Using Ladder Network Patents (Class 341/154)
  • Publication number: 20140210657
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog (D/A) converter includes first resistors coupled in series, second resistors respectively coupled to the first resistors and each having a resistance twice as large as the resistance of the first resistor, and first switch circuits respectively coupled to the second resistors. Third resistors each have a resistance twice as large as the resistance of the first resistor. Second switch circuits each are coupled to the third resistors and a GND wire. A control circuit controls the first and second switch circuit in accordance with the digital input signals to set a state of a connection node to either one of a first voltage, a second voltage, and a high impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventor: Hisao SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8766841
    Abstract: A dynamically selectable resistor network is provided in a star configuration for producing a weighted sum of input values, without attenuation from near zero contributions. Each branch of the star connected network comprises sets of impedance components, preferably resistors, that are actively selectable to produce permutated combinations of effective weighting values. The resistors code digital control bits and the outputs of sets of resistors in respective branches that correspond to the least significant control bits provide their outputs to the summing output node independently of the sets of resistors corresponding to control bits of other significance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: ESS Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Mallinson
  • Publication number: 20140132435
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a string DAC with charge boosting. The string DAC may include multiple strings, such as an MSB DAC and an LSB DAC, for converting a digital word into a corresponding analog voltage. The string DAC may also include a charge boost system to couple a charge into or out of the DAC during a code transition, such as a MSB code transition. The string DAC may operate in a break-before-make connection technique where all relevant connections are substantially open-circuited before new connections are made. Therefore, the charge boost may shorten the settling time of impedance elements in the string DAC between code transitions and may substantially reduce (or eliminate) glitches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Dennis A. DEMPSEY
  • Publication number: 20140133524
    Abstract: A differential resistor-based digital-to-analog converter (RDAC) can include a positive digital-to-analog converter (PDAC) stage and a negative digital-to-analog converter (NDAC) stage. A first network of resistors of the PDAC stage can be electrically coupled to a second network of resistors of the NDAC stage utilizing an intermediary network of resistors. Further, a differential receiver can include a first input and a second input. The first input can be electrically coupled to a first resistor of the intermediary network of resistors, and the second input can be electrically coupled to a second resistor of the intermediary network of resistors. Furthermore, a portion of the first network of resistors can be electrically coupled to a positive output of the RDAC, and another portion of the second network of resistors can be electrically coupled to a negative output of the RDAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Semtech Corporation
    Inventor: Ark Chew Wong
  • Patent number: 8717215
    Abstract: One of the critical design parameters occurs when a digital signal is converted into an analog signal. As the supply voltage drops to less than 2 times of threshold voltage to reduce leakage and save power, generating a relative large swing with a resistor-ladder DAC becomes more difficult. For a 5 bit DAC, 32 sub-arrays are used to select the appropriate voltage from the series coupled resistor network. Each sub-array uses p-channel transistors where the sub-array extracting the lowest voltage 700 mV only has a 100 mV of gate to source voltage. To compensate for the reduced gate to source voltage, the sub-arrays are partitioned into four groups. In each group, the p-channel width is increased from 2 um to 5 um, as the tap voltage drops from 1.2 V to 0.7 V. This allows the p-channel transistor with a small gate to source voltage to have a larger width thereby improving performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Tensorcom, Inc.
