Flash analog-to-digital converter with matrix-switched comparators

摘要

An integrated circuit includes a converter for converting a signal from one form to another, one of the forms being analog and the other form being digital. The converter includes a voltage gradient having a plurality of MSB taps spaced there-along with the plurality of LSB taps spaced between adjacent MSB taps. An array of comparators are coupled to the voltage gradient with each comparator providing an output. A matrix of switches are coupled between the voltage gradient and the comparator inputs. The first inputs of the comparators in the array are coupled to a sample-and-hold circuit which provides a sample of the analog input signal. Decode and control logic are coupled to comparator outputs to provide a control to the matrix of switches to determine which taps of the voltage gradient are coupled as second inputs to the comparators in the array of comparators and also to provide the resultant output representation of the sampled analog input signal.