17840309. DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER CLOCK TRACKING SYSTEMS AND METHODS simplified abstract (APPLE INC.)
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER CLOCK TRACKING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Antonio Passamani of Munich (DE)
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER CLOCK TRACKING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17840309 titled 'DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER CLOCK TRACKING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Simplified Explanation
The abstract describes a technique for improving the efficiency of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) by using clock tracking to selectively activate latches at different levels of decoding. This helps maintain synchronization and reduces power consumption.
- The technique involves activating multiple unit cells of a DAC simultaneously to generate an analog signal based on a decoded digital signal.
- Latches are used at different levels of decoding and are activated by a clock signal to capture the partially decoded data signals and maintain synchronization.
- However, the use of latches can consume additional power during operation.
- To address this, clock tracking techniques such as static clock tracking, dynamic clock tracking, or differential clock tracking are used.
- These clock tracking techniques generate a clock path activation signal that gates the clock signal and determines which latches to ignore or leave inactive.
- By deactivating latches that do not provide useful updates to the decoded digital signal, power consumption is reduced.
Potential Applications
- Digital-to-analog converters (DACs) used in various electronic devices such as audio systems, video displays, and communication systems.
- Any application that requires efficient conversion of digital signals to analog signals.
Problems Solved
- Power consumption of latches in a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) during operation.
- Maintaining synchronization and improving the efficiency of DACs.
Benefits
- Reduced power consumption in DACs by selectively activating latches based on clock tracking techniques.
- Improved synchronization and efficiency in the conversion of digital signals to analog signals.
Original Abstract Submitted
A number of unit cells of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) may be simultaneously activated to generate an analog signal according to a decoded digital signal. Latches may be used at one or more levels of decoding and may be activated according to a clock signal to recapture the at least partially decoded data signals to maintain/improve the synchronicity of activation of the unit cells. However, the latches may consume additional power during operation. As such, clock tracking techniques such as static clock tracking, dynamic clock tracking, or differential clock tracking may be utilized to generate a clock path activation signal that gates the clock signal and determines which latches to ignore (e.g., leave inactive). In this manner, instead of activating each latch for every digital signal, clock tracking may be implemented to deactivate latches that do not provide useful updates to the decoded digital signal received at the unit cells.
