waveform digital signals outputted by the delta-sigma converter; and a computer system, coupled to the first memory and to the linear error correction circuit, for calculating first digital signals from the plurality of output digital signals; wherein the computer is operable to generate linearity error information from the plurality of the output digital signals, said linearity information including specific linearity errors a(m) and a net linearity error E wherein the computer is operable to calculate linearity error correction coefficients c(m) in response to the linearity error information, wherein said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) are generated by computing the matrix equation: c=(A.sup.T A).sup.-1 (A.sup.T E) where c is a column vector comprising the correction coefficients c(m); A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising the specific linearity errors a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error; and wherein the computer is operable to generate the plurality of first digital signals from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); wherein the plurality of first digital signals are useable in configuring the linear error correction circuit.
Claim 23
Independent Claim 264 words
A system for generating a linear error correction circuit for use in a multi-bit delta-sigma converter, the system comprising: an analog waveform generator selectively connected to the delta-sigma converter for providing an analog waveform to the delta-sigma converter, wherein the delta-sigma converter generates output digital signals representative of the analog waveform generated by the analog waveform generator when the analog waveform generator is connected to the delta-sigma converter; a first memory connected to the delta-sigma converter for storing the plurality of output digital signals representative of the analog waveform digital signals outputted by the delta-sigma converter; and a computer system, coupled to the first memory and to the linear error correction circuit, for calculating first digital signals from the plurality of output digital signals; wherein the computer is operable to generate linearity error information from the plurality of the output digital signals, said linearity information including specific linearity errors a(m) and a net linearity error E wherein the computer is operable to calculate linearity error correction coefficients c(m) in response to the linearity error information, wherein said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) are generated by computing the matrix equation: c=(A.sup.T A).sup.-1 (A.sup.T E) where c is a column vector comprising the correction coefficients c(m); A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising the specific linearity errors a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error; and wherein the computer is operable to generate the plurality of first digital signals from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); wherein the plurality of first digital signals are useable in configuring the linear error correction circuit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 30 words
The system of claim 21, wherein A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising specific linearity error spectrums a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error spectrum.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 65 words
The system of claim 21, wherein the delta-sigma converter includes a D/A converter, wherein said D/A converter includes a plurality of current generators, wherein one or more of said current generators produces linearity errors in the delta-sigma converter, wherein each of said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) corresponds to a particular active state of a generator internal to the D/A converter in the delta-sigma converter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 113 words
The system of claim 23, wherein the plurality of first digital signals are generated as a function of said error correction coefficients c(m) for each value of m from 1 to n-1, wherein n represents a number of current generators contained within the D/A converter of the delta-sigma converter wherein, in generating said linearity error information, the computer is operable to sort the plurality of output digital signals into at least n-1 sub-sets of output digital signals, each sub-set corresponding to a particular active state of a generator internal to the D/A converter in the delta-sigma converter, wherein the computer generates the specific linearity errors a(m) from the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 178 words
A memory media which stores program instructions for constructing a linear error correction circuit for use in a multi-bit delta-sigma converter, wherein the program instructions implement: receiving a recorded plurality of output digital signals generated by the delta-sigma converter, wherein the recorded plurality of output digital signals were generated in response to an analog waveform applied to the delta-sigma converter; generating linearity error information from the recorded plurality of output digital signals, wherein said generating linearity error information includes generating specific linearity errors a(m) and generating a net linearity error E from the recorded plurality of output digital signals; calculating linearity error correction coefficients c(m) in response to the linearity error information, wherein said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) are generated by computing the matrix equation: c=(A.sup.T A).sup.-1 (A.sup.T E) where c is a column vector comprising the correction coefficients c(m); A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising the specific linearity errors a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error; and constructing the linear error correction circuit using said linearity error correction coefficients c(m).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 178 words
