In this work a novel ADC architecture suitable for smart sensor applications is presented. it guarantees to obtain a digital linear characteristic with sensing variable (first smart property) whatever the shape of the sensor transfer characteristic and, moreover, it is self-calibration on line (second smart property). This ADC is based on the successive approximation like architecture modified to implement also non-linear quantization steps. The classical Successive Approximation Register is replaced by a dedicated non-volatile memory (E~2PROM or Flash) and, moreover, an over-quantization internal process is implemented. In this manner it is possible to adapter the ADC characteristic to any sensor (with linear or non-linear characteristic) and it is possible recalibrate on line the system. A prototype of this ADC with 10 external bits has been built and positively tested.
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