U.S. patent application number 15/849856 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-05 for analog-to-digital converter.
The applicant listed for this patent is NXP B.V.. Invention is credited to Konstantinos Doris, Erwin Janssen, Athon Zanikopoulos.
Application Number | 20180191365 15/849856 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57681473 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180191365 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zanikopoulos; Athon ; et
al. |
July 5, 2018 |
ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER
Abstract
An analog-to-digital converter including a converter arrangement
configured to provide a digital output signal as an output of the
analog-to-digital converter based on an analog input signal
comprising an input to the analog-to-digital converter, the
analog-to-digital converter including a calibration module
configured to provide calibration signalling to set one or more of
a gain of one or more components of the converter arrangement and
an offset of one or more components of the converter arrangement,
the calibration module further configured to provide, as an output,
diagnostic information based on the calibration signalling for use
in determining the occurrence of a fault in the analog-to-digital
converter.
Inventors: |
Zanikopoulos; Athon;
(Riethoven, NL) ; Janssen; Erwin; (Veldhoven,
NL) ; Doris; Konstantinos; (Eindhoven, NL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NXP B.V. |
Eindhoven |
|
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
57681473 |
Appl. No.: |
15/849856 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H03M 1/002 20130101;
H03M 1/1028 20130101; H03M 1/44 20130101; H03M 1/1076 20130101;
H03M 1/1009 20130101; H03M 1/1245 20130101; H03M 1/1057 20130101;
H03M 1/001 20130101; H03M 1/46 20130101; H03M 1/468 20130101; H03M
1/1071 20130101; H03M 1/361 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H03M 1/10 20060101
H03M001/10; H03M 1/00 20060101 H03M001/00; H03M 1/12 20060101
H03M001/12; H03M 1/44 20060101 H03M001/44 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 29, 2016 |
EP |
16207359.7 |
Claims
1. An analog-to-digital converter including a converter arrangement
configured to provide a digital output signal as an output of the
analog-to-digital converter based on an analog input signal
comprising an input to the analog-to-digital converter, the
analog-to-digital converter including a calibration module
configured to provide calibration signalling to set one or more of
a gain of one or more components of the converter arrangement and
an offset of one or more components of the converter arrangement,
the calibration module further configured to provide, as an output,
diagnostic information based on the calibration signalling for use
in determining the occurrence of a fault in the analog-to-digital
converter.
2. The analog-to-digital converter of claim 1, wherein the
calibration module is configured to provide said diagnostic
information to one or more diagnostic output pins of the
analog-to-digital converter for connection to a fault determination
module for interpretation of the diagnostic information to
determine the occurrence of a fault.
3. The analog-to-digital converter of claim 1, wherein the
analog-to-digital converter includes a fault determination module
configured to receive the diagnostic information from the
calibration module and identify the occurrence of a fault within
the analog-to-digital based on one or more fault conditions and, on
occurrence of a fault, provide, as an output, a fault signal.
4. The analog-to-digital converter of claim 1, including an offset
correction module which is, based on the calibration signalling,
configured to apply an offset signal to the converter arrangement
to compensate for a voltage and/or current offset determined by the
calibration module.
5. The analog-to-digital converter of claim 1, including a gain
correction module which is, based on the calibration signalling,
configured to apply a gain signal to the converter arrangement to
adjust the gain thereof.
6. The analog-to-digital converter of claim 1, wherein the
calibration module is configured to determine the calibration
signalling based on one or more of; a comparison between the analog
input signal and the digital output signal for a known analog input
signal for determination of the offset; averaging of the digital
output signal over time for determination of an offset; a
comparison between the analog input signal and the digital output
signal for at least two known analog input signals or at least two
known component parts of the analog input signal for determination
of the gain; statistical analysis of the digital output signal for
determination of the gain and/or offset.
7. analog-to-digital converter of claim 1, configured to provide
said diagnostic information for in-production testing based on a
test analog input signal.
8. An analog-to-digital converter of claim 1, configured to provide
said diagnostic information in real time during operation of the
analog-to-digital converter.
9. An analog-to-digital converter of claim 1, wherein the convertor
arrangement includes one or more of; a pre-amplifier configured to
provide an amplified output signal based on an input signal; a
buffer configured to receive the input signal and a feedback signal
generated by the convertor arrangement; a sampling module
configured to sample an analog signal; a digital to analog
converter configured to output one of a voltage and current that
approximates the sampled input signal; a
Successive-approximation-register configured to implement a
Successive approximation algorithm.
