Low noise digital to analog converter with audio applications
AssigneeESS Technology, Inc.
InventorsDustin D. Forman, A. Martin Mallinson, Simon Damphousse
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to multi-bit to pulse width modulated signal conversion, with extensions to digital-to-analog conversion. In particular, it has application to conversion of pulse code modulated signals, such as used in CDs and DVDs, to audio output.
Claims15
A method of converting a multi-bit digital input signal into output signals from a plurality of single-bit digital-to-analog (D/A) converters using head and tail indicators, a difference between the indicators representing a value of the input signal, the head and tail indicators designating ordinal positions in an ordered set having at least as many elements as there are allowable discrete values of the input signal, the method including:
- calculating a difference in value between successive input signals;
- responsive to the difference, updating at least one of the head indicator, the tail indicator, or the difference between head and tail indicators;
- each of the D/A converters being associated with respective set elements, periodically shifting the association of the D/A converters with the respective set elements;
- and
- generating output signals from the plurality of D/A converters, a particular output signal responsive to a containment relationship between the head and tail indicators and the respective set element.
A method of converting a multi-bit input signal into an output signal having as many positions as there are allowable discrete values of the multi-bit input signal, using head and tail indicators, a difference between the indicators representing a value of the input signal, the head and tail indicators designating ordinal positions in an ordered set having at least as many elements as there are allowable discrete values of the input signal, the method including:
- calculating a difference in value between successive input signals;
- responsive to the difference, updating at least one of the head indicator, the tail indicator, or the difference between head and tail indicators;
- the positions in the output signal being associated with respective set elements, periodically shifting the association of the positions with the respective set elements;
- and
- generating the output signal, positions in the output signal responsive to a containment relationship between the head and tail indicators and the respective set elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.