Multi-DAC Signal Allocation for Low-Cost Precision Analog Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial control systems require high-precision digital-to-analog converters, but existing solutions face a cost-performance tradeoff, with low-cost options offering poor performance and high-performance options being costly.
Innovation Solution
A digital-to-analog conversion device comprising a control module, multiple conversion modules, an adder, and a feedback module, where the control module splits the input digital signal into progressive intermediate digital portions, each converted by a conversion module with increasing coefficients, and the adder combines the results to produce a high-precision analog signal, with the feedback module adjusting allocations for improved precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dedicated DAC chip is used for high-precision output, then the conversion precision and linearity are improved, but the device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the high-precision conversion task into multiple segments by using several low-resolution DAC chips (e.g., three 12-bit DACs to achieve 16-bit precision). Each DAC chip handles a portion of the digital signal, and their outputs are combined through weighted addition to achieve the overall high-precision conversion goal, thereby avoiding the need for a single expensive high-precision DAC chip.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the outputs of multiple low-resolution DAC chips through a combination circuit that performs weighted addition. By combining the analog outputs of multiple cheaper DACs with appropriate weighting coefficients, the system achieves the equivalent performance of a single high-precision DAC chip, thus reducing overall device cost while maintaining conversion precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If PWM filtering is used for digital-to-analog conversion, then the device cost is reduced, but the response speed and linearity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional PWM filtering mechanism (which relies on analog low-pass filters with inherent speed limitations) with a direct multi-DAC parallel conversion approach. By using multiple low-resolution DACs operating in parallel with digital signal distribution and analog output combination, the system achieves fast response speed comparable to dedicated high-precision DACs while maintaining low device cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple low-resolution conversion modules are used in parallel, then the device cost is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a control module that can dynamically configure and control multiple DAC chips, making it capable of handling different conversion precision requirements and signal types. This universal control module manages signal distribution, timing coordination, and output combination, thereby reducing the need for separate control circuits for each DAC and simplifying the overall system architecture despite using multiple conversion modules.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital-to-analog conversion device and method are provided. The control module is configured to split the input digital signal into n intermediate digital portions, divide the n intermediate digital portions by the corresponding conversion coefficients to obtain n intermediate digital signals and transmit the n intermediate digital signals to the n conversion modules. The n intermediate digital portions increase progressively. The conversion module is configured to perform digital-to-analog conversion on an intermediate digital signal to obtain a result including the conversion coefficient of the conversion module. The adder is configured to add output signals of the n conversion modules to obtain an analog signal. The feedback module is configured to obtain a feedback signal according to the analog signal. The control module is further configured to adjust the allocation of the n intermediate digital portions according to a target digital signal and the feedback signal.