Thermometer Decoder Array Layout for Low-Nonlinearity DACs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital-to-analog converters (DACs) exhibit poor performance due to inherent integral non-linearity and differential non-linearity, leading to increased layout area and routing complexity in binary-to-thermometer-code converters, which complicates binary-to-analog signal conversion.
Innovation Solution
A binary-to-thermometer-code converter design that generates column and row control signals to determine the thermometer-code output using an array of decoder circuit blocks, integrated with a thermometer-code-to-analog converter to reduce layout area and routing complexity, enabling efficient binary-to-analog signal conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a binary-to-thermometer-code converter is integrated into a DAC to minimize response errors, then the integral non-linearity and differential non-linearity are reduced, but the layout area and routing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The binary-to-thermometer-code converter is segmented into multiple decoder circuit blocks arranged in an array, where each block processes a portion of the conversion task. This segmentation allows the layout area to be distributed and optimized, reducing the concentration of routing complexity in a single large block while maintaining the precision benefits of the complete converter.
2Measurement precision
If a binary-to-thermometer-code converter is integrated into a DAC to minimize response errors, then the integral non-linearity and differential non-linearity are reduced, but the routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The converter is divided into multiple decoder circuit blocks that can be independently routed and connected. This segmentation simplifies the routing complexity by breaking down the complex interconnections into manageable segments, while still achieving the precision improvements through the complete conversion functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The decoder circuit blocks are arranged in a two-dimensional array structure with row and column organization. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions allows for more efficient routing patterns, reducing the overall routing complexity compared to a linear or monolithic structure while maintaining the required conversion precision.
3Area of stationary object
If decoder circuit blocks are arranged in an array structure, then the layout area is reduced through compact organization, but the device complexity increases due to additional control signal routing
Solution Approach 1:
The array structure organizes decoder blocks in rows and columns, utilizing two-dimensional space efficiently to reduce layout area. The row and column control signals provide a systematic method for addressing blocks in this multi-dimensional arrangement, which actually simplifies control signal routing compared to arbitrary connections, as the routing follows regular patterns based on the array geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital-to-thermometer-code converter is disclosed for converting a digital signal into its thermometer-code equivalent. Embodiments of the digital-to-thermometer-code include a binary-to-control signal converter that generates a column control signal and a row control signal based on a binary input signal, and a control signal-to-thermometer-code decoder that includes an array of decoder circuit blocks coupled to receive the column control signal and the row control signal, wherein each of the decoder circuit blocks determine at least one bit of the thermometer-code output signal based on at least a first bit of the column control signal.