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:
Apr. 29, 2003
Filed:
May. 02, 2001
Michael James Brownlow, Oxford, GB;
Graham Andrew Cairns, Oxford, GB;
Catherine Rosinda Marie Armida Dachs, Oxon, GB;
Hidehiko Yamashita, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Yasushi Kubota, Sakurai, JP;
Hajime Washio, Tenri, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A digital-to-analog converter includes a first converter stage for converting the m most significant bits of a k bit input signal to upper and lower voltage limits VL and VH by selecting the appropriate low impedance reference voltages. A second converter stage performs a linear conversion of the n least significant bits of the k bit input within the voltage range defined by the voltage limits VL and VH. A precharging circuit including switches SW and SW disconnects the stage from the load C , which is charged to the voltage limit VL during the precharge phase. The load is subsequently disconnected from the voltage limit VL and connected to the output of the stage to complete charging of the load C to the converter output voltage.