Utilizing current memory property in current steering digital-to-analog converters

• Main Authors: NGUYEN KHIEM QUANG, PHAM LONG
• Format: Patent
• Language: Chinese; English
• Published: 06.08.2021
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY; CODE CONVERSION IN GENERAL; CODING; DECODING; ELECTRICITY

The present invention relates to utilizing current memory property in current steering digital-to-analog converters. Improved switching techniques for controlling three-level current steering DAC cells are disclosed. The techniques include decoupling two current sources, implemented as field-effect transistors (FETs), of a DAC cell both from their respective bias sources and from a load for converting a zero digital input, wherein the decoupling is performed in a certain order. The techniques also include coupling the current sources to their respective bias sources and to the load for converting a non-zero digital input, where the coupling is also performed in a certain order. The certain order of decoupling and coupling the bias sources and the load to the current sources of a DAC cell are based on the phenomenon of current memory in FETs. Utilizing the current memory when operating the DAC cell may allows to reduce power consumption while preserving the high performance properties of a three-level current