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:
Aug. 17, 2010
Filed:
Jun. 29, 2006
Mark Brian Sandler, London N12 0JL, GB;
Joshua Daniel Reiss, London, GB;
Mark Brian Sandler, London N12 0JL, GB;
Joshua Daniel Reiss, London, GB;
Other;
Abstract
A method is provided for detecting limit cycles in a sigma delta modulator having an output signal that varies over a series of time intervals. In this method a first value that is indicative of the level of the modulator output signal after a predetermined time interval is stored in a first memory, and a second value that is indicative of the level of the modulator output signal after a further time interval subsequent to the predetermined time interval is stored in a second memory. The first value stored in the first memory is compared with the second value stored in the second memory, and an output indicative of a tendency for limit cycles to be produced in the modulator output signal is provided in response to such comparison. Such a method is particularly advantageous for detecting limit cycles in a sigma delta modulator as it can be implemented in a straightforward manner and offers a very accurate limit cycle detection mechanism. As a result it only becomes necessary to activate a limit cycle removal mechanism when limit cycle behavior has been observed, and major changes to design are not normally required to implement the detection mechanism.