Patent ID: 7489262

Claim:
A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) comprising: a first set of terminals for receiving first digital signals operating in a first predefined voltage range; an output terminal for outputting analog signals operating across a second predefined voltage range, the second predefined voltage range being substantially wider than the first predefined voltage range; one or more decoder stages operating in the first predefined voltage range and configured to decode the first digital signals and produce therefrom second digital signals operating in the first predefined voltage range; a plurality of first voltage boost circuits coupled to the one or more decoder stages so as to convert the second digital signals into corresponding third digital signals operating in a third predefined voltage range, the third predefined voltage range being substantially wider than the first predefined voltage range, wherein the first voltage boost circuits do not receive a power input voltage of a magnitude greater than a highest voltage in said first predefined voltage range; and a plurality of switching elements operatively coupled to the output terminal and configured to switch states in response to the third digital signals produced by the first voltage boost circuits.