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. 25, 2008
Filed:
Nov. 14, 2005
Pierangelo Confalonieri, Caponago, IT;
Germano Nicollini, Piacenza, IT;
Riccardo Martignone, Carnate, IT;
Pierangelo Confalonieri, Caponago, IT;
Germano Nicollini, Piacenza, IT;
Riccardo Martignone, Carnate, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate, Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A digital-to-analog converter includes a first section (MSB) that converts the more significant bits of a digital code into a first voltage (Vin) of a multiplicity of discrete voltages that are integral multiples of a predetermined first voltage step (ΔV). A second section (LSB) of the converter converts the less significant bits of the digital code into a current. The current is transformed into a second voltage of a multiplicity of discrete voltages that are integral multiples of a second voltage step (ΔV) equal to ½ L of the product of the first voltage step (ΔV) multiplied by a predetermined coefficient, where L is the number of the less significant bits of the digital code to be converted. A summer generates an output voltage (Vout) that is the sum of the second voltage and the product of the first voltage multiplied by the predetermined coefficient. With a view to obtaining a low consumption, the summer has a resistive feedback circuit including a voltage divider (R, R). A conversion resistor (R) that forms part of the voltage divider transforms the current into the second voltage.