Precision method for automatic calibration and digital correction of high-accuracy digital-to-analog converters in the experiment

This article describes a simple algorithm for precise automatic calibration and digital correction of high-accuracy DACs in the real environment. An analytical expression for the methodical error of this algorithm has been settled. The procedure described is implemented in a high-accuracy and high-speed 21-bit DAC with a current settling time of about 1 μs. A small integral nonlinearity (less than 0.4 ppm) of the DAC is provided throughout the periodic calibration procedure and the correction of input codes in the operating mode. A method to decrease the contribution of superposition errors due to interactions between the bit weights of the DAC is shown. The algorithm can be used in a high-speed nuclear ADC. (orig.)