Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

1-bit DAC

A 1-bit (DAC), also known as a delta-sigma or sigma-delta DAC, is an that converts multi-bit signals into analog outputs using a single-bit quantizer within a , relying on and noise shaping to achieve high and . This design typically includes a interpolation to increase the sampling rate, followed by a sigma-delta modulator that generates a high-frequency pulse-density modulated (PDM) , where the density of '1's represents the signal amplitude. The 1-bit DAC then produces a two-level from this —switching between positive and negative reference voltages—before a low-pass reconstructs the smooth analog waveform by removing out-of-band quantization noise. The core advantage of the 1-bit DAC lies in its inherent , as the simple switching mechanism avoids the resistor-matching errors common in multi-bit designs, theoretically providing perfect without analog trimming. Oversampling spreads the quantization noise over a wider , while the noise-shaping in the modulator pushes this noise to higher frequencies outside the signal band of interest, such as the audio range up to 20 kHz, allowing for effective (SNR) improvements of up to 15 dB per octave of in second-order modulators. This makes 1-bit DACs particularly suitable for applications requiring , like playback, where ratios of 64x or higher enable effective resolutions equivalent to 16-24 bits. Notable implementations include those in consumer audio devices, where the architecture minimizes power consumption and chip area by shifting most complexity to digital processing, though it trades off higher for . Early developments in the , such as stereo 16-bit delta-sigma converters, laid the foundation for widespread adoption in players and modern integrated circuits.

Overview

Definition and Fundamentals

A 1-bit (DAC) is a type of converter that processes a multi-bit input signal by transforming it into a high-frequency, single-bit pulse stream, from which the analog output is reconstructed using a to remove high-frequency components and recover the original waveform. This approach leverages high sampling rates, often tens or hundreds of times the , to encode signal information in the temporal density of pulses rather than amplitude levels. In contrast to traditional multi-bit DACs, which employ precise ladders, sources, or arrays to generate weighted analog levels and can suffer from nonlinearity due to component mismatches, a 1-bit DAC uses a simple output (typically switching between two voltage levels, such as +V and -V or 0 and V), thereby eliminating the need for high-precision analog matching and reducing susceptibility to variations. However, achieving comparable to multi-bit systems necessitates significant to distribute quantization across a broader , allowing effective to be gained through subsequent filtering. The fundamental operating principle of a 1-bit DAC is (PDM), in which the amplitude of the input signal is represented by the relative density of '1' pulses within the ; higher densities correspond to larger positive signal values, while lower densities indicate smaller or negative values, with the time-averaged pulse density approximating the desired analog level. For bipolar PDM switching between +V_ref and -V_ref, the average output voltage can be approximated by the equation: V_{avg} = V_{ref} \times \left( 2 \times \frac{N_1}{N_{total}} - 1 \right) where N_1 is the number of '1' pulses (corresponding to +V_ref), N_{total} is the total number of pulses in the observation period, and V_{ref} is the reference voltage amplitude.

Historical Development

The concept of , a precursor to 1-bit digital-to-analog conversion, emerged in the 1940s as a simplified approach to for efficient signal encoding. In the 1950s, C.C. Cutler at Bell Laboratories advanced this foundation through a 1954 that introduced combined with noise shaping, enabling improved quantization efficiency in low-bit-depth systems and laying the groundwork for modern delta-sigma architectures. The 1980s marked a pivotal shift toward practical 1-bit DAC implementations in consumer audio. Research Laboratories developed the converter in 1987, utilizing a 1-bit technique with 256x to achieve performance equivalent to 16-bit resolution in players, as implemented in chips like the SAA7320. By the 1990s, 1-bit DAC technology proliferated through delta-sigma modulator chips integrated into DVD players and high-fidelity audio systems, driven by advancements from manufacturers such as , which released its first delta-sigma DAC in 1989. This era saw widespread adoption for its cost-effectiveness and linearity benefits over multibit alternatives. In 1999, and jointly introduced (DSD) for (SACD), employing a 1-bit stream at 2.8224 MHz sampling rate to capture with enhanced . Into the , 1-bit DACs continue to evolve in high-end implementations. In 2025, Topping launched the D900, a DAC featuring a proprietary 1-bit Precision Stream Reconstruction Matrix for ultra-low and precise decoding in applications. In December 2025, iBasso released the D17 Atheris DAC/AMP, featuring dual 1-bit and R2R DAC layouts with a tube amplifier stage for unlimited power, exceptional resolution, and musicality suitable for both IEMs and headphones.