A memory media which stores program instructions for constructing a linear error correction circuit for use in a multi-bit delta-sigma converter, wherein the program instructions implement: receiving a recorded plurality of output digital signals generated by the delta-sigma converter, wherein the recorded plurality of output digital signals were generated in response to an analog waveform applied to the delta-sigma converter; generating linearity error information from the recorded plurality of output digital signals, wherein said generating linearity error information includes generating specific linearity errors a(m) and generating a net linearity error E from the recorded plurality of output digital signals; calculating linearity error correction coefficients c(m) in response to the linearity error information, wherein said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) are generated by computing the matrix equation: c=(A.sup.T A).sup.-1 (A.sup.T E) where c is a column vector comprising the correction coefficients c(m); A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising the specific linearity errors a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error; and constructing the linear error correction circuit using said linearity error correction coefficients c(m).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 42 words
The memory media of claim 25, wherein said constructing the linear error correction circuit comprises: generating a plurality of first digital values from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); constructing said linear error correction circuit using said plurality of first digital values.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 42 words
The memory media of claim 26, wherein said constructing said linear error correction circuit comprises configuring a look-up table including said plurality of first digital values; wherein said plurality of first digital values are addressable by an output of the delta-sigma converter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 66 words
The memory media of claim 25, wherein the delta-sigma converter includes a D/A converter, wherein said D/A converter includes a plurality of current generators, wherein one or more of said current generators produces linearity errors in the delta-sigma converter, wherein each of said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) corresponds to a particular active state of a generator internal to the D/A converter in the delta-sigma converter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 42 words
The memory media of claim 28, wherein said constructing the linear error correction circuit comprises: generating a plurality of first digital values from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); constructing said linear error correction circuit using said plurality of first digital values.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 105 words
The memory media of claim 29, wherein the plurality of first digital values are generated as a function of said error correction coefficients c(m) for each value of m from 1 to n, wherein n represents a number of current generators contained within the D/A converter of the delta-sigma converter wherein said generating linearity error information includes: sorting the recorded plurality of output digital signals into n-1 subsets of output digital signals, each sub-set corresponding to a particular active state of a generator internal to the D/A converter in the delta-sigma converter; generating the specific linearity errors a(m) from the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 34
Independent Claim 150 words
A method for constructing a linear error correction circuit for use in an analog to digital (A/D) converter, the method comprising: recording a plurality of output digital signals from the A/D converter; generating linearity error information from the recorded plurality of output digital signals, wherein said generating linearity error information includes generating specific linearity errors a(m) and generating a net linearity error E from the recorded plurality of output digital signals; calculating linearity error correction coefficients c(m) in response to the linearity error information, wherein said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) are generated by computing the matrix equation: c=(A.sup.T A).sup.-1 (A.sup.T E) where c is a column vector comprising the correction coefficients c(m); A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising the specific linearity errors a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error; and constructing the linear error correction circuit using said linearity error correction coefficients c(m).
Claim 35
Independent Claim 150 words
A method for constructing a linear error correction circuit for use in an analog to digital (A/D) converter, the method comprising: recording a plurality of output digital signals from the A/D converter; generating linearity error information from the recorded plurality of output digital signals, wherein said generating linearity error information includes generating specific linearity errors a(m) and generating a net linearity error E from the recorded plurality of output digital signals; calculating linearity error correction coefficients c(m) in response to the linearity error information, wherein said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) are generated by computing the matrix equation: c=(A.sup.T A).sup.-1 (A.sup.T E) where c is a column vector comprising the correction coefficients c(m); A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising the specific linearity errors a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error; and constructing the linear error correction circuit using said linearity error correction coefficients c(m).
