Analog to digital converter for highly dynamic signals, using a variable reference voltage to floating decimal point output

摘要

An acquisition device for digitizing highly dynamic signals. After amplification in a fixed gain amplifier, the signals are applied to a sample and hold unit, the output of which is connected to an analog-to-digital converter to which a variable reference voltage is applied. This reference voltage is available at the output of a multiplexer to the inputs of which voltages are applied derived from sub-divisions of a calibrated voltage. The choice of the reference voltage is effected by a logic assembly as a function of the comparisons made by comparators between the sampled voltage and the derived voltages. The digitized signals are represented by a digital word from the converter and a digital word of gain G from the logic assembly.