HIGH OUTPUT POWER DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER SYSTEM

摘要

The present disclosure discloses a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) design which is suitable for providing a high output power high-speed DAC, e.g., in radio frequency applications. The DAC design utilizes a parallel DAC structure, e.g., having 8 parallel DACs and an aggregate current output, to provide a high and programmable current output (in some implementations, up to 512 mA or more). The parallel DAC structure alleviates the design problems which exist in trying to output a high amount of current using a single DAC. The DAC design further utilizes a hybrid structure which integrates the signal chain for a more reliable system. In some embodiments, the hybrid structure uses a CMOS process for the current sources and switches and a GaAs cascode stage for combining the outputs to optimally leverage the advantages of both technologies. The result is a highly efficient DAC (with peak output power programmable up to 29 dBm or more).

主权项

1. A digital to analog converter (DAC) system, the DAC comprising:
M parallel DAC cores, wherein each parallel DAC core converts a digital input signal to an analog output signal, wherein M is equal to or greater than 2; and a cascode stage connected to the outputs of the M parallel DAC cores for combining the outputs of the M parallel DAC cores to provide an aggregate analog output.