Precision bipolar current-mode digital-to-analog converter
First Claim
1. A precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting digital data to a bipolar analog signal, comprising:
- digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to digital input data, a first analog current signal having a first potential set by a voltage source external to the DAC, and a second analog current signal having a second potential;
subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point; and
first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A precision bipolar digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that provides a bipolar current output having a substantially fixed zero center point is provided. The DAC includes digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to a reference signal indicative of the digital data, a first analog current signal having a first potential and a second analog current signal having a second potential, subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point, and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting digital data to a bipolar analog signal, comprising:
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digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to digital input data, a first analog current signal having a first potential set by a voltage source external to the DAC, and a second analog current signal having a second potential; subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point; and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting digital data to a bipolar analog signal, comprising:
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digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to digital input data, a first analog current signal having a first potential and a second analog current signal having a second potential; subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point; and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential; wherein the DAC is configured to provide the bipolar current signal having the zero center point without calibration or trimming.
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16. A precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting digital data to a bipolar analog signal, comprising:
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digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to digital input data, a first analog current signal having a first potential and a second analog current signal having a second potential, at least one of the first and second analog current signals substantially maintained at a ground potential; subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point; and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting digital data to a bipolar analog signal, comprising:
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digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to digital input data, a first analog current signal having a first potential and a second analog current signal having a second potential; subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point; and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, the first control circuitry including a servo circuit network coupled to a common note input of the subtractor circuitry, the servo circuit network configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting digital data to a bipolar analog signal, comprising:
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digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to digital input data, a first analog current signal having a first potential and a second analog current signal having a second potential, the first and second analog current signals being complementary; subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point; and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential.
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21. A precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting digital data to a bipolar analog signal, comprising:
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digital-to-analog converter circuitry including one or more R-2R circuit networks, string digital-to-analog converters, or binary weighted current steered digital-to-analog converters, the digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to digital input data, a first analog current signal having a first potential and a second analog current signal having a second potential; subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point; and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential.
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22. A precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting digital data to a bipolar analog signal, comprising:
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digital-to-analog converter circuitry including a plurality of resistors and a plurality of capacitors in a precision resistor network, the digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to digital input data, a first analog current signal having a first potential and a second analog current signal having a second potential; subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point; and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential.
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23. A precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting digital data to a bipolar analog signal, comprising:
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digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to digital input data, a first analog current signal having a first potential that tracks a zero reference potential from a voltage source external to the DAC, and a second analog current signal having a second potential; subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point; and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential.
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24. A precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting digital data to a bipolar analog signal, comprising:
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digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to digital input data, a first analog current signal having a first potential held at the zero reference potential from a voltage source external to the DAC, and a second analog current signal having a second potential; subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point; and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential.
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25. A point-of-care diagnostic device comprising:
a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting digital data to a bipolar analog signal, comprising; digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to digital input data, a first analog current signal having a first potential and a second analog current signal having a second potential; subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point; and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential.
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26. A precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting digital data to a bipolar analog signal, comprising:
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digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to digital input data, a first analog current signal having a first potential and a second analog current signal having a second potential; subtractor circuitry including a current mirror network configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point; and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential.
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27. A diagnostic system for performing electrochemical detection of a target analyte, the system comprising:
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a precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting digital data to a bipolar analog signal, comprising; digital-to-analog converter circuitry configured to provide, responsive to digital input data, a first analog current signal having a first potential and a second analog current signal having a second potential; subtractor circuitry configured to provide a bipolar current signal by subtracting the second analog current signal from the first analog current signal, the bipolar current signal having a zero center point; and first control circuitry electrically coupled to the subtractor circuitry and to the digital-to-analog converter circuitry, and configured to modify the second potential so that the second potential equals the first potential; processor circuitry configured to receive the digital data, and to provide a digital setpoint value indicative of a reference signal to be applied to a counter electrode in electrical contact with the target analyte, wherein the binary analog signal of the DAC is indicative of the digital setpoint value; and servoing loop circuitry configured to receive the binary analog signal and to apply, in response to the binary analog signal, a potential to the counter electrode.
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Specification