10. An analog-to-digital converter of claim 1, wherein the
converter arrangement includes a digital-to-analog converter and
the calibration signalling is configured to adjust a gain of the
digital-to-analog converter by application of a bias signal
thereto.
11. An analog-to-digital converter of claim 1, wherein the offset
of the converter arrangement is defined by the offset of one or
more of a pre-amplifier, a buffer, a comparator and a
digital-to-analog converter of the converter arrangement.
12. An analog-to-digital converter of claim 2, wherein the fault
determination module comprises a functional safety monitor for
receiving the diagnostic information.
13. The analog-to-digital converter of claim 1, in combination with
a fault determination module, the fault determination module
configured to provide a fault signal based on one or more fault
conditions, the fault conditions at least comprising that the
diagnostic information indicates that the one or more of a gain and
an offset of the converter arrangement are outside a predetermined
range of acceptable values.
14. A method of operation of an analog-to-digital converter
including a converter arrangement configured to provide a digital
output signal as an output of the analog-to-digital converter based
on an analog input signal comprising an input to the
analog-to-digital converter, the analog-to-digital converter
including a calibration module configured to provide calibration
signalling to set one or more of a gain of one or more components
of the converter arrangement and an offset of one or more
components of the converter arrangement, the method comprising:
based on the calibration signalling; providing, as an output of the
analog-to-digital converter, diagnostic information for use in
determining the occurrence of a fault in the analog-to-digital
converter.
15. A radar device including the analog-to-digital converter of
claim 1, the radar device configured to use the digital output of
the analog-to-digital converter for providing radar functionality.
Description
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an analog-to-digital
converter. In particular, in one or more embodiments, it relates to
an analog-to-digital converter configured to provide diagnostic
information for determination of the occurrence of a fault in the
analog-to-digital converter.
[0002] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there
is provided an analog-to-digital converter including a converter
arrangement configured to provide a digital output signal as an
output of the analog-to-digital converter based on an analog input
signal comprising an input to the analog-to-digital converter, the
analog-to-digital converter including a calibration module
configured to provide calibration signalling to set one or more of
a gain of one or more components of the converter arrangement and
an offset of one or more components of the converter arrangement,
the calibration module further configured to provide, as an output,
diagnostic information based on the calibration signalling for use
in determining the occurrence of a fault in the analog-to-digital
converter.
[0003] In one or more embodiments, the calibration module is
configured to provide said diagnostic information to one or more
diagnostic output pins of the analog-to-digital converter for
connection to a fault determination module for interpretation of
the diagnostic information to determine the occurrence of a
fault.
[0004] In one or more examples, the calibration module is thus
connectible to the fault determination module. In one or more
examples, the diagnostic information comprises a digital
signal.
[0005] In one or more embodiments, the analog-to-digital converter
includes a fault determination module configured to receive the
diagnostic information from the calibration module and identify the
occurrence of a fault within the analog-to-digital based on one or
more fault conditions and, on occurrence of a fault, provide, as an
output, a fault signal.
[0006] In one or more examples, the fault determination module is
integrated with the calibration module.
[0007] In one or more embodiments, the analog-to-digital converter
includes an offset correction module which is, based on the
calibration signalling, configured to apply an offset signal to the
convertor arrangement to compensate for a voltage and/or current
offset determined by the calibration module.
[0008] In one or more embodiments, the analog-to-digital converter
includes a gain correction module which is, based on the
calibration signalling, configured to apply a gain signal to the
convertor arrangement to adjust the gain thereof.
[0009] In one or more embodiments, the calibration module is
configured to determine the calibration signalling based on one or
more of; [0010] i) a comparison between the analog input signal and
the digital output signal for a known analog input signal for
determination of the offset; [0011] ii) averaging of the digital
output signal over time for determination of an offset; [0012] iii)
a comparison between the analog input signal and the digital output
signal for at least two known analog input signals or at least two
known component parts of the analog input signal for determination
of the gain; [0013] iv) statistical analysis of the digital output
signal for determination of the gain and/or offset.
[0014] In one or more embodiments, the analog-to-digital converter
is configured to provide said diagnostic information based on a
test analog input signal.
