An 11-bit 160-MS/s 1.35-V 10-mW D/A converter using automated device sizing system

This paper describes an automated device sizing system for current-steering D/A converters (DACs) and an 11-bit 160-MS/s DAC implemented using this system. Based on an analysis of harmonic distortion (or spurious) of the DAC, a circuit technique named one-Vgs switching has been newly developed for realizing high spurious free dynamic range (SFDR). The automated device sizing system has also been developed for quick retargeting of the current-steering DAC. The 11-bit 160-MS/s DAC has been designed using this system and fabricated in a 0.18-/spl mu/m technology. It operates at 1.35-V power supply with 10-mW power consumption, 1.6-Vppd output swing, and 61-dB SFDR at f/sub sig/=10.2 MHz. Its active area is 0.22 mm/sup 2/.