The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 19, 1986
Filed:
Jul. 25, 1983
Alexander T Botka, Underhill, VT (US);
Evan Colton, Lynnfield, MA (US);
Analogic Corporation, Wakefield, MA (US);
Abstract
A D/A converter for converting a digital signal having a number of bits to an analog signal. The converter is fabricated in an integrated circuit digital array including a register for storing the particular number of bits, a buffer circuit for receiving those bits from the register, and an analog current switching network. The analog current switching network includes a number of current switching circuits, each of which provides the proper current output in response to the delivery of an associated bit from the buffer circuit. Each current switching circuit includes an emitter coupled switch circuit having two pluralities of parallel connected transistor cells with the bases of one of the plurality of transistor cells connected with the buffer circuit and the bases of the other of the plurality of transistor cells connected with the current switching circuit. The current switching circuit includes a first transistor cell with its emitter connected to the base of the other of the plurality of transistor cells in the emitter coupled switch circuit. A voltage summing network responsive to the current output from the analog current switching network provides voltages representative of the bit presented by the associated buffer circuit.