How integrated ASICs and ADCs enhance mixed signals

In electronic systems, signal processing manipulates and prepares signals, conditioning them for subsequent data analysis or processing. This process involves amplifying, filtering, converting and isolating signals to meet the needs of further processing, ultimately enabling actionable, real-time insights.

Traditionally, signal processing and conditioning approaches focus primarily on either analogue or digital domains. Analogue signals — such as those from capacitive elements, magnetic heads and thermal sensors — undergo low-level conditioning to amplify, filter out noise and enhance signal integrity. In contrast, digital systems apply algorithms to process input signals, often comparing them against reference data to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Sole signal applications, however, have their challenges. Analogue signals are more susceptible to noise and signal degradation, making them harder to process with precision, while digital systems often require complex interfacing with analogue components.

Mixed-signal solutions

To overcome the limitations of purely analogue or digital approaches, mixed-signal solutions combine both domains, enabling simultaneous processing and conversion of analogue and digital signals. This integration enhances versatility, efficiency and accuracy in data transformation. A key element in many of these applications is a high-resolution analogue-to-digital converter (ADC).

In industrial environments like manufacturing plants, power stations and automation systems, signal conditioning is crucial for monitoring and controlling physical parameters. In these environments, high-resolution ADCs convert sensor outputs such as temperature, pressure, flow and vibration into digital data. This data is then processed to maintain optimal operating conditions, prevent equipment failures and boost efficiency. For example, in a manufacturing plant, precise signal conditioning allows for accurate monitoring of machinery, enabling predictive maintenance and reducing downtime.

Understanding ADCs

ADCs transform continuous signals into discrete data, making it easier to transmit and process information. Their role is crucial in preserving signal integrity, converting analogue inputs into digital data with minimal loss. This is done by repeatedly sampling the input over a set timeframe, striking a balance between data management and minimising signal loss. The result is a more precise and actionable set of insights that improve real-time decision making.

There are four main types of ADC: flash, pipelined, successive approximation register (SAR) and sigma-delta. Application based factors such as the resolution, speed, size, bandwidth or precision determine which ADC type is chosen. For example, due to their high resolution and speed versus low power consumption, pipelined ADCs have grown in popularity for applications such as CCD imaging, ultrasonic medical imaging and fast Ethernet.

Building a standard ADC means choosing from a limited range of commercial off-the-shelf parts. Such restriction can lead to a solution that might include over-specified components, unnecessary to achieve minimum performance in other areas and a final product that takes up more space than is necessary. But there is an optimal solution — integrate the ADC into an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Integration for optimised performance

ASICs are integrated circuits that are designed to meet specific functions within an application. Typically, an ASIC is found in a smart sensor system, where changes in the analogue environment must be digitised through signal conditioning to be processed.

Although an ASIC and ADC can function as separate entities, integrating them into a single chip offers significant advantages. Through integration, the analogue and digital aspects of the design are combined into a single silicon die, allowing the system to become smaller, more mechanically robust and eliminating the cost of a separate ADC component. It also reduces parasitic elements, like noise or signal degradation, that can arise from connecting separate chip

Integration also brings the process under one supplier. Ultimately, this reduces cost by cutting down the time needed to liaise between multiple manufacturers and enhances the validation process, allowing the entire package to be tested together.

In automotive applications, integrating an ASIC and ADC significantly enhances signal conditioning for various analogue inputs, such as those from engine sensors, assisted braking systems (ABS), and tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). This integration allows for real-time processing of critical data, ensuring optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency. In TPMS, it provides precise monitoring and timely alerts to drivers if tyre pressure drops below safe levels, contributing to overall vehicle safety and reliability.

Swindon Silicon’s decades of experience have resulted in a vast array of relevant IP that can be used to provide the signal conditioning parameters that you require. Alongside this, Swindon makes use of foundry IP and supplied IP, reducing development times while maximising performance.

Additionally, after integrating the ADC, other components can be too. Frequency generation elements like VCOs and PLLs, essential for timing and synchronisation in signal processing, as well as power management components, can also be incorporated alongside the ASIC and ADC into a single package.

Signal conditioning is a crucial element in modern electronics, ensuring precise and dependable data processing for a wide range of applications. ASICs, with their tailored design and integration of high-performance components, are key to improving the efficiency and functionality of signal conditioning, delivering the most optimised solutions available.