    Inventor: Dai Dai
  • Patent number: 8717212
    Abstract: An improved quadrature bandpass-sampling delta-sigma analog-to-digital demodulator is provided, which includes a loop filter, an A/D responsive to the loop filter, and a first feedback D/A responsive to the A/D up-converted in frequency by a first multiplier and a clock. A first summing circuit is responsive to the first D/A and an RF input for providing an input to the loop filter. A plurality of feedback D/As is responsive to the A/D up-converted in different frequencies by a plurality of multipliers and a plurality of clocks for providing feedback inputs to the loop filter. The loop filter comprises a plurality of resonators arranged in cascade configuration, a plurality of analog mixers to provide frequency shifting of the error signals propagating through the resonators, and a plurality of summing circuits responsive to the feedback D/As.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Phuong Huynh
    Inventor: Phuong Huynh
  • Patent number: 8717214
    Abstract: An N bit sub-binary radix digital-to analog converter (DAC) includes a radix conversion module that converts an m bit digital input signal to an N bit sub-radix DAC code. A ladder module having NL bits has a plurality of first circuit elements corresponding to first respective bits of the N bit sub-radix DAC code. A segment module having NS bits has at least one second circuit element corresponding to second respective bits of the N bit sub-radix DAC code. N>m, and N is the sum of NL and NS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuanfang Li, David Castaneda, Daniel Alexander
  • Patent number: 8717216
    Abstract: A differential digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a DAC includes a number of resistor networks coupled in series to form a ring, and a digital decoder configured to receive a digital code. Based on the most significant bits of the digital code, the digital decoder is configured to close selected ones of first and second groups of switches to couple first and second reference voltage nodes to corresponding tap points on the ring. Within the number of networks are first and second output circuits, each of which is arranged as a one-hot multiplexer. Based on the least significant bits of the digital code, the decoder is configured to couple respective tap points in the ring to first and second output voltage nodes in order to provide a differential output voltage based on the digital code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Ali Motamed
  • Patent number: 8711022
    Abstract: A resistor-2 resistor (R-2R) digital-to-analog converter with resistor network reversal and methods of use are disclosed. A circuit includes a plurality of resistor stacks and a plurality of separation resistors which separate the resistor stacks. The circuit further includes a plurality of selection devices connected to a respective one of the plurality of resistor stacks. The circuit also includes a first termination resistor stack connected to a drain of a first resistor stack of the plurality of resistor stacks and a second termination resistor stack connected to a drain of a last resistor stack of the plurality of resistor stacks. The circuit further includes a first switch connected to the drain of the first resistor stack of the plurality of resistor stacks and an output. The circuit also includes a second switch connected to the drain of the last resistor stack of the plurality of resistor stacks and the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph A. Iadanza
  • Patent number: 8704692
    Abstract: N upper-side resistors and N lower-side resistors are severally associated with respective bits of a digital input code. Each resistance value is weighted in an essentially binary manner according to the corresponding bit. N upper-side switches are each arranged in parallel with a corresponding upper-side resistor, and each is configured such that its on/off state is controlled according to the corresponding bit. N lower-side switches are each arranged in parallel with a corresponding lower-side resistor, and each is configured such that its on/off state is controlled according to logical inversion of the corresponding bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Ken'ichi Sawada, Shoji Kojima
  • Patent number: 8643521
    Abstract: A DAC has at least one bit current-steering circuit. In the DAC, the current-steering circuit has a current source circuit, a switch, a feedback circuit, and an amplifier circuit. The current source circuit is disposed for outputting a bias current to the switch and coupled to the amplifier circuit. The switch has a first input/output terminal coupled to output an analog signal, a control terminal coupled to the feedback circuit, and a second input/output terminal for receiving the bias current, so that the first switch determines whether the first and the second input/output terminals are conducted according to a status of the control terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chen Cheng, Wen-Hong Hsu, Po-Hua Chen, Yu-Yee Liow
  • Patent number: 8629793
    Abstract: A continuous-time delta-sigma Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) includes: a loop filter, for receiving and noise-shaping an analog input signal, and outputting a first loop voltage; a first summing resistor, for transforming a first feedback current to be a first feedback voltage, and summing the first loop voltage and the first feedback voltage so as to generate a first summing voltage, wherein the first summing voltage is equal to a sum of the first loop voltage and the first feedback voltage; a quantizer, for outputting a digital output signal according to the first summing voltage; and a current Digital to Analog Converter (DAC), for generating the first feedback current according to the digital output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventor: Jen-Che Tsai
  • Patent number: 8624653
