Segmented Resistor-String DAC for Precision With Lower Chip Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital to Analog Converters (DACs) face challenges with high power consumption and large chip area due to complex structures and increasing precision requirements, making them less competitive for high-precision applications.
Innovation Solution
A digital to analog converter design incorporating a first resistor string, 2m multiplexers, a first voltage selector, a second resistor string, a second voltage selector, and a second multiplexer, where the second resistor string is connected in series with the first resistor string to alleviate load effects and reduce chip area, while maintaining precision through controlled switch operations and voltage selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of switches in DAC is increased to achieve higher precision, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the resistor string into multiple segments (first resistor string and second resistor string) and uses multiplexers to selectively connect different segments. This segmentation allows the DAC to achieve higher precision by combining multiple smaller resistor strings rather than using one large complex resistor string, thereby reducing the number of switches needed while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiplexers that can dynamically switch between different resistor string configurations based on the input digital signal. This dynamic switching capability allows the same hardware structure to serve multiple precision levels, reducing the need for additional fixed switches for each precision level.
2Measurement precision
If the number of switches in DAC is increased to achieve higher precision, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the resistor string and using multiplexers to selectively activate only the necessary segments, the patent reduces the number of simultaneously active switches. This selective activation reduces the total power consumption while maintaining the required precision through intelligent switching of segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiplexers to activate only the partial set of resistor segments needed for the current precision requirement, rather than keeping all switches and segments active. This partial action approach reduces power consumption while still achieving the necessary precision for each operating condition.
3Measurement precision
If the number of switches in DAC is increased to achieve higher precision, then measurement precision is improved, but chip area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the DAC structure into multiple smaller resistor strings that can be arranged more compactly on the chip. By using multiplexers to switch between these segments rather than requiring all switches to be simultaneously present, the overall chip area is reduced while maintaining high precision through the segmented architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiplexers serve multiple functions: they act as switches, as selectors for different precision levels, and as connectors between different resistor segments. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated components, thereby reducing the overall chip area required to achieve high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital to analog converter, a method for driving the same, and a display device are provided. The digital to analog converter includes: a first resistor string, 2m first multiplexers, a first voltage selector, a second resistor string, a second voltage selector, and a second multiplexer, where the 2m first multiplexers, the first voltage selector, and the second voltage selector operate in cooperation with each other so that the entire second resistor string can be connected in series to the first resistor string for further division.