A 6 bit resolution, 1 gsamples/sec digital to analog converter

This paper presents the analyses and design of a very high speed 6 bit digital to analog converter intended for high-speed data streaming applications. The DAC is implemented using current switching technique. For eliminating non-monotonicity thermometric coding is used for the first five MSBs. The circuit has differential current outputs. The output voltage is generated externally by the current that the DAC injects into high precision resistors. The circuit operates at only 1.5 V, making it an ideal choice for low-power mobile applications. The circuit exhibits a third order intermodulation (IM3) of about 37 dBc with a full-scale two tone sinusoidal inputs at 150 MHz and 200 MHz. The DAC is fabricated in a 0.13mum in CMOS technology, it occupies 0.3 mm ² and dissipates less then 7.5 mW