Methods and apparatus for analog-to-digital conversion

Abstract

An analog-digital converter includes a source of high frequency pulses comprising a variable frequency oscillator having an output frequency f which is a function of an analog condition. Also included is a source of a reference signal, preferably pulses, having a fixed frequency whose value is a fraction of the value of the frequency of the variable frequency oscillator. The first named souce also includes a counter-divider to which the output of the variable frequency oscillator is applied. The counter-divider has an output which is either f/N or f/N-M where N and M are whole integers and M is less than N. A phase comparator is responsive to the reference signal and to the output from the counter-divider for measuring the phase difference between the reference signal and the output pulses from the counter-divider. The dividing ratio of the counter-divider is under control of means responsive to the measure of phase difference such that the counter-divider is adjusted to bring the pulses from the counter-divider toward an in-phase relationship with the reference signal as seen at the phase comparator. The selection of the dividing ratio is carried out by a logic means which responds to the output of the variable frequency oscillator and the output of the source of the reference signal to provide for a selection of the counter-divider division ratio for each cycle of the reference signal. The output or measure of phase difference is in the form of a single-bit digital function and this function is applied to a digital low-pass filter to produce a binary word.