R-2r Type D/a Converter Circuit

The present invention relates to an R-2R type D/A converter circuit which is used commonly in two different circuits, in a time-sequential manner, and is suitable as an analog signal source for these two circuits.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional R-2R type D/A converter circuit of n-bit construction.

In this Figure, digital input terminals 11.sub.0 to 11.sub.n-1, which receive sequentially weighted n-bit digital signals D.sub.0 to D.sub.n-1, are connected to first ends of resistors 2R.sub.0 to 2R.sub.n-1. Resistors R.sub.0 to R.sub.n-2 are connected between second ends of resistors 2R.sub.0 to 2R.sub.n-1. Resistor 2R is connected between a junction of resistors 2R0 and R0 and the ground. Analog signal Aout, which corresponds to digital signals D.sub.0 to D.sub.n-1, is output from a junction of resistors 2R.sub.n-1 and R.sub.n-2. The resistance value of each of resistors 2R and 2R.sub.0 to 2R.sub.n-1 is twice that of each of resistors R.sub.0 to R.sub.n-2.

The D/A converter as shown in FIG. 1 is combined with two analog circuits, as shown in FIG. 2, in which an output signal of the D/A converter is selectively supplied to the two analog circuits. An input terminal of D/A converter circuit 12 receives n-bit digital signals D.sub.0 to D.sub.n-. An output terminal of D/A converter circuit 12 is connected to first ends of first and second switches (e.g., analog switches) 13.sub.1 and 13.sub.2. The second ends of switches 13.sub.1 and 13.sub.2 are connected to input terminals of first and second analog circuits 14.sub.1 and 14.sub.2. Switches 13.sub.1 and 13.sub.2 are turned on/off by complementary logic level signals 1 and 2, so that output signal A.sub.out of D/A converter circuit 12 is fed selectively to analog circuit 14.sub.1 or to analog circuit 14.sub.2. Switches 13.sub.1 and 13.sub.2 are employed in order to eliminate the following problem:

In the case where, for example, the input impedance of analog circuit 14.sub.1 is higher than the output impedance of D/A converter circuit 12, while the input impedance of analog circuit 14.sub.2 is lower than the output impedance of D/A converter circuit 12, if the output terminal of D/A converter circuit 12 is connected directly to the input terminals of analog circuits 14.sub.1 and 14.sub.2, output signal A.sub.out of D/A converter circuit 12 is adversely affected by analog circuit 14.sub.2. Namely, by electrically separating the input terminals of analog circuits 14.sub.1 and 14.sub.2 by using switches 13.sub.1 and 13.sub.2, output signal A.sub.out of D/A converter circuit 12 is protected against the influence of analog circuit 14.sub.2.

The level of analog signal A.sub.out, however, varies in accordance with the digital input. Thus, if each switch 13.sub.1, 13.sub.2 is constituted by a transfer gate in which P-channel type MOS transistor and N-channel type MOS transistor are connected in parallel, the impedance of each MOS transistor is varied by a backgate bias effect, so that analog signal A.sub.out output from D/A converter circuit 12 is adversely affected.

Alternatively, a multiplexer is used to select one of the two analog circuits. Since, however, a multiplexer is generally constituted by an active element, the input impedance is varied non-linearly, in accordance with a voltage applied to the multiplexer. Therefore, the analog signal fed from the D/A converter circuit is also adversely affected.

As stated above, in the case where an output signal of a conventional R-2R type D/A converter circuit is supplied to two analog circuits, in a time-sequential manner, then a switch or multiplexer must be provided in an analog signal line. The presence of this switch or multiplexer, however, adversely affect an output analog signal of the analog circuit system.

The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an R-2R type D/A converter which can supply a D/A converted output to two different analog circuits, in a time-sequential manner, without adversely affecting an output analog signal.

An R-2R type D/A converter circuit according to the present invention comprises an R-2R type ladder resistor circuit which receives a digital signal; a first series circuit, connected between one terminal of the ladder resistor circuit and the ground, and provided with a first resistor and a first switch which are series-connected; a second series circuit, connected between the other terminal of the ladder resistor circuit and the ground, and provided with a second resistor and a second switch which are series-connected, and signal means for selectively turning on and off the first and second switches, and obtaining an analog output signal from one of the terminals of the ladder resistor circuit, which is located on the side where one of the first and second switches is turned off.

In order to achieve the above object, the R-2R type D/A converter circuit is provided with first and second series circuits each comprising a resistor and a switch. The first series circuit is connected between one end of a ladder resistor circuit and the ground. The second series circuit is connected between the other end of the ladder resistor circuit and the ground. The switches in the first and second series circuits are selectively turned on/off, so that an output signal may be supplied in either direction.

