New ADC with piecewise linear characteristic: Case study - Implementation of a smart humidity sensor

In this paper, the architecture of a new analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with a piecewise linear characteristic (PLADC) is proposed. In this device, some discrete points of the characteristic can be modified to fit a reques ted profile. This converter facility can be utilized to gain remarkable adv antages in a wide variety of applications, such as the implementation of a sensor linearization technique. In the paper the internal architecture of a two-stage 11-b flash PLADC prototype is briefly described. A representativ e demonstrative application,namely, the implementation of a linear digital humidity sensor, is discussed showing the effectiveness and usefulness of t his device. The problem of the characterization of this converter is also discussed, re porting some remarks about the implemented solutions.