Method and control system for generating a variable output bit analog to digital converter

摘要

In a digital control system wherein control voltages are analog voltages, a method and control system for generating a variable output bit resolution from an N bit analog to digital converter utilizing a control circuit to control the input spread of the voltage references to the A/D converter. Depending on the binary value of the MSD position, the input reference voltage spread is controlled. If the binary value is zero, the input reference voltage spread is one-half the normal value and the resolution is N+1 bits and if the binary value is zero for both the MSD and MSD-1 positions, the input reference voltage spread is one-fourth the normal value and the resolution is N+2 bits and so on until the first binary one value is found after consecutive preceding binary zero values.