Principles of Operation

Oversampling and Noise Shaping

in the context of 1-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs) refers to sampling the input signal at a rate significantly higher than the , often by factors such as 64× or 256× in audio applications, which distributes the quantization noise across a broader frequency spectrum rather than concentrating it within the signal bandwidth. This approach reduces the noise power density in the , providing an SNR improvement of approximately 3 dB for each doubling of the sampling rate, equivalent to gaining 0.5 bits of per of . Noise shaping complements by employing a in the modulation loop to redirect quantization toward higher frequencies, away from the signal band of interest, thereby enhancing the effective SNR in the low-frequency region. In a shaper, this is realized through a differentiator-like response that amplifies at high frequencies while suppressing it at . The key equation describing this behavior is the noise transfer function (NTF) for a modulator: \text{NTF}(z) = 1 - z^{-1} This transfer function exhibits high-pass filtering characteristics in the frequency domain, where the magnitude approximates | \text{NTF}(e^{j 2 \pi f / f_s}) | \approx 2 \pi f / f_s for frequencies f \ll f_s / 2, effectively pushing noise out of the baseband. To illustrate the interplay, achieving an effective 16-bit resolution (corresponding to approximately 98 dB SNR) in a first-order 1-bit system theoretically demands an oversampling ratio (OSR) of approximately $2^{11} = 2048, as the cubic reduction in in-band noise power with OSR (yielding ~9 dB SNR improvement per octave) necessitates such rates for sufficient noise suppression. In practical audio implementations, however, an OSR of 64 combined with higher-order noise shaping suffices to deliver over 100 dB SNR, balancing performance with feasibility. These techniques introduce tradeoffs, including elevated clock frequencies that increase power dissipation and demand more aggressive analog low-pass filtering to attenuate the shaped noise in higher bands post-conversion.

Delta-Sigma Modulation

Delta-sigma modulation is a feedback architecture central to 1-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs), where a multi-bit input signal is processed through a loop consisting of one or more integrators, a 1-bit quantizer, and a 1-bit DAC in the feedback path to generate a high-rate 1-bit pulse-density modulated output stream. The core operation begins with the difference (delta) between the multi-bit input and the feedback signal from the 1-bit DAC, which is then integrated (sigma) by the integrator stage, producing an accumulated error that drives the 1-bit quantizer to output a pulse (typically +1 or -1) based on whether the integrated value exceeds zero. This quantized output is fed back through the 1-bit DAC, which reconstructs an analog level (e.g., ±V_REF) subtracted from the input, closing the loop and ensuring the average density of the 1-bit stream approximates the input signal's value over time. In a delta-sigma modulator, the structure employs a single , providing basic shaping suitable for moderate ratios but limited in achieving due to its gradual suppression of 20 per . Higher-order modulators, such as second-order designs commonly used in audio applications, incorporate multiple s (e.g., two for second-order) to produce a steeper , enhancing quantization at low frequencies while maintaining the signal (STF) approximately unity in the . The STF can be expressed as: \text{STF}(z) \approx 1 for low frequencies, allowing the input signal to pass through largely unattenuated while the loop shapes quantization noise to higher frequencies. Stability in delta-sigma modulators becomes a critical concern with higher orders, as additional integrators can lead to potential instability or limit cycles, particularly at high oversampling ratios where the loop gain increases. First-order modulators are inherently stable due to their simplicity, but higher-order variants risk overload and tonal artifacts, which are often mitigated through digital techniques such as dithering to randomize quantization errors or architectural modifications like distributed feedback. In audio DACs, second-order modulators strike a balance, offering improved performance without excessive stability challenges when paired with appropriate oversampling.

Performance Characteristics

Linearity

The 1-bit DAC, consisting of a simple quantizer and feedback element with only two output levels, exhibits perfect (DNL = 0) and (INL = 0), as there are no component mismatches to introduce step-size variations or cumulative deviations from the ideal . This inherent eliminates the need for trimming or common in multi-bit architectures. Through and noise shaping, which push quantization noise out of the signal band, 1-bit DACs achieve effective equivalent to 16-24 bits within the , such as the audio range up to 20 kHz. However, nonlinearity in the analog can generate out-of-band distortion products that alias back into the signal band if not adequately suppressed. Key limitations include high sensitivity to clock , which modulates the pulse density and degrades particularly at higher signal frequencies due to the large step size of the 1-bit . The analog must exhibit high to prevent between in-band signals and shaped noise, ensuring clean low-pass filtering without introducing harmonics. A primary performance metric for 1-bit DACs is the (SFDR), which can exceed 100 dB in the audio band for well-designed implementations employing effective noise shaping and filtering. Compared to multi-bit R-2R DACs, which suffer from tolerance errors—for instance, 0.1% mismatch limiting effective to around 10-12 bits due to gradient-induced variations—1-bit designs avoid such analog mismatches and instead improve by increasing the ratio (OSR).

