Range recognizer employing a single range internally partitioned by monotonically increasing boundary values

摘要

A range recognizer applies acquired data to the inputs of a plurality of boundary comparators simultaneously, treating an entire range of values for the data as a single continuum which is partitioned by a series of internal boundaries that are monitonically increasing. Each boundary comparator compares the value of the data with its unique boundary value and provides the results to a single range encoder logic to generate a single binary word as an encoded result indicative of the comparison for the entire range. An upper boundary result of one boundary comparator is combined with a lower boundary result of an adjacent higher boundary comparator prior to input to the single range encoder logic. The result is a reduction In the number of output pins required on an integrated circuit (IC) for reporting the encoded result for a corresponding plurality of range recognizers.