[0015] In one or more embodiments, the analog-to-digital converter
is configured to provide said diagnostic information in real time
during operation of the analog-to-digital converter.
[0016] Thus, in one or more examples, in addition or alternative to
testing performed in response to powering up of the
analog-to-digital converter, the calibration module may be
configured to repeatedly, periodically or in response to changes in
diagnostic information, provide said diagnostic information for use
in determining the occurrence of a fault in the analog-to-digital
converter.
[0017] In one or more embodiments, the convertor arrangement
includes one or more of; [0018] i) a pre-amplifier configured to
provide an amplified output signal based on an input signal; [0019]
ii) a buffer configured to receive the analog input signal and a
feedback signal generated by the convertor arrangement; [0020] iii)
a sampling module configured to sample an analog signal; [0021] iv)
a digital to analog converter configured to output one of a voltage
and current that approximates the sampled input signal; [0022] v) a
Successive-approximation-register configured to implement a
Successive approximation algorithm.
[0023] In one or more embodiments, the converter arrangement
includes a digital-to-analog converter and the calibration
signalling is configured to adjust a gain of the digital-to-analog
converter by application of a bias signal thereto.
[0024] In one or more embodiments, the offset of the converter
arrangement is defined by the offset of one or more of a
pre-amplifier, a buffer, a comparator and a digital-to-analog
converter of the converter arrangement.
[0025] In one or more embodiments, the fault determination module
comprises a functional safety monitor for receiving the diagnostic
information.
[0026] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure there
is provided the analog-to-digital converter of the first aspect in
combination with a fault determination module, the fault
determination module configured to provide a fault signal based on
one or more fault conditions, the fault conditions at least
comprising that the diagnostic information indicates that the one
or more of a gain and an offset of the converter arrangement are
outside a predetermined range of acceptable values.
[0027] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure there
is provided method of operation of an analog-to-digital converter
including a converter arrangement configured to provide a digital
output signal as an output of the analog-to-digital converter based
on an analog input signal comprising an input to the
analog-to-digital converter, the analog-to-digital converter
including a calibration module configured to provide calibration
signalling to set one or more of a gain of one or more components
of the converter arrangement and an offset of one or more
components of the converter arrangement, the method comprising:
[0028] based on the calibration signalling; [0029] providing, as an
output of the analog-to-digital converter, diagnostic information
for use in determining the occurrence of a fault in the
analog-to-digital converter.
[0030] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure there
is provided radar device including the analog-to-digital converter
of the first aspect or the combination of the second aspect, the
radar device configured to use the digital output of the
analog-to-digital converter for providing radar functionality.
[0031] In one or more examples, the radar device comprises an
automotive radar device.
[0032] While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications
and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should
be understood, however, that other embodiments, beyond the
particular embodiments described, are possible as well. All
modifications, equivalents, and alternative embodiments falling
within the spirit and scope of the appended claims are covered as
well.
[0033] The above discussion is not intended to represent every
example embodiment or every implementation within the scope of the
current or future Claim sets. The figures and Detailed Description
that follow also exemplify various example embodiments. Various
example embodiments may be more completely understood in
consideration of the following Detailed Description in connection
with the accompanying Drawings.
[0034] One or more embodiments will now be described by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0035] FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of an analog-to-digital
converter;
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a simplified example embodiment of an
analog-to-digital converter;
[0037] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an analog-to-digital converter
with a functional safety monitor, which happens to be part of an
automotive radar system;
[0038] FIG. 4 shows an example method.
[0039] Analog-to-digital converters are often used, but not
exclusively, in the capture of information from sensors. An
analog-to-digital converter provides a digital output signal based
on an analog input signal for subsequent processing in the digital
domain. The effective functioning of the analog-to-digital
converter is important, especially if the subsequent processing is
reliant on digital signals that are accurately representative of
the analog signals. As an example, the analog-to-digital converter
may be part of an automotive radar system. Automotive radar systems
are becoming more common to implement functionality such as
adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and autonomous
driving. It is important that components work effectively when
employed in safety critical roles.
[0040] FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an example
embodiment of an analog-to-digital converter 100 (hereinafter
"ADC"). The ADC 100 includes a converter arrangement 101 configured
to provide a digital output signal at an output 102 of the ADC 100
based on an analog input signal at an input 103 to the ADC 100. The
structure of the converter arrangement 101 that provides the analog
to digital conversion may take any required form and various
converter arrangements will be known to those skilled in the art.
