Circuit arrangement for a memory cell of a D/A converter

US6005792A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• U.S. Philips Corporation · US

Inventors

• Jurgen Kordts · Wedel, DE
• Friedrich Hahn · Hamburg, DE
• Peter Rolla · Hamburg, DE
• Ralf Beier · Dublin, IE
• Axel Nathe · Hamburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 11, 1997
• Grant date: Dec 21, 1999
• Expiry date: Dec 11, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H03M1/742
• WIPO field: Basic communication processes
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The binary values of the data word to be converted in a widely used type of D/A converter are supplied to a series of stages in which binarily stepped currents are supplied to a common output or derived therefrom, or are conducted to a second common output. To control the current switch, each stage comprises a flipflop in which the binary value to be converted is stored. Integration processes are often used in the integration of analog circuits by means of which digital circuit components cannot be usefully realized, for example, in the IIL technology. In the flipflop comprising cross-coupled transistors, the emitters are connected to a reference voltage which lies between ground potential and the supply voltage so as to obtain a favorable conversion of the digital signals for triggering the current switch. This renders it possible to connect the collectors of the transistors of the flipflop directly to the bases of the current switch. In addition, the control of the flipflop is simplified thereby, and the delay time is shortened.