Patent ID: 7372387
Filing Date: 2008-05-13
Classification: H03M

Abstract:
1. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) comprising: a first resistor/switch network comprising a first linear sequence of resistors and a first sequence of switches, with each switch in the first sequence of switches having a first terminal coupled to a first terminal of a resistor in the first linear sequence of resistors; a second resistor/switch network comprising a second linear sequence of resistors and a second sequence of switches, with a first end of the second linear sequence of resistors coupled to a first switching network and a second end of the second linear sequence of resistors coupled to the second switching network, wherein the resistors in the second linear sequence of resistors are transistors operating in a triode region; and a third switching network coupled to the first linear sequence of switches, the third switching network configured to selectively couple a switch in the first linear sequence of switches to an output of the DAC, wherein the state of the switches in the third switching network is determined based upon the values of a first portion of binary digits from the binary number being converted; wherein the first switching network comprises a plurality of first switches coupled to the first resistor/switch network, each first switch in the first switching network coupled to a second terminal of an odd numbered switch in the first sequence of switches, wherein the state of the first switches in the first switching network is determined based upon the values of a second portion of binary digits from a binary number being converted; and wherein the second switching network comprises a plurality of second switches coupled to the first resistor/switch network, each second switch in the second switching network coupled to a second terminal of an even numbered switch in the first sequence of switches, wherein the state of the switches in the second switching network is determined based upon the values of the second portion of binary digits.