Shared Current-to-Voltage DAC Circuit for Summed Code Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of integrated circuits is increased due to the need for numerous circuit elements in digital-to-analog converters (DACs) to convert and sum digital codes into analog signals, leading to design complexity and reduced spatial capacity.
Innovation Solution
A digital-to-analog conversion circuit is designed with two DACs, each including a binary-to-thermometer code converter and current cells connected in parallel, which generate currents based on digital codes and convert them to analog voltage through current-to-voltage converters, allowing for a sum or weighted sum of digital codes to be output as a single analog voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple DACs are used to convert different digital codes to analog signals and sum them, then the conversion accuracy is improved, but the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple current-to-voltage conversion operations into a single shared converter. Instead of having separate current-to-voltage converters for each DAC, the invention uses one shared converter that receives the summed current from multiple parallel current sources, thereby reducing circuit complexity while maintaining conversion accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared current-to-voltage converter serves multiple functions by converting currents from multiple different digital codes simultaneously. This single converter handles what would otherwise require multiple dedicated converters, reducing overall circuit complexity while maintaining the ability to accurately convert each digital code.
2Measurement precision
If numerous circuit elements are used for summing analog signals, then the conversion accuracy is improved, but the spatial capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple current sources and a single current-to-voltage converter into an integrated structure. By sharing the current-to-voltage converter among multiple DACs and using parallel current summation, the design reduces the total number of circuit elements and their associated physical space requirements while preserving conversion accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple current-to-voltage converters are used for each DAC, then the conversion accuracy is improved, but the number of circuit elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple current-to-voltage conversion functions into a single shared converter. Instead of having separate converters for each DAC, the invention uses one converter that processes the summed current from multiple parallel current sources, thereby reducing the number of circuit elements from multiple converters to just one.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared current-to-voltage converter is designed to handle currents from multiple different digital codes simultaneously, making it a universal converter that replaces what would otherwise require multiple dedicated converters. This reduces the total number of circuit elements while maintaining the ability to accurately convert each input.
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 solution simplifies the circuit design by summing analog signals from multiple digital codes into a single output, reducing the number of circuit elements and enhancing spatial capacity while maintaining accurate conversion.
Implementation Method 1
a first binary-to-thermometer code converter (BTC) configured to convert a first digital code received through a first input terminal to a first thermometer code; a plurality of first current cells connected between a first voltage source and a first output node, and configured to provide a first current to the first output node based on the first thermometer code
Data Source
AI summary
A digital-to-analog conversion circuit includes a first digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and a second DAC. The first DAC includes a first current generation circuit (CGC) and a first current-to-voltage converter. The first CGC generates a first current based on a first digital code received through a first terminal to provide the first current to an output node. The second DAC includes a second CGC and a second current-to-voltage converter. The second CGC generates a second current based on a second digital code received through a second input terminal to provide the second current to the output node. The first current-to-voltage converter and the second current-to-voltage converter convert a sum of the first current and the second current to a an analog voltage corresponding to a sum of the first digital code and the second digital code, and output the analog voltage at the output node.