Hybrid binary/thermometer code for controlled-voltage integrated circuit output drivers
US7400272B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/0005
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hybrid binary/thermometer code is employed to adjust the output impedance of a variable impedance output driver circuit having an impedance network comprising a plurality of impedance legs each programmably electrically connectable according to the hybrid binary/thermometer code in parallel between a voltage source and the signal pad. The plurality of impedance legs are partitioned into one or more set pairs of binary stepped impedance legs and corresponding thermometer stepped impedance legs. A binary set of calibration signals in the hybrid binary/thermometer code steps a given set of binary stepped impedance legs according to a binary code and a thermometer set of calibration signals in the hybrid binary/thermometer code steps the corresponding set of thermometer stepped impedance legs according to a thermometer code once per full count iteration of the binary set of calibration signals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.