Asymmetrical current steering output driver with compact dimensions

An integrated circuit including a current output circuit having first and second output nodes connectable to a load, said output circuit comprising:

• a plurality of current drivers;
• and
• a plurality of current switches, each said current switch associated with a respective current driver for connecting the output of the respective current driver to at least one output node, each said current switch comprising first and second switches forming a first switch pair having a particular resistance when conducting, and third and fourth switches forming a second switch pair having substantially said particular resistance when conducting;
• each said current switch having at least three states, wherein
• in the first state, said first switch pairs being closed and said second switch pairs being open to connect the respective current driver of the current switch to said output nodes, whereby current flows from said first output node through the load, when connected, and into said second output node;
• in the second state, said first switch pairs being open and said second switch pairs being closed to connect the respective current driver of the current switch to said output nodes, whereby current flows from said second output node through the load, when connected, and into said first output node;
• and
• in the third state, both said first and second switch pairs being closed to thereby introduce a resistance in parallel with said load, when connected, the net current through said connected load from said respective current driver being substantially zero.