An image sensing system includes a pixel array, an analog-to-digital converter circuit, and an average calculator. The analog-to-digital converter circuit converts a first pixel signal to first pixel data and converts a second pixel signal to second pixel data. The average calculator generates a first average bit based on a first bit of the first pixel data and a first bit of the second pixel data during a first time and generates a second average bit based on a second bit of the first pixel data and a second bit of the second pixel data during a second time.

A method for reducing noise in a read signal due attributable to read element asymmetry provides for transmitting a write signal through a write precompensation circuit that shifts rising edges and falling edges of each of pulse in the write signal by a select magnitude and in opposite directions. After the write signal is encoded on a media, a corresponding read signal is read, with a read element, from the media. The method further provides for transmitting the read signal through a magnetoresistive asymmetry compensation (MRAC) block that is tuned to correct second-order non-linearities characterized by a particular set of distortion signatures. The select magnitude of the waveform shift applied by the write precompensation circuit introduces a non-linear signal characteristic that combines with non-linear signal characteristics introduced by the read element to generate one of the particular distortion signatures that is correctable by the MRAC block.

A reference buffer has many legs each with an upper transistor, a lower transistor, and a resistor or current source as a tail device in series. The source or emitter of the upper (lower) transistor generates an upper (lower) reference voltage. This source follower transistor configuration has a low output impedance and high current. The gate or base of the upper (lower) transistors are driven by a first (second) control node. A control leg has an upper transistor, a lower transistor, and a tail device in series. The source and gate, or emitter and base, are connected together for the upper and lower transistors and generate the upper and lower control nodes. Alternately, the gate or base of the upper (lower) transistor is driven by an op amp receiving an upper (lower) bandgap voltage and the upper (lower) control node as negative feedback.

An analog-to-digital conversion devices and methods that approach a linear relationship between resolution and oversampling rate. The process involves modulating an input analog signals with an essentially chaotic encoding signal that is deterministic, aperiodic in that it lacks spectral tones above a threshold, and bounded. The resulting encoded signal is quantized into a bit stream and decoded by applying to that bit stream a non-linear estimation related to said chaotic signal to thereby produce an output representing said input analog signal in digital form.

A method for outputting a current includes performing a sorting operation on a plurality of current sources according to intensities of currents generated by the current sources, dividing the plurality of current sources into N current source sets according to a result of the sorting operation and a predetermined selection order, and enabling at least one current source set of the N current source sets to output the current according a target output value. The plurality of current sources have a same target current value. Each of the N current source sets includes at least one current source. In the N current source sets, a total quantity of current sources of the n.sup.th current source set is twice a total quantity of current sources of the (n−1).sup.th current source set.

An ADC system dynamically adjusts threshold levels used to resolve PAM signal amplitudes into digital values. The ADC circuitry includes an analog front end to receive and condition the PAM signal, a low-resolution ADC to digitize the conditioned signal according to a first set of threshold values, and a high-resolution ADC to subsample the conditioned signal to generate subsampled signals. A microprocessor in communication with the low-resolution ADC and the high-resolution ADC derives a statistical value from the subsampled signals, determines an updated set of threshold values, and dynamically replaces the first set of threshold values for the low-resolution ADC with the updated set of threshold values.

Control of an amplitude of a signal applied to rods of a quadrupole is described. In one aspect, a mass spectrometer includes an amplifier circuit that causes a radio frequency (RF) signal to be applied to the rods of the quadrupole based on an amplifier RF input signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can generate a digital representation of the RF signal. A controller circuit can receive the digital representation and adjust an amplitude of the amplifier RF input signal based on differences between an amplitude of a fundamental frequency of the RF signal being different than an expected amplitude.

There is provided an analog signal gauge that monitors an analog signal at a node and a non-volatile memory element to store an event that occurs at the node when a certain criteria, such as exceeding a maximum safe threshold, is satisfied. This way, the analog signal gauge can help to provide an accurate picture of the operating characteristics in the analog circuit which it is monitoring, including indications of faults that occur in the analog system.

An analog-to-digital conversion devices and methods that approach a linear relationship between resolution and oversampling rate. The process involves modulating an input analog signals with an essentially chaotic encoding signal that is deterministic, aperiodic in that it lacks spectral tones above a threshold, and bounded. The resulting encoded signal is quantized into a bit stream and decoded by applying to that bit stream a non-linear estimation related to said chaotic signal to thereby produce an output representing said input analog signal in digital form.

There is provided an analog signal gauge that monitors an analog signal at a node and a non-volatile memory element to store an event that occurs at the node when a certain criteria, such as exceeding a maximum safe threshold, is satisfied. This way, the analog signal gauge can help to provide an accurate picture of the operating characteristics in the analog circuit which it is monitoring, including indications of faults that occur in the analog system.