The converter arrangement 101 does however include a calibration
module 104 configured to provide calibration signalling (shown as
105, 106). The calibration signalling may be used to provide for
configuration of the function of components of the ADC 100 such as
by setting parameters used by the converter arrangement in the
process of converting the analog input signal to the digital output
signal. In particular, the converter arrangement 101 may be
configured to receive the calibration signalling from the
calibration module 104 to set one or more of [0041] i) a gain of
one or more components of the converter arrangement 101; and [0042]
ii) a voltage and/or current offset of one or more components of
the converter arrangement 101.
[0043] Thus, the converter arrangement 101 may include one or more
of an amplifier and a digital-to-analog converter (and any other
component) that have adjustable gain. The converter arrangement 101
may include one or more of an amplifier and a digital-to-analog
converter (and any other component) that have adjustable voltage or
current offset that provides for configuration of their function
based on the calibration signalling mentioned above.
[0044] The calibration module 104 is further configured to provide,
at an output 107, 108 of the analog-to-digital converter,
diagnostic information based on the calibration signalling for use
in determining the occurrence of a fault in the analog-to-digital
converter 100. Thus, not only does the calibration module calculate
and provide calibration signalling for internal adjustment of one
or more components of the converter arrangement 101, but it is also
configured to provide an output for diagnostic information for
fault detection.
[0045] In one or more examples, the calibration signalling takes
the form of one or more predetermined codes that are used,
internally to the converter arrangement 101, to adjust the gain
and/or offset. In one or more examples, the diagnostic information
may comprise those same one or more predetermined codes. In one or
more other examples, the calibration module 104 may be configured
to translate the calibration signalling into a different form, such
as predetermined diagnostic codes different to the predetermined
codes, for interpretation by a fault determination module.
[0046] The output of diagnostic information based on internal
calibration processes to set gain and/or offset within the one or
more components of the converter arrangement 101 is advantageous.
The diagnostic information may be used to diagnose integrated
circuit based faults, where the ADC 100 is implemented on an
integrated circuit. The diagnostic information may be used to
determine i) total loss of functionality and ii) performance
degradation, which for automotive radar applications may result in
false detection and/or reduced sensitivity.
[0047] In this example, the calibration module 104 is configured to
provide said diagnostic information to the outputs 107, 108. The
outputs 107, 108 comprise two sets of diagnostic output pins 107,
108 respectively, of the analog-to-digital converter 100. In one or
more examples, only one set of pins may be provided to provide the
outputs of one or both of pins 107,108 of this example. The output
pins 107, 108 may provide for connection to a fault determination
module 200 (shown in relation to FIG. 2 and described below) for
interpretation of the diagnostic information to determine the
occurrence of a fault. In other examples, different numbers or
different number of sets of pins are made available for
communicating the diagnostic information. In this example, the
output pins 107 are for connection to a fault determination module
configured for production testing. In this example, the output pins
108 are for connection to a fault determination module configured
for functional safety monitoring.
[0048] It will be appreciated that while in this example, the ADC
100 provides output pins for connection of a fault determination
module that interprets the diagnostic information, in one or more
other embodiments, the fault determination module may be internal
to or integrated with the ADC 100.
[0049] Whether internal to the ADC 100 or connected to the output
pins 107, 108, the fault determination module (shown in FIG. 3) may
be configured to receive the diagnostic information from the
calibration module 104 and identify the occurrence of a fault
within the ADC 100 based on one or more fault conditions and, on
occurrence of a fault, provide, as an output, a fault signal at
output 301.
[0050] Thus, the fault conditions may include; [0051] i) if the
predetermined codes are saturated (meaning all `0` or all `1`) it
may be indicative of a totally failed ADC 100, since this means
that the ADC is not effectively calibrating itself. This may
manifest itself as non-linearity and noise. [0052] ii) if the
predetermined codes or, more generally, the diagnostic information
deviates from predefined acceptable ranges.
[0053] The predefined ranges may enable some degradation in
performance to be tolerated but the identification of unacceptable
deviations in performance to be identified. The predefined
acceptable ranges may be set depending on the application or
expected performance of the ADC 100.