First and second analog circuits are connected one to each output terminal of the R-2R type D/A converter circuit. By turning on/off the switches of the first and second series circuits, a D/A converted output signal may be supplied selectively to the first or second analog circuit. Since the switches of the first and second series circuits are not located in the analog signal line, the D/A converted output signal can be supplied selectively to the two analog circuits, in a time-sequential manner, without adversely affecting an analog output signal of the R-2R type D/A converter circuit.

FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of a conventional R-2R type D/A converter circuit;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the D/A converter circuit of FIG. 1, which supplies an analog signal to two different analog circuits in a time-sequential manner;

FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration of an R-2R type D/A converter circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration of an R-2R type D/A converter circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration of an analog signal comparison circuit including the D/A converter circuit of FIG. 3 or FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 shows a detailed circuit configuration of the comparison circuit of FIG. 5.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 show an R-2R type D/A converter of an n-bit construction, according to an embodiment of the invention. Resistors 2R.sub.0 to 2Rn-1 and Resistors R0 to Rn-2 constitute ladder resistor circuit 15. Digital input terminals 11.sub.0 to 11.sub.n-1, to which sequentially weighted n-bit digital signals D.sub.0 to D.sub.n-1 are supplied, are connected to first ends of resistors 2R.sub.0 to 2R.sub.n-1. Resistors R.sub.0 to R.sub.n-2 are connected between second ends of adjacent resistors 2R.sub.0 to 2R.sub.n-1. First series circuit 17.sub.1, including resistor 2Ra and switch (e.g., analog switch) 16.sub.1, is connected between a ground terminal and a junction of resistors R.sub.0 and 2R.sub.0 of ladder resistor circuit 15. Second series circuit 17.sub.2, including resistor 2Rb and switch (e.g., analog switch) 16.sub.2, is connected between a ground terminal and a junction of resistors R.sub.n-2 and 2R.sub.n-1 of ladder resistor group 15. Switches 16.sub.1 and 16.sub.2 are turned on/off by complementary logic level signals .phi.1 and .phi.2. The on/off states of switches 16.sub.1 and 16.sub.2 determine the direction of output signals. That is, D/A converted output signal A.sub.out1 or A.sub.out2, corresponding to input digital signals D.sub.0 to D.sub.n-1, is selectively fed to analog circuit 14.sub.1 or 14.sub.2 via the junction of resistors R.sub.n-2 and 2Rb or the junction of resistors R.sub.0 and 2Ra. Analog circuit 14.sub.1 is selected when signal .phi.1 is at "H" level and signal .phi.2 is at "L" level, and analog circuit 14.sub.2 is selected when signal .phi.1 is at "L" level and signal .phi.2 is at "H" level.

Suppose that signal .phi.1 is at "H" level and signal .phi.2 is at "L" level, and switch 16.sub.1 is turned on and switch 16.sub.2 is turned off. At this time, analog circuit 14.sub.1 is selected. Since switch 16.sub.2 is turned off, switch 16.sub.2 and resistor 2Rb does not adversely affect a D/A converted output signal of D/A converter 15. Accordingly, D/A converted output signal A.sub.out1, which is free from fluctuation due to the switch circuit, can be supplied to analog circuit 14.sub.1 from D/A converter 15.

Then, suppose that signal .phi.2 is at "H" level and signal .phi.1 is at "L" level, and switch 16.sub.2 is turned on and switch 16.sub.1 is turned off. At this time, analog circuit 14.sub.2 is selected. Since switch 16.sub.1 is turned off, switch 16.sub.1 and resistor 2Ra does not affect a D/A converted output signal of D/A converter 15. Thus, D/A converted output signal A.sub.out2, which is free from fluctuation due to the switch circuit, can be supplied to analog circuit 14.sub.2 from D/A converter 15.

Since switches 16.sub.1 and 16.sub.2 do not exist in an analog signal line, an impedance variation due to back-gate bias effect can be prevented even if the level of analog signal A.sub.out1 or A.sub.out2 varies. Accordingly, a variation in the switching impedance neither distorts an analog signal fed to analog circuit 14.sub.1 or 14.sub.2, nor changes the time constant.

