Patents by Inventor Michael Gerard Tuthill

Michael Gerard Tuthill has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5764174
    Abstract: A switch architecture for a digital-to-analog converter provides improved linearity. A first switch for one leg of the R/2R resistance ladder includes a unit resistor coupled between the MOSFET devices of the switch and the respective leg of the R/2R ladder. The on resistances of the MOSFET devices of the first switch are controlled in response to a reference value, such as the resistance of a reference resistor, which may have a resistance and other characteristics similar to the unit resistor. Other switches for other legs of the R/2R ladder also have a unit resistor, or other MOSFET devices having an on resistance controlled in relation to the reference value. Additional switches for other legs of the R/2R ladder may also have MOSFET devices of varying width to channel (W/L) ratios. Each of these approaches may be combined to achieve a binary weighting or an alternate weighting between legs of the R/2R ladder, in order to provide low linearity error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Dempsey, Michael Gerard Tuthill, Martin Gerard Cotter