Digital to analog converter

Details Digital to analog converter Digital to analog converter

1975-09-29

1977-08-30

Miller, Charles D.

Communications: electrical

Audible indication

Percussion-type sound producer

H03K 1304

Patent

active

040457931

ABSTRACT:
An MOS digital to analog converter on a semiconductor chip includes N digital inputs and a single analog output. The digital inputs control circuitry which switches in various combinations of 2.sup.0 +2.sup.1 +...2.sup.N-1 IGFETs with substantially similar voltage current characteristics coupled between a voltage supply conductor and an analog current output conductor. The IGFETs are arranged in N groups, each group being controlled, respectively, by one of the digital inputs. The number of IGFETs in each group is given by the expression 2.sup.n-1 where 1.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.N. A control circuit including a plurality of substantially identical diode-connected IGFETs is coupled between a constant current source and the voltage supply conductor. The voltage supply conductor provides a voltage which is gated by means of switching circuitry controlled by the digital inputs to the gate electrodes, respectively, of each of the groups of IGFETs. This circuit controls the ratio between the analog output current and the current of the current source, and also assures that each of the IGFETs connected to the analog output conductor operates in the saturation portion of its current-voltage characteristic.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3643253 (1972-02-01), Blank
patent: 3646587 (1972-02-01), Shaffstall
patent: 3747088 (1973-07-01), Pastoriza
patent: 3836906 (1974-09-01), Ando

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