Patent classifications
H03M1/0607
LOW-DROPOUT REGULATOR
An LDO regulator includes a voltage-to-time converter configured to convert a fluctuation in an output voltage sensed from an output node into a time domain signal having a pulse type, and output the time domain signal, based on a clock signal; a time-to-voltage converter configured to receive the time domain signal, convert the time domain signal into a first voltage control signal performing first compensation for the output voltage, and output the first voltage control signal; an analog amplifier configured to output a second voltage control signal continuously performing second compensation for the output voltage, regardless of the clock signal; and a first pass transistor configured to drive the output voltage based on the second voltage control signal. The LDO regulator is configured to reduce the fluctuation in the output voltage, based on the first compensation and the second compensation.
Analog to digital converter, solid-state imaging element, and control method of analog to digital converter
A differential amplifier circuit amplifies a difference between an input analog signal and a ramp signal which changes over time and outputs a difference signal. An amplifying element amplifies the difference signal and outputs the same as an amplified signal. A time measuring unit measures a length of a conversion period until a level of the analog signal substantially coincides with a level of the ramp signal on the basis of a level of the amplified signal and outputs the same as a digital signal obtained by converting the analog signal. One end of a capacitor is connected to one of an input terminal and a predetermined connection terminal of the amplifying element. A switch connects the other end of the capacitor to the other of the input terminal or the predetermined connection terminal in the conversion period, and disconnects the other end outside the conversion period.
SENSOR ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR DARK COUNT CANCELLATION
A sensor arrangement for light sensing for light-to-frequency conversion. The sensor arrangement includes a photodiode, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operable to perform a chopping technique in response to a first clock signal (CLK1), and convert a photocurrent (IPD) into a digital comparator output signal (LOUT). The ADC includes a sensor input coupled to the photodiode, an output for providing the digital comparator output signal (LOUT), an integrator including an integrator input coupled to the sensor input and operable to receive an integrator input signal, a first set of chopping switches coupled to a first amplifier, a second set of chopping switches electrically coupled to an output of the first amplifier and electrically coupled to input terminals of a second amplifier, and an integrator output providing an integrator output signal (OPOUT).
Amplifier circuit
An amplifier circuit includes a sampling circuit and an amplifier connected to an output of the sampling circuit. A feedback capacitor is between an output terminal of the amplifier and an output terminal of the sampling circuit. A quantizer that includes a comparator is configured to quantize a voltage at the output terminal of the sampling circuit according to a comparison of a voltage at the output terminal of the sampling circuit to a voltage at the reference potential terminal of the comparator. The quantizer outputs a digital code according to the voltage comparison. A control circuit receives the digital code from the quantizer and stores the digital code in a register as a cancellation digital code. A digital-analog (D/A) converter outputs an analog signal in accordance with digital codes from the control circuit.
LOW-NOISE SWITCHED-CAPACITOR CIRCUIT
Herein disclosed are multiple embodiments of a signal-processing circuit that may be utilized in various circuits, including conversion circuitry. The signal-processing circuit may receive an input and produce charges on multiple different capacitors during different phases of operation based on the input. The charges stored on two or more of the multiple different capacitors may be utilized for producing an output of the signal-processing circuit, such as by combing the charges stored on two or more of the multiple different capacitors. Utilizing the charges on the multiple different capacitors may provide for a high level of accuracy and robustness to variations of environmental factors, and/or a low noise level and power consumption when producing the output.
Solid-state imaging device and electronic device
A solid-state imaging device that is capable of improving an imaging characteristic by enhancing a dynamic range of an ADC is provided. A solid-state imaging device that includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels outputting a pixel signal by photoelectric conversion, and an AD conversion processing unit that performs AD conversion with respect to the pixel signal, and in which the AD conversion processing unit includes a comparator having a first amplifying unit that includes a pair of first differential pairs constituted of P-type transistors and a pair of second differential pairs constituted of N-type transistors, and a second amplifying unit that amplifies an output of the first amplifying unit, and in which a P-type transistor and an N-type transistor are connected in series is provided.
Matching paths in a multiple path analog-to-digital converter
A method may include processing an analog input signal with a first processing path configured to generate a first digital signal based on the analog input signal; processing the analog input signal with a second processing path configured to generate a second digital signal based on the analog input signal, and adapting a response of an adaptive filter configured to generate a filtered digital signal from the second digital signal to reduce a difference between the filtered digital signal and the first digital signal. The method may additionally or alternatively include determining nonlinearities present in the second processing path based on comparison of the first digital signal and the second digital signal, and applying a linear correction to the second digital signal to generate a corrected second digital signal with decreased nonlinearity from that of the second digital signal.
LOW-NOISE SWITCHED-CAPACITOR CIRCUIT
Herein disclosed are multiple embodiments of a signal-processing circuit that may be utilized in various circuits, including conversion circuitry. The signal-processing circuit may receive an input and produce charges on multiple different capacitors during different phases of operation based on the input. The charges stored on two or more of the multiple different capacitors may be utilized for producing an output of the signal-processing circuit, such as by combing the charges stored on two or more of the multiple different capacitors. Utilizing the charges on the multiple different capacitors may provide for a high level of accuracy and robustness to variations of environmental factors, and/or a low noise level and power consumption when producing the output.
Precision bipolar current-mode digital-to-analog converter
A precision bipolar digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that provides a bipolar current output having a substantially fixed zero center point is provided. The DAC includes digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to a reference signal indicative of the digital data, a first analog current signal having a first potential and a second analog current signal having a second potential, subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point, and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential.
Analog-to-digital converter with an increased resolution first stage
One example includes a pipelined analog-to-digital converter device. The pipelined analog-to-digital converter device includes a capacitive digital-to-analog converter, a first analog-to-digital converter, and a second analog-to-digital converter. The capacitive digital-to-analog converter includes a capacitor comprised of a top plate and a bottom plate, the capacitive digital-to-analog converter sampling an analog input signal applied to the pipelined analog-to-digital converter device while the capacitor is grounded, holding the sampled analog input while the top plate is floated, and outputting a residue voltage. The second analog-to-digital converter is coupled to the top plate of the capacitor, the second analog-to-digital converter producing a second digital representation of voltage on the top plate of the capacitor after the top plate is floated, wherein the second digital representation represents fine bits produced by the first stage of the pipelined analog-to-digital converter device.