In the above embodiment, switches 16.sub.1 and 16.sub.2 are connected between the ground terminal and resistors 2Ra and 2Rb, respectively However, it is possible to connect switch 16.sub.1 between resistor 2Ra and analog circuit 14.sub.2, and switch 16.sub.2 between resistor 2Rb and analog circuit 14.sub.1. In this case, if MOS transistors are used in switches 16.sub.1 and 16.sub.2, the impedance of the switch is increased by the back-gate bias effect. However, if a power supply voltage is sufficiently high, there is no problem.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In the circuit construction shown in FIG. 3, though a D/A converted output signal, which is free from distortion and time constant variation, can be fed to the selected analog circuit, an analog signal is undesirably fed to the non-selected analog circuit. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the level of the undesired analog signal is decreased, and a digital input signal can be supplied selectively from two circuits

In FIG. 4, the reference numerals in FIG. 3 are also used. Resistors 18.sub.1 to 18.sub.8 constitute an R-2R type resistor circuit which provides redundant bits for decreasing the level of an undesired analog signal fed from the non-selected circuit. Resistors 18.sub.1, 18.sub.2, 18.sub.5, and 18.sub.6 have the same resistance value as resistors R.sub.0 to R.sub.n-2, and resistors 18.sub.3, 18.sub.4, 18.sub.7, and 18.sub.8 have the same resistance value as resistors 2Ra, 2Rb, and 2R.sub.0 to 2R.sub.n-1. Resistors 18.sub.1 to 18.sub.4 constitute a two-stage ladder resistor circuit, and are connected between an output terminal of D/A converter 15 for outputting signal A.sub.out2 and switch circuit 17.sub.1. Also, resistors 18.sub.5 to 18.sub.8 constitute a two-stage ladder resistor circuit, and are connected between an output terminal of D/A converter 15 for outputting signal A.sub.out1 and switch circuit 17.sub.2. First ends of resistors 18.sub.3 and 18.sub.4 are connected to movable contacts 19a and 19b of switches 19 and 20. Fixed contacts 19b and 20b of switches 19 and 20 are connected to ground terminals, an other fixed contacts 19c and 20c are connected to data bus 25.

First ends of resistors 2R.sub.0 and 2R.sub.n-1 of ladder resistor group 15 are connected to movable contacts 21a and 22a of switches 21 and 22. Fixed contacts 21b and 22b of switches 21 and 22 are connected to data bus 26, and fixed contacts 21c and 22c are connected to data bus 25. Though not shown, switches are provided in the same manner for resistors 2R2 to 2R.sub.n-2. First ends of resistors 18.sub.7 and 18.sub.8 are connected to movable contacts 23a and 24a of switches 23 and 24. Fixed contacts 23b and 24b of switches 23 and 24 are connected to data bus 26, and fixed contacts 23c and 24c are connected to ground terminals.

When signal .phi.1 is at "H" level and signal .phi.2 is at "L" level, and switch 16.sub.1 is turned on and switch 16.sub.2 is turned off, movable contacts 19.sub.a to 24a of switches 19 to 24 are connected to fixed contacts 19b to 24b by control signals (not shown). On the other hand, when signal .phi.1 is at "L" level and signal .phi.2 is at "H" level, and switch 16.sub.1 is turned off and switch 16.sub.2 is turned on, movable contacts 19a to 24a of switches 19 to 24 are connected to fixed contacts 19c to 24i c by control signals (not shown).

The operation of the second embodiment will now be described.

Suppose that signal .phi.1 is at "H" level and signal .phi.2 is at "L" level, and switch 16.sub.1 is turned on and switch 16.sub.2 is turned off. In this case, movable contacts 19a to 24a of switches 19 to 24 are connected to fixed contacts 19b to 24b. Digital data fed from bus line 26 are D/A converted by the circuit including resistor circuit 15 and resistors 18.sub.1 to 18.sub.8. Since switch 16.sub.2 is turned off, the switch circuit does not adversely affect analog signal A.sub.out1. Accordingly, analog signal A.sub.out1, which is free from fluctuation, is supplied from D/A converter 15 to analog circuit 14.sub.1. Since the first ends of resistors 18.sub.3 and 18.sub.4 are connected to the ground terminal through switches 19 and 20, respectively, an undesired analog signal to be output to non-selected analog circuit 14.sub.2 is divided and decreased by resistors 18.sub.1 to 18.sub.4.

On the other hand, if signal .phi.2 is at "H" level and signal .phi.1 is at "L" level, and switch 16.sub.2 is turned on and switch 16.sub.1 is turned off, movable contacts 19a to 24a of switches 19 to 24 are connected to fixed contacts 19c to 24c. Digital data fed from bus line 25 are D/A converted by the circuit including resistor circuit 15 and resistors 18.sub.1 to 18.sub.8. In this case, since switch 16.sub.1 is turned off, the switch circuit does not adversely affect analog signal A.sub.out2. Accordingly, analog signal A.sub.out2, which is free from fluctuation, is supplied from D/A converter 15 to analog circuit 14.sub.2. Since the first ends of resistors 18.sub.7 and 18.sub.8 are connected to the ground terminal through switches 23 and 24, respectively, an undesired analog signal to be output to non-selected analog circuit 14.sub.1 is divided and decreased by resistors 18.sub.5 to 18.sub.8.

As stated above, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, a D/A converted output signal is supplied to the selected analog circuit, and an undesired analog signal to be fed to another analog circuit can be reduced. In addition, digital inputs can be fed from two circuits via data buses 25 and 26, selectively. Although, in the second embodiment, the redundant four bits formed by resistors 18.sub.1 to 18.sub.8 are provided, the number of redundant bits is not limited, and can be freely chosen. The larger the number of redundant bits, the greater the effect. However, the number of redundant bits should be suitably chosen in consideration of total characteristics (distortion, resolution) of the circuit.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a voice synthesizer using ADM (Adaptive Delta Modulation), to which the D/A converter shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is applied. In FIG. 5, analog voltage signal source 27, for example, a microphone, receives a voice signal, and supplies analog voltage signal Vin to amplifier 28. An output terminal of amplifier 28 is connected to one end of resistor 29. The other end of resistor 29 is connected to one output terminal OUT1 of D/A converter 30 and also to an inverting input terminal (-) of comparator 31. Resistance value of resistor 29 is selected to be equal to an impedance Z.sub.D/A of D/A converter 30 as viewed from output terminal OUT1 into the inside thereof. Analog voltage signal V.sub.N, which is determined by an estimated analog voltage signal fed from terminal OUT1 of D/A converter 30 and analog voltage signal Vin from amplifier 28, is supplied to the inverting input terminal (-) of comparator 31. D/A converter 30, which comprises an R-2R ladder-type resistor circuit, supplies the estimated output analog signal of the input analog signal Vin, from one of two output terminals, selectively, based on a control signal. Reference voltage Vref is applied to a non-inverting input terminal (+) of comparator 31. Comparator 31 compares analog voltage signal V.sub.N with the reference voltage Vref. The comparison data is fed to ADM (Adaptive Delta Modulation) circuit 32. ADM circuit 32 is supplied with an initial voltage signal SS used as an initially estimated analog voltage signal. A digital voltage signal of ADM circuit 32, which is representative of the result of the arithmetic operation, is fed to D/A converter 30. The other output terminal OUT2 of D/A converter 30 is connected to amplifier 33. Speaker 34 is connected to amplifier 33 as a load.

The operation of the comparator circuit of FIG. 5 will now be described. ADM circuit 32 is supplied with an initial voltage signal SS used as an initially estimated analog voltage signal. Input analog voltage signal Vin from analog voltage signal source 27 is amplified by amplifier 28. The amplified voltage signal is fed to node N through resistor 28 having a resistance value equal to the impedance of D/A converter 30 as viewed from output terminal OUT1. Node N also receives the estimated analog voltage signal from terminal OUT1 of D/A converter 30. Voltage V.sub.N at node N determined by input analog voltage signal Vin from amplifier 28 and the estimated analog voltage signal from terminal OUT1 of D/A converter 30. Voltage V.sub.N is applied to the inverting input terminal (-) of comparator 31. The non-inverting input terminal (+) of comparator 31 receives reference voltage Vref. Comparator 31 compares voltage V.sub.N with reference voltage Vref and produces a comparison data. ADM circuit 32 receives the comparison data from comparator 31 and carries out an arithmetic operation to determine an estimated value of the input analog voltage signal Vin. The result of the arithmetic operation is fed to D/A converter 30. The reference voltages for amplifier 28, comparator 31, ADM circuit 32, and D/A converter 30 are equal, though not shown. The output voltage signal of amplifier 28, which corresponds to the input analog voltage signal Vin, and the output voltage signal of D/A converter 30, which corresponds to the estimated analog voltage signal, are made to have the opposite polarities in relation to reference voltage Vref. If the estimation by ADM circuit 32 is correct, voltage V.sub.N at node N becomes equal to reference voltage Vref, and only has a DC component. In fact, however, factors of the D/A converter, such as resolution and arithmetic operation precision, make voltage V.sub.N at node N differ from reference voltage Vref. As a result, voltage V.sub.N at node N1 includes error component .DELTA.V, and becomes to (Vref.+-..DELTA.V). Therefore, the estimated analog voltage signal from ADM circuit 32 is not taken out of node N. In order to take out the estimated analog voltage signal, D/A converter 30 is controlled by a control signal so as to produce the estimated analog voltage signal from terminal OUT2. The signal from terminal OUT2 is amplified by amplifier 33, and fed to speaker 34. Thus, the estimated analog voltage signal (e.g., voice synthesis signal), which corresponds to the output value of ADM circuit 32, can be obtained.

In the above embodiment of FIG. 5, an estimated analog voltage signal can be obtained without having to employ two D/A converters. Further, analog signals can be compared irrespective of the dynamic range of the comparator. It is, therefore, not necessary to increase the pattern area. Since the level of an input analog voltage level need not be specified in consideration of the dynamic range of the comparator, the S/N ratio and resolution of the circuit are not deteriorated.

FIG. 6 shows a concrete structure of the circuit of FIG. 5. The same numerals as used in FIG. 5 indicate the same elements. Analog voltage signal Vin is fed from analog voltage signal source 27 (not shown in FIG. 6) to an inverting input terminal (-) of operational amplifier 36 through resistor 35. Resistor 2R.sub.a and switch 16.sub.1 are series-connected between the inverting input terminal (-) of operational amplifier 36 and the ground. Reference voltage Vref is applied to a non-inverting input terminal (+) of operational amplifier 36. An output terminal of operational amplifier 36 is connected to one end of resistor 29 and also to the inverting input terminal (-) through resistor 37. Resistors 35 and 37 and operational amplifier 36 constitutes amplifier 28 shown in FIG. 5. The other end of resistor 29 is connected to an inverting input terminal (-) of comparator 31 and also to output terminal OUT1 of R-2R ladder-type resistor circuit (constituting D/A converter 30) comprising resistors R0 to Rn-2 and resistors 2R0 to 2Rn-1. Reference voltage Vref is applied to a non-inverting input terminal (+) of comparator 31. An output voltage signal of comparator 31 is fed to ADM circuit 32. The result of the arithmetic operation performed by ADM circuit 32 is fed to n-bit data bus 38, and is also stored in RAM (random access memory) 39. Movable contacts 40a to 44a of switches 40 to 44 are connected to first contacts of resistors 2R0 to 2Rn-1. First stationary contacts 40b to 44b of switches 40 to 44 are commonly connected to bus 38 of ADM circuit 32, and second stationary contacts 40c to 44c are commonly connected to n-bit data bus 45 of ADM circuit 32. A node between resistor Rn-2 and 2Rn-1 is grounded through resistor 2R.sub.b and switch 16.sub.2. The sum of the resistances of resistors 29, 35, 2R.sub.a, and 37 is set to 2R.

The comparator circuit shown in FIG. 6 operates as follows. Switches 16.sub.1 and 16.sub.2 are alternately turned on/off by a control signal in order to switch the output terminals from which D/A converter 30 supplies an output signal. Suppose that switch 16.sub.2 is turned on and switch 16.sub.1 is turned off, and that movable contacts 40a to 44a of switches 40 to 44 are connected to stationary contacts 40b to 44b. In this case, the estimated digital voltage signal, fed from ADM circuit 32 through bus 38, is converted by D/A converter 30 into the estimated analog voltage signal. Voltage V.sub.N at node N is compared with reference voltage Vref by comparator 31. The comparison data is fed to ADM circuit 32. ADM circuit 32 performs an arithmetic operation for determining an estimated voltage value of input analog voltage signal Vin. Then, ADM circuit 32 produces a digital voltage signal indicative of the estimated value. This digital signal is fed to D/A converter 30 and, simultaneously, stored in RAM 39.

When the estimated analog voltage signal is to be taken out, switch 16.sub.1 is turned on and switch 16.sub.2 is turned off. Furthermore, movable contacts 40a to 44a are connected to stationary contacts 40c to 44c so that data stored in RAM 39 is supplied to contacts 40a to 44a via data bus 45. D/A converter 30 outputs an estimated analog voltage signal from terminal OUT2. The estimated analog voltage signal is amplified by amplifier 33 (not shown in FIG. 6) and supplied to speaker 34 (not shown in FIG. 6). Speaker 34 is driven by the estimated analog voltage signal, thus producing a synthesis output corresponding to the estimated analog voltage signal. In order to eliminate the influence of the output of operational amplifier 36 upon the synthesis output, it is desirable to keep high the impedance of the output terminal of operational amplifier 36 by using a power down signal.

The present invention can provide an R-2R type D/A converter which can supply an D/A converted output signal to two different analog circuits in a time-sequential manner, without adversely affecting the analog signal.