Current steering DAC
AssigneePanasonic Corporation
InventorsMichiko Tokumaru, Heiji Ikoma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a multi-channel current steering DA converter, e.g., a two-channel current steering DA converter, reference current sources Irefa and Irefb that can serve as current mirror sources for current sources Ia and Ib are provided in current source matrices 2a and 2b of the channels, respectively. During an operation, the reference current source Irefa or Irefb that is provided in the current source matrix of a channel that is not powered down is selected and used in accordance with control signals 6a and 6b. Therefore, even when one channel is powered down, the full-scale current of the other channel can be maintained at a constant value, i.e., unchanged.
Claims20
A multi-channel current steering DA converter comprising a plurality of channels each including a one-channel current steering DA unit having a current source array, wherein
- the converter has a bias circuit connected to the plurality of one-channel DA units,
- a reference current source for determining a current value of a plurality of current sources included in the current source array of a channel is provided in the current source array of each of two or more of the plurality of channels, and
- one of the two or more reference current sources provided is selectable in accordance with a control signal.
A multi-channel current steering DA converter comprising a plurality of channels each including a one-channel current steering DA unit having a current source array, wherein
- the converter has a bias circuit connected to the plurality of one-channel DA units,
- a reference current source for determining a current value of a plurality of current sources included in the current source array of a channel is provided in the current source array of each of two or more of the plurality of channels, and
- predetermined two or more of the two or more reference current sources provided are selectable in accordance with a control signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.