A 12-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter for Current Distribution Type

Sensors have a wide range of applications in environmental monitoring, for example, as temperature transmitters in industrial control processes. In order to reduce the chip area and improve the digital-to-analogue conversion accuracy, large loads are driven. This study proposes a current-shunted DAC for sensor interfaces with an R-2R structure, using a Class-AB amplifier to buffer or amplify the signal. Spectre simulation shows that the DAC has a current consumption of 63uA when the supply voltage and reference voltage are 1.8V and can drive a 15pF capacitive load.