    Abstract: A device includes a comparator, and a selection circuit coupled to the inputs of the comparator. The selection circuit receives reference voltages and a variable voltage. In a normal operation mode, the selection circuit provides the variable voltage and a selected reference voltage to the comparator and the comparator provides an indication based on the variable voltage. In a test mode, the selection circuit provides a first selected reference voltage and a second selected reference voltage to the comparator for determining a switching offset voltage of the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Miten H. Nagda, Dale J. McQuirk
  • Publication number: 20130335249
    Abstract: A resistor-2 resistor (R-2R) digital-to-analog converter with resistor network reversal and methods of use are disclosed. A circuit includes a plurality of resistor stacks and a plurality of separation resistors which separate the resistor stacks. The circuit further includes a plurality of selection devices connected to a respective one of the plurality of resistor stacks. The circuit also includes a first termination resistor stack connected to a drain of a first resistor stack of the plurality of resistor stacks and a second termination resistor stack connected to a drain of a last resistor stack of the plurality of resistor stacks. The circuit further includes a first switch connected to the drain of the first resistor stack of the plurality of resistor stacks and an output. The circuit also includes a second switch connected to the drain of the last resistor stack of the plurality of resistor stacks and the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joseph A. IADANZA
  • Publication number: 20130335248
    Abstract: A resistor-2 resistor (R-2R) digital-to-analog converter with partial resistor network reconfiguration. A circuit includes a plurality of resistor stacks. The circuit also includes a plurality of separation resistors which separate each of the plurality of resistor stacks. The circuit further includes a first selection circuit connected to a first resistor stack of the plurality of resistor stacks and a plurality of selection circuits connected between the plurality of separation resistors. The circuit also includes a termination resistor stack connected to a drain of the first resistor stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joseph A. IADANZA
  • Publication number: 20130314263
    Abstract: A digital-to analog-converter (DAC) has a MSB resistor ladder with a plurality of series connected resistors, wherein the MSB resistor ladder is coupled between a first and second reference potential, a LSB resistor ladder with a plurality of series connected resistors, and a plurality of switching units for connecting one of the series connected resistors of the MSB resistor ladder with the LSB resistor ladder, wherein each switching unit has a first switch for connecting a first terminal of an associated MSB resistor with a first terminal of the LSB resistor ladder and a second switch for connecting a second terminal of the associated MSB resistor with a second terminal of the LSB resistor ladder and wherein each switch is configured form a resistor of similar value of the resistors of the LSB resistor ladder when switched on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Gregory Dix
  • Patent number: 8581766
    Abstract: A system includes an NL bit digital to analog converter (DAC) ladder module having NL ladder resistors connected in parallel, NL series resistors connected in series between the NL ladder resistors, and a plurality of switches. NL is an integer greater than one. Adjacent pairs of the plurality of switches are connected in series with respective ones of the ladder resistors. On resistances of each of the plurality of switches are approximately equal. A switch control module provides a plurality of switch control signals to respective ones of the plurality of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuanfang Li, David Castaneda, Ling Liu
  • Publication number: 20130293405
    Abstract: A digital input to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is divided into a most significant portion and a lesser significant portion. At least one tap voltage generator generates a plurality of voltages, preferably using a resistor string. A decoder decodes at least one sub-word that forms the lesser significant portion to generate a corresponding at least one control signal. A switching unit accesses voltages generated by the at least one tap voltage generator in response to the at least one control signal. A scaled current generator generates a respective weighted current from each accessed voltage. An output stage combines all the weighted currents with a voltage that is an analog representation of the most significant portion of the digital input to generate an analog approximation of the entire digital input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Analog Devices Technology
    Inventor: Italo Carlos Medina Sánchez-Castro
  • Patent number: 8575961
    Abstract: A multi-valued driver circuit selectively outputs, to a transmission line, one from among multiple voltages according to a selection signal. A memory circuit stores setting data which define the respective levels of the multiple voltages. According to the selection signal, a selector circuit selects one from among the multiple setting data stored in the memory circuit. A Thevenin termination circuit outputs a voltage that corresponds to the upper M bits of the data thus selected by the selector circuit. An R-2R ladder circuit outputs a voltage that corresponds to the lower Nl bits of the data thus selected by the selector circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Shoji Kojima
  • Publication number: 20130271305
    Abstract: An inverter-driven resistor-ladder digital-to-analog (DAC) converter includes a resistor-ladder network that comprises a resistor for each bit signal of a multi-bit input signal. Each resistor of the resistor-ladder network comprises an input end and an output end. The input end of each resistor is coupled to a corresponding bit signal of the multi-bit input signal, and the output end of each resistor is coupled to an output node of the resistor-ladder network. An output voltage is generated at the output node that is based on the multi-bit input signal. In one exemplary embodiment, the multi-bit input signal is a sigma-delta (??) modulated multi-bit input signal. In another exemplary embodiment, resistance values of the resistors of the resistor-ladder network are related by a binary weighting. In still another exemplary embodiment, resistance values of the resistors of the resistor-ladder network are substantially equal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Hyung Seok Kim, Yee W. Li, Ashoke Ravi, Hasnain Lakdawala
