Patent · US Expired

Trimming control circuit for a digital to analog converter

US4131884A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
3References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 14, 1977
Grant dateDec 26, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 14, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03M1/662
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Novel apparatus is described for controlling the application of circuit adjustment signals to an electrical circuit device. The same device leads are used in an operating mode with input signals in a first range, and in an adjustment mode with input signals in a second range, the two ranges being mutually exclusive. An exemplary embodiment is directed toward trimming a digital to analog converter. A plurality of trimming elements are provided with an equal number of two-terminal actuating devices, which are arranged in a matrix such that each pair of terminals is connected in circuit with a unique pair of input leads. The devices actuate their associated trimming elements in response to the application of actuating signals, exceeding a threshold level greater than the level of the binary input signals, to their respective lead pairs. The leads are thereby capable of a dual mode operation, with one mode for normal converter operation and the other mode for setting up desired trim circuits.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.