Digital-to-analog converter with switching elements controlled by a microcontroller
First Claim
1. Apparatus comprising:
- a digital-to-analog converter comprising;
a resistor having a resistance R;
a capacitor having a capacitance C;
a first switching element which couples the capacitor to a first rail via a path having a resistance less than R in response to a first control signal;
a second switching element which couples the capacitor to the first voltage rail through the resistor in response to a second control signal;
a third switching element which couples the capacitor to a second rail via a path having a resistance less than R in response to a third control signal, anda fourth switching element which couples the capacitor to the second rail through the resistor in response to a fourth control signal;
and a microcontroller which provides and/or causes generation of the control signals to generate an analog output signal based on a digital input signal,wherein a control signal is applied for a duration less than RC.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is described. The DAC comprises a resistor having a resistance R and a capacitor having a capacitance C. The DAC comprises a first switching element configured, in response to a first control signal, to couple the capacitor to a first rail via a path having a resistance less than R and a second switching element configured, in response to a second control signal, to couple the capacitor to the first rail through the resistor. The DAC also comprises a third switching element configured, in response to a third control signal, to couple the capacitor to a second rail (8) via a path having a resistance less than R and a fourth switching element configured, in response to a responsive to a fourth control signal, to couple the capacitor to the second through the resistor. The capacitor can be quickly charged or discharged over a period less than RC or less than 0.7 RC. The DAC may comprise a first control element configured to switch on the second switching element before switching on the first switching element and a second control element configured to switch on the fourth switching element before switching on the third switching element.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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a digital-to-analog converter comprising; a resistor having a resistance R; a capacitor having a capacitance C; a first switching element which couples the capacitor to a first rail via a path having a resistance less than R in response to a first control signal; a second switching element which couples the capacitor to the first voltage rail through the resistor in response to a second control signal; a third switching element which couples the capacitor to a second rail via a path having a resistance less than R in response to a third control signal, and a fourth switching element which couples the capacitor to the second rail through the resistor in response to a fourth control signal; and a microcontroller which provides and/or causes generation of the control signals to generate an analog output signal based on a digital input signal, wherein a control signal is applied for a duration less than RC. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of controlling an apparatus, the apparatus comprising a resistor having a resistance R, a capacitor having a capacitance C and at least one switching element which couples the capacitor to a voltage rail through the resistor in response to a control signal, and a microcontroller which provides and/or causes generation of the control signal, the method comprising:
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applying the control signal for a duration less than RC, when the capacitor is in a discharged state, initially charging the capacitor through the resistor for a given time period and then charging the capacitor via a path having a resistance less than R, and when the capacitor is in charged state, initially discharging the capacitor through the resistor for a given time period and then discharging the capacitor via a path having a resistance less than R.
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22. A method of controlling an apparatus, the apparatus comprising a first switching element which couples the capacitor to a first rail via a path having a resistance less than R in response to a first control signal, a second switching element which couples the capacitor to the first voltage rail through the resistor in response to a second control signal, a third switching element which couples the capacitor to a second rail via a path having a resistance less than R in response to a third control signal, and a fourth switching element which couples the capacitor to the second rail through the resistor in response to a fourth control signal, and a microcontroller which provides and/or causes generation of the control signal, wherein the method comprises:
applying the first, second, third or fourth control signal for a duration less than RC.
Specification