  • Patent number: 8558726
    Abstract: Complete testing of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can be carried out using digital signals and at high speeds. Circuit elements are added to an ADC so that a first phase of testing may be carried out using a limited number of analog test voltages. The ADC may then be reconfigured using added circuit elements to disable conventional analog-to-digital conversion. A digital signal may then be applied to the ADC to rapidly test all switching elements used in analog-to-digital conversion. According to some implementations, testing times for ADCs may be reduced from hours to milliseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chee Weng Cheong, Kien Beng Tan
  • Patent number: 8552898
    Abstract: A circuit has a digital to analog (DA) resistance ladder having an analog output; a capacitor coupled to the analog output; a first resistance coupled from the capacitor to ground; and a switch coupled to the capacitor in parallel to the resistor, wherein the switch, when closed, has a second resistance, and the first resistance is greater than the second resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jim Kien Huy Le, Abidur Rahman
  • Publication number: 20130222169
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog (D/A) converter includes D/A conversion circuits and an amplifier circuit coupled between the D/A conversion circuits. Each D/A conversion circuit includes an R-2R ladder type resistor network, first transistors coupled between the resistor network and a first wiring at a first voltage level, and second transistors coupled between the resistor network and a second wiring at a second voltage level. The sizes of the first transistors are set at a ratio of powers of 2. The sizes of second transistors are set at a ratio of powers of 2. The second transistors are respectively turned on and off complementarily to the first transistors according to the digital input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventor: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
  • Patent number: 8514120
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that comprises resistors, a first set of switches, and a second set of switches. The resistors are arranged in an array having columns and rows, where the number of resistors is an integer multiple of the number of columns or rows. The resistors are coupled together in a skip-K pattern. Each switch from the first and second sets of switches is coupled to the resistor string, and the first and second sets of switches are each arranged in a sequence and are offset from one another by an offset value. The first and second sets of switches are arranged along the periphery of the array such that each switch from the first set of switches is located in proximity to and is associated with the same row or the same column as its corresponding switch in the sequence from the second set of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Ralph G. Oberhuber, Tsedeniya A. Abraham, Mark Shill
  • Patent number: 8487801
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter includes: a coarse A/D converter configured to convert, when converting an analog input signal into an N-bit digital signal, the analog input signal into a high-order m-bit digital signal; a fine A/D converter configured to convert the analog input signal into a low-order n-bit (where n=N?m) digital signal based on a conversion result of the coarse A/D converter; and a track-and-hold (TH) circuit configured to sample the analog input signal, to supply a comparison voltage compared with a coarse reference voltage to the coarse A/D converter, and to supply a comparison voltage compared with a fine reference voltage based on a conversion result of the fine A/D converter to the fine A/D converter. The TH circuit is configured to share a sampling capacitor in a selective input path for the analog input signal, the coarse reference voltage, and the fine reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichirou Etou, Yasuhide Shimizu, Kouhei Kudou, Yukitoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8487800
    Abstract: Examples of resistive digital-to-analog converter (RDAC) circuits are provided herein. RDAC circuits may provide an analog output signal derived from an n-bit digital input signal. In one example, an RDAC circuit may include a plurality of resistive circuit branches. Each resistive circuit branch may be arranged in a pull up/pull down network configuration. For example, an RDAC circuit may include a plurality of resistive circuit branches positioned in parallel. In an example, each of the plurality of resistive circuit branches may include a first inverter circuit, a second inverter circuit, and a resistive component. The RDAC circuit may include an output node for providing the analog output signal. Additionally, methods are provided for converting an analog output signal derived from an n-bit digital input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Semtech Corporation
    Inventors: Ark-Chew Wong, Jonathan Muller
  • Publication number: 20130169462
    Abstract: A circuit has a digital to analog (DA) resistance ladder having an analog output; a capacitor coupled to the analog output; a first resistance coupled from the capacitor to ground; and a switch coupled to the capacitor in parallel to the resistor, wherein the switch, when closed, has a second resistance, and the first resistance is greater than the second resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jim Kien Huy Le, Abidur Rahman
  • Patent number: 8462036
