Method for dynamic matching of the elements of an integrated multibit digital-to-analog converter with balanced output for audio applications

A method for digital-to-analog conversion of a digital input code into first and second analog output signals to be supplied to a first and second terminal of a load, respectively, the method performed by a digital-to-analog converter with an N-level balanced output, the converter including N/2 positive and negative generator elements configured to supply positive and negative currents, the positive currents nominally equal to one another and the negative currents nominally equal to one another, and, in absolute value, the positive and negative currents equal to each other, the digital-to-analog converter having the same progressive addresses attributed to the positive and negative generator elements and further defining a first index for positive input codes and a second index for negative input codes;

• the method comprising:
• receiving an input code at the input of the digital-to-analog converter;
• selecting between the first index and the second index, the index selected corresponding to the sign of the input code;
• in response to the input code, activating a first set of the positive generator elements and a second set of the negative generator elements, the number of negative and positive generator elements activated being equal to one another, the addresses of the positive and negative generator elements determined as a function of the selected index;
• generating the first output analog signal as a function of the activated positive currents supplied by the activated first set of positive generator elements and the second output analog signal generated as a function of the negative current supplied by the activated second set of negative generator elements;
• and
• updating the selected index according to the input code.

A method for digital-to-analog conversion of a digital input code into first and second analog output signals to be supplied to a first and second terminal of a load, respectively, the method performed by a digital-to-analog converter with an N-level balanced output, the converter including N/2 positive and negative generator elements configured to supply positive and negative currents, the positive currents nominally equal to one another and the negative currents nominally equal to one another, and, in absolute value, the positive and negative currents equal to each other, the converter having the same progressive addresses attributed to the positive and negative generator elements and further defining a first index for positive input codes and a second index for negative input codes;

• the method comprising:
• receiving an input code at the input of the digital-to-analog converter;
• selecting between the first index and a second index, the index selected corresponding to the sign of the input code;
• in response to the input code, activating a first set of positive generator elements and a second set of negative generator elements, the number of negative and positive generator elements activated being equal to one another, the addresses of the activated positive and negative generator elements determined as a function of the selected index;
• generating the first output analog signal as a function of the positive currents supplied by the activated first set of positive generator elements and the second output analog signal generated as a function of the negative current supplied by the activated second set of negative generator elements activated;
• updating the selected index according to the input code;
• and
• supplying the first output signal and the second output signal to a first terminal and a second terminal of a load according to the sign of the input code.

A method for digital-to-analog conversion of a digital input code into first and second analog output signals to be supplied to a first and second terminal of a load, respectively, the method performed by a digital-to-analog converter having an N-level balanced output, the converter including N/2 positive generator elements and N/2 negative generator elements configured to supply positive and negative currents, the positive currents nominally equal to one another and the negative currents nominally equal to one another, and, in absolute value, the positive and negative currents equal to each other, the converter having the same progressive addresses attributed to the positive and negative generator elements and further defining a first index for positive input codes and a second index for negative input codes;

• the method comprising:
• receiving an input code at the input of the digital-to-analog converter;
• selecting between the first index and the second index, the index selected corresponding to the sign of the input code;
• in response to the input code, activating a first set of positive generator elements and a second set of negative generator elements, the number of negative and positive generator elements activated being equal to one another, the addresses of the activated positive and negative generator elements determined as a function of the selected index;
• generating the first output analog signal as a function of the positive currents supplied by the activated first set of positive generator elements and the second output analog signal generated as a function of the negative current supplied by the activated second set of negative generator elements;
• updating the selected index according to the input code;
• and
• supplying the first output signal and the second output signal to a first terminal and a second terminal of a load according to the sign of the input code, further comprising:
• when the sign of the input code is positive, applying the first output signal to the first terminal of the load and the second output signal to the second terminal of the load;
• and
• when the sign of the input code is negative, applying the first output signal to the second terminal of the load and the second output signal to the first terminal of the load.

A method for digital-to-analog conversion in a digital-to-analog converter having an N-level balanced output, the converter including N/2 positive generator elements and N/2 negative generator elements configured to supply positive and negative currents, respectively, the method comprising:

• receiving an input code on an input of the digital-to-analog converter;
• selecting between a first index and a second index associated with positive input codes and negative input codes, respectively, the selected index corresponding to the sign of the received input code;
• in response to the selected index, activating a first set of positive generator elements and a second set of negative generator elements, the number of positive and negative generator elements activated being equal to one another, the addresses of the activated positive and negative generator elements determined as a function of the selected index;
• generating the first output analog signal as a function of the positive currents supplied by the activated first set of positive generator elements and generating the second output analog signal as a function of the negative currents supplied by the activated second set of negative generator elements;
• and
• updating the selected index according to the input code.