[0054] The fault signal may be used to provide one or more of: a
user indication informing them of a fault; the resetting of the ADC
100; the resetting of a device of which the ADC 100 forms part; the
shutting down of the ADC 100; and the shutting down of the device
of which the ADC 100 forms part. Such actions may be appropriate
for fault monitoring during use of the ADC. In the case of
production testing the generation of the fault signal may be used
to provide for: i) discarding the tested ADC 100 in case the fault
is outside a predetermined range and/or ii) separation of
better/worse performing ADCs 100 ("binning").
[0055] As mentioned above, the component structure of the converter
arrangement 101 may be of any suitable form. However, several
components that may be provided are described below. The converter
arrangement may comprise one or more of a buffer, sampling module
and one or more pre-amplifiers, shown collectively as 110. The
block 110 is shown receiving the analog input signal of the ADC 100
at 111. It will be appreciated that FIG. 1 shows a pair of
connections extending between the functional blocks to represent a
differential configuration. However, it will be appreciated that in
other configurations of converter arrangement a single connection
may be provided between the functional blocks rather than a
differential configuration.
[0056] The buffer, in this example, is configured to receive the
input signal and a feedback signal generated by the convertor
arrangement. The buffer may amplify the difference between the
signal for subsequent processing by the converter arrangement
101.
[0057] In this example, the sampling module is configured to sample
the analog input signal.
[0058] The pre-amplifier(s) are configured to provide an amplified
output signal based on an input signal.
[0059] The converter arrangement 101 includes a comparator module
112 configured to detect zero crossings in the input signal based
on the output of the buffer. The output of the comparator module
112 may comprise a logic zero or logic one. The output of the
comparator module 112 is provided to a
successive-approximation-register controller 113. The
successive-approximation-register controller 113 may be configured
to operate in a step-wise manner and receive the output of the
comparator module for each step. The
successive-approximation-register controller 113 implements a
successive approximation algorithm, controlling the digital to
analog converter 114 in a way that approximates, step-by-step, the
sampled input signal. The output of the
successive-approximation-register controller 113 is provided to a
digital to analog converter (DAC) 114, which feeds back to one or
more of the buffer, sampling module and one or more pre-amplifiers,
shown collectively as 110. The DAC 114 is configured to output a
voltage or current that approximates the sampled input signal.
[0060] It will be appreciated that one or more of the buffer,
sampling module and one or more pre-amplifiers, comparator module
112, successive-approximation-register controller 113 and DAC 114
may be configurable to adjust one or more of their gain and voltage
or current offset, as appropriate. It will be appreciated that the
converter arrangement 101 may include some, all or other components
to effect the analog-to-digital conversion.
[0061] In the present example, the ADC 100 includes an offset
correction module 115 comprising a digital-to-analog converter
which is, based on the calibration signalling from the calibration
module 104, configured to apply an offset signal to the convertor
arrangement 101 to compensate for a voltage or current offset
determined by the calibration module. The offset correction module
115, in this example, is configured to receive a predetermined
digital code from the calibration module. The offset correction
module 115 is configured to convert the digital code into the
analog, offset signal for applying to one or more of the components
of the converter arrangement 101. In the present example, the
correcting, offset signal is applied to one or more of the buffer,
sampling module and one or more pre-amplifiers, shown collectively
as 110. Accordingly, the voltage or current provided by the module
115 is configured to provide a predetermined or required change in
the function of the component on which it acts by control of its
offset.
[0062] Further, in the present example, the ADC 100 includes a gain
correction module 116 comprising a digital-to-analog converter
which is, based on the calibration signalling from the calibration
module 104, configured to apply a gain signal to one or more
components of the converter arrangement 101 for adjusting the gain
applied by said one or more components. Thus, the calibration
module 104 may be configured to determine that adjustment of gain
is required and provide the calibration signalling, comprising a
predetermined digital code, to the gain correction module 116. The
gain correction module 116 may be configured to convert the digital
code of the calibration signalling into the analog, gain signal for
application to one or more of the components of the converter
arrangement. The gain signal may be applied to bias a component,
for example. In the present example, the correcting, gain signal is
applied to the DAC 114. The gain signal is, in this example,
configured to apply a bias signal to the DAC 114.
[0063] In this example, the gain correction module DAC 116 and the
offset correction module DAC 115 are used to apply the calibration
signalling to the components of the converter arrangement 104.
