Software linearization of DA converters

This paper presents a method for achieving increased resolution in Nyquist-rate DA converters, by using techniques from over-sampling DA converters. After characterizing the linearity errors of the DA converter, we use a software implementation of the method to pre-distort the digital code before sending it to the converter. The conversion of the pre-distorted signal causes an improvement in effective resolution of the generated analog signal from 12 bits to an equivalent of up to 16 bits for the National Instruments 5411 board.