    Abstract: A circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter with non-uniform resolution for converting a digital signal into an analog signal. The digital-to-analog converter includes high-resolution circuitry, reduced-resolution circuitry coupled to the high-resolution circuitry and a switch coupled to the high-resolution circuitry and to the reduced-resolution circuitry. The switch couples one of the high-resolution circuitry and the reduced-resolution circuitry to an output node. The circuit also includes a decoder coupled to the switch. The decoder receives the digital signal to control the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM, Incorporated
    Inventors: Chiewcharn Narathong, Jong Min Park, Tsai-Pi Hung
  • Patent number: 8456347
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter including a voltage generation unit and a plurality of sub ADCs, each including a selection unit for selecting a voltage generated by the voltage generation unit based on a number and forwarding the selected voltage to a comparator arrangement. The selection unit includes first and second switch layers. The first switch layer includes a plurality of switch groups, each including a plurality of switch devices, each connected to a unique output terminal of the voltage generation unit with a first terminal and to a common node of the switch group with a second terminal. The second switch layer includes a switch device between the common node of each switch group and the first output terminal of the selection unit and a switch device between the common node and the second output terminal of the selection unit. A control unit generates control signals for the switch devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: CSR Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Wikner
  • Patent number: 8421662
    Abstract: A low power consumption DA converter includes a segment type DA converter and an R-2R resistance ladder DA converter. The segment type DA converter is coupled to a power source voltage VDD and outputs a current signal changing in a stepwise manner according to inputted upper bits D[7 to 5]. The R-2R resistance ladder DA converter is coupled to the segment type DA converter in series between the power source voltage VDD and a ground voltage GND, and outputs an output voltage Vout changing in a stepwise manner. The R-2R resistance ladder DA converter changes the output voltage Vout by raising or lowering a reference voltage Vref according to the lower bits D[4 to 0] and the current signal from the segment type DA converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Masumi Kon
  • Patent number: 8362870
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first connection line; a second connection line; a plurality of tuning resistors with each having a sequence number and being coupled between the first connection line and the second connection line; and a plurality of switches, with each being coupled in series with one of the plurality of tuning resistors. The sequence numbers of the plurality of tuning resistors are continuous. The resistance values of the plurality of tuning resistors are a function of the respective sequence numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying-Yu Hsu
  • Publication number: 20120326907
    Abstract: A resistor string digital-to-analog converter includes an input terminal receiving a digital input signal in digital code, an output terminal revealing an analog output signal in analog voltage, a first plurality of voltage-acquisition nodes including a first pair of nodes which is adjacent to each other, a first plurality of resistors being connected in series via the first plurality of voltage-acquisition nodes, a second pair of nodes revealing a pair of analog voltages, a high-order voltage-acquisition circuit providing conduction between a respective one of the first pair of nodes and a respective one of the second pair of nodes in accordance with the digital input signal, a low-order converter generating the analog output signal, which is obtained by interpolating one and the other of the pair of analog voltages in accordance with the digital input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Renesas Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Koji HIRAI
  • Patent number: 8339301
    Abstract: A gamma voltage generator includes an RGB common gamma voltage generation section configured to generate RGB common gamma voltages using corresponding gamma reference voltages among a plurality of gamma reference voltages; and at least two of an RG gamma voltage generation section configured to generate RG gamma voltages using corresponding gamma reference voltages among the plurality of gamma reference voltages, an R gamma voltage generation section configured to generate R gamma voltages using corresponding gamma reference voltages among the plurality of gamma reference voltages, a G gamma voltage generation section configured to generate G gamma voltages using corresponding gamma reference voltages among the plurality of gamma reference voltages, and a B gamma voltage generation section configured to generate B gamma voltages using corresponding gamma reference voltages among the plurality of gamma reference voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon Ho Na, An Young Kim, Yong Icc Jung, Soo Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8330634
    Abstract: A system includes an N bit sub-binary radix digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that converts an m bit digital input signal to an analog output signal, where m and N are integers greater than or equal to 1 and N>m. A radix conversion module determines a code ratio, the code ratio being a ratio of a total number of available monotonic codes to 2m, and performs radix conversion on the m bit digital input signal based on the code ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuanfang Li, David Castaneda, Daniel Alexander
  • Patent number: 8284014
    Abstract: A digital potentiometer includes a circuit containing multiple string arrays, each having a plurality of switching devices connected to an array of resistors. Each input terminal receives a separate digital input code enabling the resistance of one of the arms to be varied without changing the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaushal Kumar Jha
