Digital potentiometer including plural bulk impedance devices

Details Digital potentiometer including plural bulk impedance devices Digital potentiometer including plural bulk impedance devices

2008-03-18

2008-03-18

Jeanglaude, Jean B. (Department: 2819)

Coded data generation or conversion

Analog to or from digital conversion

Digital to analog conversion

C341S154000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07345611

ABSTRACT:
Embodiments of a digital potentiometer are disclosed that require lesser numbers of components than conventional digital potentiometers. A first string of elemental impedance devices, and at least one bulk impedance device, are provided between first and second reference terminals. The first string of elemental impedance devices is tapped by wiper switches. The at least one bulk impedance device has an impedance greater than an impedance of the first string. If desired, second and third bypassable impedance device strings also may be provided between the first and second reference terminals, with the impedance of the respective second and third strings being between the impedance of the first string and the impedance of one bulk impedance device. One or more dummy structures each including an impedance device in parallel with a permanently-on switch also may be between the first and second reference terminals to improve linearity.

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