Log in | Create profile | Language

High Accuracy, low-noise DAC

The AXIOM PULLFIRDAC is a high accuracy sigma-delta digital-to-analog converter. The low out-of-band-noise (OOBN) down to -60dBFS makes the converter ideally suited for application with strict OOBN requirements. The PWM modulator is a special type of 1-bit sigma-delta modulator that produces a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal with a fixed repetition frequency. A fixed repetition rate makes the output signal insensitive to non-linear inter symbol interference (ISI).

The semi-digital FIR filter topology of the FIRDAC makes the FIRDAC behave as a multi-bit DAC. This gives the converter its excellent OOBN and makes the system robust against clock jitter and other error sources typically associated with 1-bit converters while maintaining excellent THD and good matching properties.

The AXIOM_PULLFIRDAC is ideally suited for digital-to-analog conversion in front of (analog) class-D or class-AB amplifiers. In addition this IP is delivered together with up-sampling / interpolation filters as signal pre-processing. The design and layout of the FIRDAC is a highly automated process, easy to scale and good portable to several CMOS technologies.

Features

  • Dynamic range: 117 dB (20 - 20kHz)
  • Excellent THD performance:
    THD < -110 dBFS
  • Low out-of-band-noise (OOBN): -60 dBFS
  • Good matching properties
  • Robust against clock jitter
  • Insensitive to inter symbol interference (ISI)
  • Multi-bit advantages with a single bit modulator
  • Silicon proven in CMOS 0.14 µm
  • Differential current outputs
  • High output compliance: no direct need for buffer
  • Area: 0.75 mm2 per channel

Applications

  • High accuracy digital-to-analog conversion with low OOBN
  • Signal generation for class-D and class-AB amplifiers
  • Audio subsystem
  • Makes a complete audio front-end system in combination with up-sampling filters and digital audio interface