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US 6,552,519 B1Granted
Variable impedance network for an integrated circuit
AssigneeWinbond Electronics Corp.
InventorHagop A. Nazarian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable impedance network for the use in building potentiometers and digital-to-analog converters (DAC) is disclosed. The impedance network is constructed such that it reduces the overhead circuits associated with it compared to conventional approach. The percent reduction of overhead circuitry including the wiper transistors increases exponentially as the number of the taps required for the potentiometer increases.
Claims20
A resistance network comprising:
- a first set of series-connected branches situated between first and second terminals, wherein said branches respectively comprises a first set of resistive elements connected in series with a first set of switching elements;
- a second set of series-connected branches situated between said first and second terminals, wherein said branches respectively comprises a second set of resistive elements, and wherein said second set of series-connected branches are respectively connected in parallel with said first set of series-connected branches;
- and
- a second set of switching elements connected between a third terminal and respectively to a set of nodes common to said first and second sets of series-connected branches.
1 more element
An impedance network comprising:
- a first set of series-connected branches situated between first and second terminals, wherein said branches respectively comprises a first set of impedance elements connected in series with a first set of switching elements;
- a second set of series-connected branches situated between said first and second terminals, wherein said branches respectively comprises a second set of impedance elements, and wherein said second set of series-connected branches are respectively connected in parallel with said first set of series-connected branches;
- and
- a second set of switching elements connected between a third terminal and respectively to a set of nodes common to said first and second sets of series-connected branches.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- providing a first set of series-connected branches situated between first and second terminals, wherein said branches respectively comprises a first set of impedance elements connected in series with a first set of switching elements;
- providing a second set of series-connected branches situated between said first and second terminals, wherein said branches respectively comprises a second set of impedance elements, and wherein said second set of series-connected branches are respectively connected in parallel with said first set of series-connected branches;
- providing a second set of switching elements connected between a third terminal and respectively to a set of nodes common to said first and second sets of series-connected branches;
- and
- forming a first desired resistance between said first terminal and said third terminal by activating a first combination of switching elements of said first set of switching elements, and activating a second combination of switching elements of said second set of switching elements.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.