  • Patent number: 8269659
    Abstract: A system for implementing a cyclic digital to analog converter (c-DAC) is capable of supporting a large size liquid crystal display. The system includes an upper DAC stage configured to output a first voltage between a lower voltage supply (HVDD) and an upper voltage supply (AVDD). The system also includes a lower DAC stage configured to output a second voltage between the lower voltage supply (HVDD) and a ground. The upper DAC stage includes a single PMOS switch and the lower DAC stage includes a single NMOS switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoseph Adhi Darmawan, Yannick Guedon
  • Patent number: 8253612
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for calibrating a ladder circuit. The apparatus includes: a logic unit for receiving a first logical signal, a second logical signal, and N control bits and for outputting N alternative control bits and an additional control bit, where N is an integer greater than 1; a core circuit for receiving the N alternative control bits, the additional control bit, and a tuning word, and for outputting an output signal, wherein the core circuit comprises N?1 series elements, N shunt elements with a connectivity controlled by the N alternative control bits, respectively, and a termination element with a connectivity controlled by the additional control bit; and a calibration circuit for receiving the first logical signal, the second logical signal, and the output signal and for outputting the tuning word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Chia-Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 8242944
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog conversion circuit includes a gradation voltage generation circuit, a most-significant-bits decoder circuit, a least-significant-bits decoder circuit and a calculation circuit. The gradation voltage generation circuit generates multiple main voltages corresponding to most significant bits of the inputted data, and multiple sub voltages corresponding to least significant bits of the inputted data. The most-significant-bits decoder circuit selects one of the main voltages in accordance with the most significant bits, and the least-significant-bits decoder circuit selects one of the sub voltages in accordance with the least significant bits. The calculator circuit performs calculation processing by use of a first main voltage selected by the most-significant-bits decoder circuit, a first sub voltage selected by the least-significant-bits decoder circuit, and a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kengo Umeda
  • Publication number: 20120200442
    Abstract: A system includes an N bit sub-binary radix digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that converts an m bit digital input signal to an analog output signal, where m and N are integers greater than or equal to 1 and N>m. A radix conversion module determines a code ratio, the code ratio being a ratio of a total number of available monotonic codes to 2m, and performs radix conversion on the m bit digital input signal based on the code ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuanfang Li, David Castaneda, Daniel Alexander
  • Patent number: 8212754
    Abstract: A grayscale voltage generating circuit includes a first constant-voltage source for generating a high potential; a second constant-voltage source for generating a low potential; ? resistor connected between outputs of the first and second constant-voltage sources; a difference voltage detecting circuit for detecting a difference voltage across the ? resistor; and a voltage-to-current converting circuit for converting the difference voltage to a current by a resistor and outputting the current as a source current and a sink current. The source current output and sink current output of the voltage-to-current converting circuit are connected to the high and low potential sides, respectively, of the ? resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kouichi Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20120146828
    Abstract: A circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter with non-uniform resolution for converting a digital signal into an analog signal. The digital-to-analog converter includes high-resolution circuitry, reduced-resolution circuitry coupled to the high-resolution circuitry and a switch coupled to the high-resolution circuitry and to the reduced-resolution circuitry. The switch couples one of the high-resolution circuitry and the reduced-resolution circuitry to an output node. The circuit also includes a decoder coupled to the switch. The decoder receives the digital signal to control the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Chiewcharn Narathong, Jong Min Park, Tsai-Pi Hung
  • Publication number: 20120133538
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) includes: a plurality of first controllers and a plurality of resistor devices. The plurality of first controllers are configured to be selectively switched on according to a received digital signal to control an analog signal according to the received digital signal. The plurality of resistor devices are respectively connected to the plurality of first controllers. The plurality of resistor devices include non-volatile memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun-sik Choi, Ho-jung Kim, Hyung-su Jeong
  • Patent number: 8188899
    Abstract: An resistor string digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that includes elements to compensate for resistor ladder loading, and/or to provide compensation for loading such as via switch current cancellation. The approach reduces output voltage sensitivity to switch resistances while also reducing INL and DNL errors. Additional resistor loops are optionally disposed at the top and bottom of one or more further segments to provide Nth order resistive current cancellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Intersil Americas, Inc.