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method of claim 31, wherein said constructing the linear error correction circuit comprises: generating a plurality of first digital values from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); constructing said linear error correction circuit using said plurality of first digital values.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method of claim 32, wherein said constructing said linear error correction circuit comprises configuring a look-up table including said plurality of first digital values; wherein said plurality of first digital values are addressable by an output of the A/D converter.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 78 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the A/D converter is operable to convert an input analog signal into an output digital value, wherein the output digital value includes linearity errors; wherein the linear error correction circuit is operable to translate the output digital value into one of said plurality of first digital values, where said one of said plurality of first digital values has reduced linearity errors when compared to the linearity errors in the output digital value.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 68 words
The method of claim 31, wherein the A/D converter includes an internal D/A converter, wherein said internal D/A converter includes a plurality of current generators, wherein one or more of said current generators produces linearity errors in the A/D converter, wherein each of said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) corresponds to a particular active state of a generator internal to the internal D/A converter in the A/D converter.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method of claim 35, wherein said constructing the linear error correction circuit comprises: generating a plurality of first digital values from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); constructing said linear error correction circuit using said plurality of first digital values.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 107 words
The method of claim 36, wherein the plurality of first digital values are generated as a function of said error correction coefficients c(m) for each value of m from 1 to n, wherein n represents a number of current generators contained within the internal D/A converter of the A/D converter; wherein said generating linearity error information includes: sorting the recorded plurality of output digital signals into n-1 subsets of output digital signals, each sub-set corresponding to a particular active state of a generator internal to the internal D/A converter in the A/D converter; and generating said specific linearity errors a(m) from the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 68 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said generating specific linearity errors a(m) comprises: applying a frequency domain transform to the sub-sets of output digital signals to generate a frequency domain equivalent thereof; extracting specific linearity error spectrums from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals; generating the specific linearity errors a(m) by applying an inverse frequency domain transform to the specific linearity error spectrums.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 85 words
The method of claim 38, wherein the extracting the specific linearity error spectrums comprises performing two or more of the following: removing spectral content at zero frequency from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals; removing spectral content at a frequency of the analog waveform from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals; and removing spectral content from a range of frequencies containing quantization noise from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 73 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said generating the net linearity error E comprises: applying a frequency domain transform to the recorded plurality of output digital signals to generate a frequency domain representation thereof; extracting a net linearity error spectrum from the frequency domain representation of the recorded plurality of output digital signals; applying an inverse frequency domain transform algorithm to the net linearity error spectrum to generate the net linearity error E.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 87 words
The method of claim 40, wherein the extracting the net linearity error spectrum comprises performing two or more of the following: removing spectral content at zero frequency from the frequency domain representations of the recorded plurality of output digital signals; removing spectral content at a frequency of the analog waveform from the frequency domain representations of the recorded plurality of output digital signals; removing spectral content from a range of frequencies containing quantization noise from the frequency domain representations of the recorded plurality of output digital signals.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 31, wherein A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising specific linearity error spectrums a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error spectrum.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 68 words
The method of claim 42, wherein the A/D converter includes an internal D/A converter, wherein said internal D/A converter includes a plurality of current generators, wherein one or more of said current generators produces linearity errors in the A/D converter, wherein each of said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) corresponds to a particular active state of a generator internal to the internal D/A converter in the A/D converter.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method of claim 43, wherein said constructing the linear error correction circuit comprises: generating a plurality of first digital values from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); constructing said linear error correction circuit using said plurality of first digital values.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 108 words
The method of claim 44, wherein the plurality of first digital values are generated as a function of said error correction coefficients c(m) for each value of m from 1 to n, wherein n represents a number of current generators contained within the internal D/A converter of the A/D converter wherein said generating linearity error information includes: sorting the recorded plurality of output digital signals into n-1 subsets of output digital signals, each sub-set corresponding to a particular active state of a generator internal to the internal D/A converter in the A/D converter; and generating the specific linearity error spectrums a(m) from the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 53 words