However, in other examples, the calibration signalling output by
the calibration module may be applied directly to the one or more
components of the converter arrangement 104 or via one or more
passive or active components. Thus, the gain correction module 116
and the offset correction module 115 may be considered, more
generally, as actuators for implementing the calibration
signalling.
[0064] The calibration module 104 is configured to receive input
from the successive-approximation-register controller 113. The
output from the block 113 may comprise the output of the ADC,
although in one or more examples, further processing may be
performed before output 102 is generated. However, the output from
the block 113 provides information relating to the operation of the
converter arrangement 101 that the calibration module 104 may base
the calibration signalling.
[0065] The calibration module 104 may be configured to calibrate
the gain and/or offset using a variety of techniques. It will be
appreciated that the following provides an example of the
techniques that may be employed by the calibration module and other
techniques for calibrating the internal components of the ADC may
be used. For example, a different structure of converter
arrangement 101 may require different calibration techniques.
[0066] In one or more examples, the calibration module 104 is
configured to determine the calibration signalling based on a
comparison between the analog input signal 103 and the digital
output signal 102 for a known analog input signal for determination
of the calibration signalling for an offset. Thus, the calibration
module may be configured to provide a known input signal at 103 or
may control circuitry (not shown) to effect this. For example, a
zero input signal should, if the voltage and/or current offsets of
the converter arrangement 101 are set correctly, yield a zero
digital output signal at 102. If there is a deviation, the
calibration module 115 may generate appropriate calibration
signalling to make an adjustment to the offset of one or more of
the components. Accordingly, the calibration module 104 may form
part of a feedback loop.
[0067] In one or more examples, the calibration module may be
configured to calculate an average of the digital output signal
provided at 102 over time for determination of an offset. The
calibration module may be configured to expect a random signal at
the input 103 and therefore an average of the random signal may be
equal to zero over a sufficient sampling period. This random signal
may be the actual, real time, signal from the sensor. Accordingly,
if there is a deviation from zero or other expected average, the
calibration module 115 may generate appropriate calibration
signalling to make an adjustment to the offset of one or more of
the components.
[0068] In one or more examples, the calibration module 104 may be
configured to make a comparison between the analog input signal and
the digital output signal for at least two known analog input
signals. Alternatively, a known voltage may be applied in addition
to whatever the analog input signal happens to be such that the
known voltage comprises a component of the analog input signal. A
comparison between two known component parts of the analog input
signal followed by averaging may be used to determine the presence
of an offset.
[0069] The comparison between different input signal levels may
provide for determination of the gain of one or more of the
components of the converter arrangement. Accordingly, based on the
comparison and an expected difference, the calibration module 116
may generate appropriate calibration signalling to make an
adjustment to the gain of one or more of the components.
[0070] In one or more examples, the calibration module 104 may be
configured to perform statistical analysis of the digital output
signal to identify changes from expected behaviour of the converter
arrangement. Based on detection of a deviation, the calibration
module 104 may generate appropriate calibration signalling to make
an adjustment to the offset and/or gain of one or more of the
components.
[0071] In one or more examples, the ADC 100 is configured to
provide said diagnostic information during fabrication testing
based on a test analog input signal. For example, the output pins
107 may be provided for quality control fabrication based testing
or as a Built In Self Test (BIST) function.
[0072] In one or more examples, the ADC 100 may be configured to
provide said diagnostic information in real time during operation
of the analog-to-digital converter. Thus, the output pins 108 may
be provided to provide diagnostic information in real time during
operation of the ADC 100. A fault determination module 200 (shown
in FIG. 2) comprising a functional safety monitor may be connected
to the pins 108 for receiving the diagnostic information. Examples
of the fault conditions on which it may determine a fault are
described above.
[0073] Thus, in this example, the calibration module 104 is
configured to periodically provide the diagnostic information for
use in determining the occurrence of a fault in the ADC 100. On
detection of a fault, a fault signal 301 generated by the fault
determination module 300 based on the diagnostic information may be
used to one or more of i) alert a user; ii) shut down a device of
which the ADC 100 forms part, iii) reset a device of which the ADC
100 forms part; iv) provide for the resetting of the ADC 100, and
v) provide for the shutting down of the ADC 100 among others.