    Inventor: Ali Motamed
  • Publication number: 20120050084
    Abstract: A digital to analog converter (DAC) includes a pair of operational amplifiers each having a first input coupled to a reference voltage. The DAC includes a plurality of switch-controlled cells, each of which includes a resistor and two force/sense switch pairs. A first force switch may be coupled to an output of a first operational amplifier and an associated sense switch may be coupled to an inverting input of the first operational amplifier. A second force switch may be coupled to an output of a second operational amplifier and an associated sense switch may be coupled to an inverting input of the second operational amplifier. The force switches may provide selectively conductive paths to permit either operational amplifier to drive a given cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Roderick McLachlan
  • Publication number: 20120050085
    Abstract: A low power consumption DA converter includes a segment type DA converter and an R-2R resistance ladder DA converter. The segment type DA converter is coupled to a power source voltage VDD and outputs a current signal changing in a stepwise manner according to inputted upper bits D[7 to 5]. The R-2R resistance ladder DA converter is coupled to the segment type DA converter in series between the power source voltage VDD and a ground voltage GND, and outputs an output voltage Vout changing in a stepwise manner. The R-2R resistance ladder DA converter changes the output voltage Vout by raising or lowering a reference voltage Vref according to the lower bits D[4 to 0] and the current signal from the segment type DA converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masumi KON
  • Publication number: 20120050080
    Abstract: A force/sense voltage-mode DAC coupled with multiple transconductance amplifiers that generate a correction current injected to a node in one of the DAC cells is discussed. The correction current injected into the DAC cell may reduce nonlinearity produced by biasing current to the operational amplifiers in the DAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Roderick MCLACHLAN, Teng-Hee LEE
  • Patent number: 8094109
    Abstract: A multilevel voltage generating circuit includes first and second input nodes provided on a first resistance element and supplied with first and second reference voltages. A current substantially flows in a first specific area for a line between the first and second input nodes based on a difference between the first and second reference voltages. A first group of output nodes are provided for the first resistance element to output a portion of a plurality of level voltages. A first one of the first group of output nodes for one of the plurality of level voltages which is closest to the first reference voltage is provided outside the first specific area. The first output node, the first input node, and the second input node, are arranged on a line on the first resistance element in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Junichirou Ishii, Hiroshi Tsuchi
  • Patent number: 8063807
    Abstract: An equalization circuitry that includes a digital-to-analog converter having a voltage divider and a multiplexer coupled to the voltage divider is described. In one implementation, the digital-to-analog converter provides a control signal to a plurality of single-stage equalizer control logic circuits. Also, in one implementation, the multiplexer receives a plurality of inputs from the voltage divider and selects an output from the plurality of inputs. Furthermore, in one implementation, the voltage divider includes a plurality of resistors coupled in series. Also, in one implementation, the voltage divider further includes a first resistor coupled to the plurality of resistors, ground, and a lowest voltage input terminal of the multiplexer, where a voltage across the first resistor is an input voltage to the lowest voltage input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Tin H. Lai, Sergey Shumarayev, Tim Tri Hoang
  • Patent number: 8031093
    Abstract: An n bit D/A decoder is formed using P-type and N-type transistor switches, instead of convention CMOS switches. Each P-type and N-type switch may be formed of fewer transistors than those used to form a CMOS switch, thereby reducing the overall transistor count. The decoder may be used to decode digital values to non-linear GAMMA corrected analog output voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Kongning Li, Charles Leung, Grigori Temkine, Milivoje Aleksic, Steven Turner, Greg Vansickle, Kevin O'Neil
  • Patent number: 8031100
    Abstract: A resistor string digital to analog converter formed of polysilicon resistor segments to each of which is applied an electric field. The approach improves the overall accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Ali Motamed