The method of claim 45, wherein said generating the specific linearity error spectrums a(m) comprises: applying a frequency domain transform algorithm to the sub-sets of output digital signals to generate a frequency domain equivalent thereof; extracting the specific linearity error spectrums from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 84 words
The method of claim 46, wherein the extracting the specific linearity error spectrums comprises performing two or more of the following: removing spectral content at zero frequency from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of digital signals; removing spectral content at a frequency of the analog waveform from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals; and removing spectral content from a range of frequencies containing quantization noise from the frequency domain representations of the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 54 words
The method of claim 45, wherein said generating the net linearity error spectrum E comprises: applying a frequency domain transform algorithm to the plurality of output digital signals to generate a frequency domain representation thereof; extracting the net linearity error spectrum E from the frequency domain representation of the plurality of output digital signals.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 84 words
The method of claim 48, wherein the extracting the net linearity error spectrum comprises performing two or more of the following: removing spectral content at zero frequency from the frequency domain representations of the plurality of output digital signals; removing spectral content at a frequency of the analog waveform from the frequency domain representations of the plurality of output digital signals; removing spectral content from a range of frequencies containing quantization noise from the frequency domain representations of the plurality of output digital signals.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim 216 words
The method of claim 31, wherein the A/D converter is operable to convert an input analog signal into one or more output digital values, wherein each of the output digital values includes linearity errors; wherein the A/D converter includes an internal D/A converter, wherein said internal D/A converter includes a plurality of current generators, wherein one or more of said current generators produces the linearity errors in the A/D converter, wherein each of said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) corresponds to a particular active state of a generator internal to the internal D/A converter in the A/D converter; wherein said constructing the linear error correction circuit comprises: generating a plurality of first digital values from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); and constructing said linear error correction circuit using said plurality of first digital values; wherein the A/D converter includes a plurality of possible code outputs, wherein a first digital value is constructed for each of said plurality of possible code outputs, wherein, for a respective code output, a respective first digital value is constructed by summing a corresponding output digital value from the A/D converter and one or more of said correction coefficients c(m) which corresponds to a generator internal to the internal D/A converter which was active in producing the corresponding output digital value.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 31, further comprising: applying an analog waveform to the A/D converter, wherein the A/D converter generates the output digital signals in response to the analog waveform.
Claim 56
Independent Claim 210 words
A system for generating a linear error correction circuit for use in an analog to digital (A/D) converter, the system comprising: a first memory connected to the A/D converter for storing a plurality of output digital signals generated by the A/D converter; and a computer system, coupled to the first memory and to the linear error correction circuit, for calculating first digital signals from the plurality of output digital signals; wherein the computer is operable to generate linearity error information from the plurality of the output digital signals, said linearity information including specific linearity errors a(m) and a net linearity error E wherein the computer is operable to calculate linearity error correction coefficients c(m) in response to the linearity error information, wherein said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) are generated by computing the matrix equation: c=(A.sup.T A).sup.-1 (A.sup.T E) where c is a column vector comprising the correction coefficients c(m); A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising the specific linearity errors a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error; and wherein the computer is operable to generate the plurality of first digital signals from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); wherein the plurality of first digital signals are useable in configuring the linear error correction circuit.
Claim 57
Independent Claim 210 words
A system for generating a linear error correction circuit for use in an analog to digital (A/D) converter, the system comprising: a first memory connected to the A/D converter for storing a plurality of output digital signals generated by the A/D converter; and a computer system, coupled to the first memory and to the linear error correction circuit, for calculating first digital signals from the plurality of output digital signals; wherein the computer is operable to generate linearity error information from the plurality of the output digital signals, said linearity information including specific linearity errors a(m) and a net linearity error E wherein the computer is operable to calculate linearity error correction coefficients c(m) in response to the linearity error information, wherein said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) are generated by computing the matrix equation: c=(A.sup.T A).sup.-1 (A.sup.T E) where c is a column vector comprising the correction coefficients c(m); A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising the specific linearity errors a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error; and wherein the computer is operable to generate the plurality of first digital signals from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); wherein the plurality of first digital signals are useable in configuring the linear error correction circuit.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 30 words
The system of claim 52, wherein A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising specific linearity error spectrums a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error spectrum.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 68 words
