Analog multiplex level shifter with reset
AssigneeWinbond Electronics Corp.
InventorsTim Blankenship, Stephen Bily
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A digital-to-analog converter is disclosed, which includes a decoder stage having a decoder output capable of receiving input data, a level shifter stage coupled to the decoder output capable of shifting the level of the decoder output, an output stage communicatively coupled to the level shifter stage capable of responding based upon an output value of the level shifter stage, and a current mirror communicatively coupled to the level shifter and capable to shift the level of the decoder output, and further includes an output stage having switches, which are selectively turned on by an output signal from the decoder stage thus outputting a reference voltage.
Claims27
A digital-to-analog converter, comprising:
- a current source;
- a first voltage source;
- a second voltage source having a lower voltage than the first voltage source;
- a level shifter having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being coupled to the current source;
- a plurality of transistors, wherein at least one of the plurality of transistors is coupled to the level shifter and responsive to a reset signal;
- and
- an output stage coupled to the second terminal of the level shifter, wherein the output stage includes an output stage transistor for receiving a reference voltage and providing an analog output voltage, wherein the analog output voltage has a voltage value between that of the first and second voltage sources.
A digital-to-analog converter, comprising:
- means for providing a current;
- means for shifting voltage levels coupled to the current source means, wherein the level shifting means includes an inverter means;
- a plurality of transistors, wherein at least one of the plurality of transistors is coupled to the level shifting means and responsive to a reset signal, and wherein each of the plurality of transistor receives a data bit;
- and
- output means coupled to the level shifting means for providing an analog output voltage.
A digital-to-analog converter, comprising:
- a current source;
- a level shifter coupled to the current source, wherein the level shifter comprises an inverter with a feedback channel;
- a plurality of transistors coupled to the level shifter for receiving at least two data bits;
- and
- an output stage coupled to the level shifter, wherein the output stage includes an output stage transistor for receiving a reference voltage and providing an analog output voltage.
A method of performing digital to analog conversion, comprising:
- providing a current source;
- providing a level shifter coupled to the current source;
- providing a reset signal;
- providing a plurality of transistors responsive to the reset signal;
- coupling at least one of the plurality of transistors to the level shifter;
- and
- providing an output stage coupled to the level shifter for providing an analog output voltage.
A method of selecting a digital-to-analog converter, comprising:
- providing a current source in an off state;
- providing a level shifter coupled to the current source;
- providing a plurality of transistors;
- coupling at least one of the plurality of transistors to the level shifter;
- turning on at least one of the plurality of transistors;
- providing a first transistor coupled to the level shifter;
- providing a first voltage to one of source and drain of the first transistor;
- providing an output stage coupled to the level shifter for providing an analog output voltage;
- and
- turning on the output stage.
A method of resetting a digital-to-analog converter, comprising:
- providing a current source;
- providing a level shifter coupled to the current source;
- providing a plurality of transistors;
- coupling at least one of the plurality of transistors to the level shifter;
- providing a first transistor coupled to the level shifter;
- providing a first voltage to one of source and drain of the first transistor;
- providing a reset voltage to a gate of the firs transistor to turn on the first transistor;
- providing a reset voltage to turn off at least one of the plurality of transistors;
- and
- providing an output stage coupled to the level shifter for providing an analog output voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.