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:
Mar. 12, 2002
Filed:
May. 04, 2000
Stephen J. Pratt, Cumming, GA (US);
Matsushita Mobile Communication Development Corporation of USA, Suwanee, GA (US);
Abstract
A circuit for increasing the precision of an N-bit digital-to-analog converter. The N-bit digital-to-analog converter includes a digital signal input and an analog signal output. The analog signal output connects to the analog signal input of a translating circuit. The translating circuit includes an analog signal output and a bias enable input. The N-bit digital-to-analog converter receives an N-bit digital signal and converts it into a first analog output signal having 2 possible values over a first voltage range. When the enable input is in an enabled state, the translating circuit translates the first analog output signal into a second analog voltage having 2 possible values over a second voltage range, the second voltage range having a smaller maximum value than maximum value of the first voltage range. When the enable input is in a disabled state, the translating circuit translates the first analog output signal into the second analog voltage having 2 possible values over a third voltage range, the third voltage range having a larger minimum value than the minimum value of the first voltage range. As a result, the full precision range of the N-bit digital-to-analog converter is applied to two voltage ranges within the original voltage range of the N-bit digital-to-analog converter. Thus, the precision of the N-bit digital-to-analog converter is increased.