Capacitive DAC Paths in ADC Circuits for Flat Wideband Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ADC circuits face challenges in achieving a flat delay profile, high gain, and wide bandwidth due to frequency-dependent attenuation and high power consumption in transimpedance and passive summation configurations, particularly in high-frequency applications.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating capacitors in the DAC paths of ADC circuits to match the capacitance of the filter, eliminating frequency-dependent attenuation and reducing power consumption by using a passive summation configuration without feedback impedance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transimpedance or passive summation configuration is used in ADC circuits, then conversion function is achieved, but frequency-dependent attenuation occurs and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the DAC paths by adding capacitors in parallel with the resistors. This modifies the impedance characteristics of the DAC paths to match the filter capacitance, thereby eliminating frequency-dependent attenuation and reducing power consumption while maintaining conversion accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If conventional DAC paths are used without capacitance matching, then circuit simplicity is maintained, but frequency response becomes non-flat and bandwidth is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit structureVSAvoidfrequency response flatness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the electrical parameters of the DAC paths by adding capacitors in parallel with the resistors. This changes the impedance characteristics to match the filter capacitance, thereby achieving a flat frequency response and extended bandwidth while maintaining reasonable circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If capacitance is added to DAC paths to match filter capacitance, then frequency response flatness and bandwidth improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency response flatnessVSAvoidDAC structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the capacitor addition with the existing resistor structure in the DAC paths. The capacitors are added in parallel with the existing resistors, merging the capacitance function with the existing resistive DAC structure. This achieves frequency response improvement while minimizing the increase in device complexity by utilizing the existing circuit topology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration achieves a wider unity gain bandwidth, flatter frequency response, and higher effective bandwidth, enhancing the ADC's sampled pulse response and effective number of bits, while consuming less power.

Implementation Method 1

the DAC includes one or more capacitive paths with capacitors between the input of the DAC and the output of the DAC

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP4701086A1ADC circuit with DAC including capacitance
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 NXP BV
  • EP4701086A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4701086A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4701086A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An ADC circuit includes an ADC that converts an input analog signal to a digital signal. The ADC circuit includes a filter circuit that receives the analog input signal and provides a filtered signal to a combiner circuit. The ADC circuit includes a DAC that converts the digital signal back to an analog signal that is provided to a combiner circuit. The DAC includes one or more capacitive paths with capacitors between the input of the DAC and the output of the DAC.