The system of claim 52, wherein the A/D converter includes an internal D/A converter, wherein said internal D/A converter includes a plurality of current generators, wherein one or more of said current generators produces linearity errors in the A/D converter, wherein each of said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) corresponds to a particular active state of a generator internal to the internal D/A converter in the A/D converter.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim 115 words
The system of claim 54, wherein the plurality of first digital signals are generated as a function of said error correction coefficients c(m) for each value of m from 1 to n-1, wherein n represents a number of current generators contained within the internal D/A converter of the A/D converter wherein, in generating said linearity error information, the computer is operable to sort the plurality of output digital signals into at least n-1 sub-sets of output digital signals, each sub-set corresponding to a particular active state of a generator internal to the internal D/A converter in the A/D converter, wherein the computer generates the specific linearity errors a(m) from the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim 76 words
The system of claim 52, further comprising: an analog waveform generator selectively connected to the A/D converter for providing an analog waveform to the A/D converter, wherein the A/D converter generates the output digital signals in response to the analog waveform generated by the analog waveform generator when the analog waveform generator is connected to the A/D converter; wherein the output digital signals are representative of the analog waveform digital signals outputted by the A/D converter.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim 159 words
A memory media which stores program instructions for constructing a linear error correction circuit for use in an analog to digital (A/D) converter, wherein the program instructions implement: receiving a recorded plurality of output digital signals generated by the A/D converter; generating linearity error information from the recorded plurality of output digital signals, wherein said generating linearity error information includes generating specific linearity errors a(m) and generating a net linearity error E from the recorded plurality of output digital signals; calculating linearity error correction coefficients c(m) in response to the linearity error information, wherein said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) are generated by computing the matrix equation: c=(A.sup.T A).sup.-1 (A.sup.T E) where c is a column vector comprising the correction coefficients c(m); A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising the specific linearity errors a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error; and constructing the linear error correction circuit using said linearity error correction coefficients c(m).
Claim 63
Dependent Claim 159 words
A memory media which stores program instructions for constructing a linear error correction circuit for use in an analog to digital (A/D) converter, wherein the program instructions implement: receiving a recorded plurality of output digital signals generated by the A/D converter; generating linearity error information from the recorded plurality of output digital signals, wherein said generating linearity error information includes generating specific linearity errors a(m) and generating a net linearity error E from the recorded plurality of output digital signals; calculating linearity error correction coefficients c(m) in response to the linearity error information, wherein said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) are generated by computing the matrix equation: c=(A.sup.T A).sup.-1 (A.sup.T E) where c is a column vector comprising the correction coefficients c(m); A is a 2 dimensional matrix comprising the specific linearity errors a(m); and E is a column vector comprising a net linearity error; and constructing the linear error correction circuit using said linearity error correction coefficients c(m).
Claim 64
Dependent Claim 42 words
The memory media of claim 57, wherein said constructing the linear error correction circuit comprises: generating a plurality of first digital values from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); constructing said linear error correction circuit using said plurality of first digital values.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim 42 words
The memory media of claim 58, wherein said constructing said linear error correction circuit comprises configuring a look-up table including said plurality of first digital values; wherein said plurality of first digital values are addressable by an output of the A/D converter.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim 69 words
The memory media of claim 57, wherein the A/D converter includes an internal D/A converter, wherein said internal D/A converter includes a plurality of current generators, wherein one or more of said current generators produces linearity errors in the A/D converter, wherein each of said linearity error correction coefficients c(m) corresponds to a particular active state of a generator internal to the internal D/A converter in the A/D converter.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim 42 words
The memory media of claim 60, wherein said constructing the linear error correction circuit comprises: generating a plurality of first digital values from the linearity error correction coefficients c(m); constructing said linear error correction circuit using said plurality of first digital values.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim 107 words
The memory media of claim 61, wherein the plurality of first digital values are generated as a function of said error correction coefficients c(m) for each value of m from 1 to n, wherein n represents a number of current generators contained within the internal D/A converter of the A/D converter wherein said generating linearity error information includes: sorting the recorded plurality of output digital signals into n-1 subsets of output digital signals, each sub-set corresponding to a particular active state of a generator internal to the internal D/A converter in the A/D converter; generating the specific linearity errors a(m) from the sub-sets of output digital signals.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim 27 words
The memory media of claim 57, wherein the recorded plurality of output digital signals were generated in response to an analog waveform applied to the A/D converter.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5101205A Cited
US5781138A Cited
US5781137A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-01-31 2003-08-02 2004-02-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-01-31 2007-08-02 2008-02-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-01-31 2011-08-02 2012-02-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag