IP Library Granted Patent US 9,762,256
Granted Patent B2
US 9,762,256 · App. 15/130,617 · Granted Sep 12, 2017

Digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with enhanced dynamic element matching (DEM) and calibration

Inventors: Gaurav Chandra (Carlsbad, CA); Tao Zeng (Carlsbad, CA); Shantha Murthy Prem Swaroop (Carlsbad, CA)
Assignee: MAXLINEAR, INC.
H03M1/066H03M1/1038H03M1/66
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,762,256
App. No.
15/130,617
Granted
Sep 12, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for digital-to-analog converters (DACs) with enhanced dynamic element matching (DEM) and calibration. DEM may be adapted based on assessment of one or more conditions that may affect the DACs or DEM functions thereof. The one or more condition may comprise amount of signal backoff. The adaption may comprise switching the DEM function (as a whole, or partially—e.g., individual DEM elements) on or off based on the assess conditions. The DACs may incorporate use of calibration. The DEM and/or the calibration may be applied to only a portion of the DAC, such as a particular segment (e.g., a middle segment comprising bits between the MSBs and the LSBs).

Claims (22)

1. A method for managing dynamic element matching in a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), during digital-to-analog conversion, comprising:

determining one or more parameters associated with said DAC and/or a signal being converted via said DAC;

assessing based on the one or more parameters, one or more conditions affecting the dynamic element matching, wherein the one or more conditions comprise signal backoff;

determining that adjustments to the dynamic element matching are needed based on comparing of an amount of signal backoff to one or more pre-set thresholds; and

dynamically adjusting the dynamic element matching based on said assessing of said one or more conditions.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjusting comprises switching the dynamic element matching on or off.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said switching comprises switching the dynamic element matching in whole and switching only one or more individual dynamic element matching elements.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters comprise measured power for said signal being converted via said DAC; and further comprising:

assessing said amount of backing off based on said measured power for said signal being converted via said DAC.

5. The method of claim 4 , comprising determining said measured power for said signal being converted via said DAC based on radio signal strength indication (RSSI) measurements.

6. A system comprising:

a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that is operable to apply digital-to-analog conversions, wherein the DAC is configurable to apply dynamic element matching; and

one or more circuits that are operable to:

determine one or more parameters associated with said DAC and/or a signal being converted via said DAC;

assess based on the one or more parameters, one or more conditions affecting the dynamic element matching; and, wherein the one or more conditions comprise signal backoff;

determine adjustments to the dynamic element matching are needed based on comparing of an amount of signal backoff to one or more pre-set thresholds; and

dynamically adjust dynamic element matching based on said assessing of said one or more conditions.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the adjusting comprises switching the dynamic element matching on or off.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein said switching comprises switching the dynamic element matching in whole and switching only one or more individual dynamic element matching elements.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the one or more parameters comprise measured power for said signal being converted via said DAC; and wherein the one or more circuits are operable to:

assess said amount of backing off based on said measured power for said signal being converted via said DAC.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more circuits are operable to determine said measured power for said signal being converted via said DAC based on radio signal strength indication (RSSI) measurements.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 9, 2021
From: MAXLINEAR, INC.; MAXLINEAR COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; EXAR CORPORATION
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 056816/0089 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2021
From: MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.
To: MAXLINEAR, INC.; EXAR CORPORATION; MAXLINEAR COMMUNICATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 056656/0204 →
SUCCESSION OF AGENCY (REEL 042453 / FRAME 0001) Recorded Jul 1, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053115/0842 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 12, 2017
From: MAXLINEAR, INC.; ENTROPIC COMMUNICATIONS, LLC (F/K/A ENTROPIC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.); EXAR CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 042453/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2016
From: CHANDRA, GAURAV; ZENG, TAO; SWAROOP, SHANTHA MURTHY PREM
To: MAXLINEAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 038330/0399 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 62148490 · Apr 16, 2015
Provisional Application 62148517 · Apr 16, 2015
Related Publication 20160308545A1 · Oct 20, 2016