[0074] FIG. 3 shows the combination of the ADC 100 and fault
determination module 300 comprising part of a radar device or
automotive radar device 302. It will be appreciated that other
components may be present for providing the radar device's
functionality. The radar device may provide for indication to a
user of a fault or provide an indication to circuitry configured to
monitor its operation based on the diagnostic information or fault
signal at 301.
[0075] As mentioned above, the form of the converter arrangement
101 may differ between different forms of ADC 100. FIG. 2 shows a
more generalised example embodiment and like reference numerals
have been used for like parts. In this example, the convertor
arrangement 101 is shown as a single block configured to generate
the digital output 102 based on the analog input at 103 using one
or more components (not visible). One or more of the components
that form the convertor arrangement 101 may be controllable by way
of adjustment of one or more of their offset or gain. The one or
more components may be controllable to adjust their function in
performing their component part of the process to convert the
analog signal to a digital one. The calibration signalling
generated by the calibration module 104 is provided to actuators
115, 116, which are configured to apply the required signals based
on the calibration signalling to the one or more components of the
converter arrangement 101. As in FIG. 1, the calibration module is
configured to provide the diagnostic information as an output at
107, 108 for use in determining the occurrence of a fault in the
analog-to-digital converter 200. The combination of FIG. 3 may
equally show the combination of the ADC 200 and the fault
determination module 300 comprising part of a radar device or
automotive radar device 302.
[0076] FIG. 4 shows a method of operation of an analog-to-digital
converter 100, 200 including a converter arrangement 101 configured
to provide a digital output signal as an output of the
analog-to-digital converter based on an analog input signal
comprising an input to the analog-to-digital converter, the
analog-to-digital converter including a calibration module 104
configured to provide calibration signalling to set one or more of
a gain of one or more components of the converter arrangement and
an offset of one or more components of the converter arrangement,
the method comprising: [0077] based on the calibration signalling
401; [0078] providing 402, as an output of the analog-to-digital
converter, diagnostic information for use in determining the
occurrence of a fault in the analog-to-digital converter 100.
[0079] The instructions and/or flowchart steps in the above figures
can be executed in any order, unless a specific order is explicitly
stated. Also, those skilled in the art will recognize that while
one example set of instructions/method has been discussed, the
material in this specification can be combined in a variety of ways
to yield other examples as well, and are to be understood within a
context provided by this detailed description.
[0080] In some example embodiments the set of instructions/method
steps described above are implemented as functional and software
instructions embodied as a set of executable instructions which are
effected on a computer or machine which is programmed with and
controlled by said executable instructions. Such instructions are
loaded for execution on a processor (such as one or more CPUs). The
term processor includes microprocessors, microcontrollers,
processor modules or subsystems (including one or more
microprocessors or microcontrollers), or other control or computing
devices. A processor can refer to a single component or to plural
components.
[0081] In other examples, the set of instructions/methods
illustrated herein and data and instructions associated therewith
are stored in respective storage devices, which are implemented as
one or more non-transient machine or computer-readable or
computer-usable storage media or mediums. Such computer-readable or
computer usable storage medium or media is (are) considered to be
part of an article (or article of manufacture). An article or
article of manufacture can refer to any manufactured single
component or multiple components. The non-transient machine or
computer usable media or mediums as defined herein excludes
signals, but such media or mediums may be capable of receiving and
processing information from signals and/or other transient
mediums.
[0082] Example embodiments of the material discussed in this
specification can be implemented in whole or in part through
network, computer, or data based devices and/or services. These may
include cloud, internet, intranet, mobile, desktop, processor,
look-up table, microcontroller, consumer equipment, infrastructure,
or other enabling devices and services. As may be used herein and
in the claims, the following non-exclusive definitions are
provided.
[0083] In one example, one or more instructions or steps discussed
herein are automated. The terms automated or automatically (and
like variations thereof) mean controlled operation of an apparatus,
system, and/or process using computers and/or mechanical/electrical
devices without the necessity of human intervention, observation,
effort and/or decision.
[0084] It will be appreciated that any components said to be
coupled may be coupled or connected either directly or indirectly.
In the case of indirect coupling, additional components may be
located between the two components that are said to be coupled.
[0085] In this specification, example embodiments have been
presented in terms of a selected set of details. However, a person
of ordinary skill in the art would understand that many other
example embodiments may be practiced which include a different
selected set of these details. It is intended that the following
claims cover all possible example embodiments.
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