Coded data generation or conversion – Analog to or from digital conversion – Analog to digital conversion
Patent
1996-05-24
1997-10-14
Young, Brian K.
Coded data generation or conversion
Analog to or from digital conversion
Analog to digital conversion
326 39, 341144, H03M 100
Patent
active
056776918
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention refers to a configurable analog and digital array. In other words, the subject matter of the present invention refers to a configurable analog/digital modular array.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
User-programmable circuits in the form of configurable arrays have been known for a number of years. The user-programmable circuits which are normally available on the market are constructed as configurable digital arrays, i.e. such user-programmable circuits predominantly cover the field of digital use. Such digital, user-programmable circuits have in common that a plurality of cells is provided at gate level or at register level, said cells being adapted to be programmed by the user and to be variably interconnected via prefabricated connection paths.
A special problem arising in connection with such user-programmable circuits is the problem of deciding which module is the "correct" module for the respective case of use, since the systems vary widely and since a changeover from one system to the next is only possible with difficulties.
Frequently, such user-programmable circuits are only used for examining a circuit design; in this case, it will be necessary to convert said circuit design into a so-called "full custom IC" when the final version of the circuit in question has been determined. When the prototype in question consists of several different modules, such a conversion is normally not easily possible and often it will even necessitate a socalled redesign.
In the analog field, an adequate counterpart which would be adapted to be used approximately as universally as user-programmable digital circuits in the form of configurable digital arrays have not been constructed up to now. There are only some special modules, such as filters, which can be programmed or optimized by the user by means of adequate connection. Furthermore, there are integrated arrays with analog components or cells for user-specific wiring. This wiring must be provided by the manufacturer via an aluminum mask and can, consequently, not be carried out by the customer himself. European patent application EP-0499383A2 shows a user-programmable integrated circuit with an analog section with user-configurable analog circuit modules, a digital section with user-configurable digital circuit modules, and an interface section with user-configurable interface circuits for analog/digital signal conversion and for digital/analog signal conversion, as well as a user-configurable connection and input/output architecture. The networking of the elements which can be effected by means of such a circuit is very limited. A feedback between circuit elements is, for example, not possible. In this known circuit there is only multiplexing of existing basic blocks and signal paths, which can only be modified within close limits. The programmability and controllability of the known circuit is provided by connecting fixed basic elements to other components, as can be seen e.g. in FIGS. 3a, 3b of this publication. Resistors and capacitors, for example, can selectively be connected to existing circuit blocks. A hierarchical structuring and organization permitting the construction of completed analog subsystems for subsequent configuration within a complete system is not possible when this known technology is used.
DE-3417670A1 shows a programmable analog circuit in the form of a programmable filter in the case of which a number of filter modules, an attenuator and a separation amplifier can be interconnected in a user-programmable manner. However, also this programmable analog circuit permits only a very limited variation of a fixedly predetermined basic circuit structure.
DE-3615981A1 discloses a system for a parameter-programmable processing of audio signals in combination with a programmable switch matrix, which is used in the field of analog and digital processing of audio signals. This system can, however, not be implemented at chip level, but only at printed circuit board level.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,612 shows a
REFERENCES:
patent: 4847612 (1989-07-01), Kaplinsky
patent: 5338984 (1994-08-01), Sutherland
patent: 5426379 (1995-06-01), Trimburger
Preiss, "Digitales und Analoges auf einem Chip", Elektronik, 36:(0):135-138 May 15, 1987).
Laes et al., "Analog-digital Technologies for Mixed-Signal Processing", IEEE Micro, 12(4):34-42 (Aug. 1992).
Hosticka Bedrich
Schardein Werner
Weghaus Berthold
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung
Young Brian K.
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