The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 13, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 07, 2003
Christian Ebner, München, DE;
Xignal Technologies AG, Unterhaching, DE;
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for operating a comparator ( ) and a pre-amplifier ( ) of an integrated circuit, which pre-amplifier is connected in series to the comparator, wherein the comparator ( ) is operated with clock pulses in order to compare comparator input signals at periodical decision points (t2), wherein the pre-amplifier ( ) is operated with clock pulses so as, in amplification phases (t1 to t2) which precede the decision points (t2), to amplify a signal (IN) which has been input to the pre-amplifier, and to provide the amplified signal (OUT) as a comparator input signal, and so as, in reset phases (t0 to t1) which precede the amplification phases (t1 to t2), to reset the amplification (G) to a minimum value. According to the invention, the pre-amplifier ( ) is operated such that its amplification (G) during a rise phase within the amplification phase (t1 to t2) rises gradually and uniformly from the minimum value to a maximum value. The invention thus makes possible operation of the pre-amplifier with low current consumption and yet with an output signal which ensures that the comparator makes a reliable decision.