Multi-level digital-to-analog converter element with mismatch suppression and associated method

A multi-level digital-to-analog converter (DAC) element comprising:

• a first DAC cell, comprising:
• a first reference circuit, arranged to provide a first reference signal;
• a second reference circuit, arranged to provide a second reference signal;
• and
• a first switch circuit, coupled to the first reference circuit and the second reference circuit, wherein the first switch circuit is arranged to receive a control input from an input port of the multi-level DAC element, and control interconnection between the first reference circuit, the second reference circuit, and an output port of the multi-level DAC element according to the control input, wherein the multi-level DAC element operates in one of multiple states that correspond to different levels in response to the control input;
• and during a period in which the multi-level DAC element operates in a “0” state of the multiple states, the first switch circuit is arranged to couple at least one of the first reference circuit and the second reference circuit to the output port of the multi-level DAC element.