Bitstream Generation

In 1-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs), the bitstream serves as a high-rate serial data stream that encodes the analog signal using pulse density modulation (PDM), where the density of pulses represents the signal amplitude, enabling high effective resolution and low distortion through averaging and noise shaping. For audio applications, a typical input such as 16-bit pulse-code modulation (PCM) at a 44.1 kHz sampling rate is oversampled to generate a 1-bit bitstream at rates like 2.8 MHz, achieving an oversampling ratio of 64. This high-rate stream, often in the megahertz range, allows the 1-bit representation to achieve effective resolution comparable to multi-bit systems through averaging. The is produced by the delta-sigma modulator, which uses a feedback loop to create the stream: the modulator's output toggles between 0 and 1 based on the accumulated error between the input signal and the feedback from a 1-bit quantizer, with the of 1s directly correlating to the input —for instance, a input at 0.5 full-scale results in a 50% of 1s in the stream. The average value of the thus approximates the input signal, as higher input levels increase the proportion of 1s, while lower levels decrease it. This process leverages to spread quantization noise, enabling the to faithfully represent the signal despite its binary nature and achieving SNR improvements of up to 15 dB per of in second-order modulators. The term "" originated as a designation by for their PDM-based output in early 1-bit DAC implementations, emphasizing the continuous, stream-like flow of bits that facilitates subsequent digital or analog processing and filtering. In ' design, the operates at pulse rates around 10 million per second, transformed from PCM inputs via noise-shaping algorithms to maintain . Reconstruction of the from the involves low-pass filtering to average the rapid pulses, effectively smoothing the density variations into a continuous that matches the original signal . In digital implementations, a low-pass —such as a sinc³ type—may precede to reduce the data rate while suppressing out-of-band , yielding a multi-bit output if needed for further processing. For a simple input, the manifests as varying pulse density that follows the waveform's excursions, with denser 1s during positive peaks and sparser during troughs. However, in low-order modulators (e.g., first- or second-order), idle tones—manifesting as limit cycles or periodic patterns—can emerge at low input s near zero, producing unwanted tonal artifacts in the due to repetitive bit patterns. These tones, often low in energy, are more prevalent in lower-order designs and can be mitigated by higher-order modulation or dithering, preserving performance.

Applications and Implementations

Audio Processing

1-bit DACs, implemented through , have become the standard for decoding (PCM) signals to analog in consumer audio devices such as and DVD players since the , owing to their ability to achieve high-fidelity output with simplified architecture. These converters dominate modern applications, including set-top boxes and portable players, due to their integration with and cost-effectiveness in fabrication. A prominent application is the (SACD) format, which employs (DSD), a 1-bit encoding at a sampling rate of 2.8224 MHz to deliver with a exceeding 120 dB without the complexity of multi-bit quantization. This approach enables extended up to 100 kHz while maintaining low in-band noise through noise shaping. In audio reproduction, 1-bit DACs offer advantages including low implementation cost via single-reference designs, high in-band (often >100 A-weighted), and inherent immunity to process variations through the linearity of the 1-bit quantizer, which requires no trimming. These traits facilitate direct playback of DSD streams, supporting formats like SACD in dedicated players. in these systems further boosts by shifting quantization noise beyond the audible spectrum. However, the noise shaping in 1-bit DACs generates significant ultrasonic noise outside the audio band, necessitating analog filters to prevent in downstream components. In hybrid audio systems, DSD signals are often converted to PCM for digital processing, as native DSD manipulation demands specialized hardware to handle the high data rates and avoid excessive noise. As of 2025, 1-bit delta-sigma DACs remain integral to mobile devices and streaming applications, powering integrated audio codecs in smartphones and receivers for efficient, low-power high-resolution playback.

Circuit Design Examples

A 1-bit DAC operates as a simple switch that alternates between a voltage (VREF) and based on the input , effectively converting the digital pulses into an through averaging. In CMOS implementations, this switch is typically realized using a single or to minimize on-resistance and switching noise, with the output connected to a to reconstruct the smooth analog waveform by attenuating high-frequency components. Common filter topologies include passive networks for simplicity or active Sallen-Key configurations for sharper and better stability. Integrated examples of 1-bit DACs often incorporate the delta-sigma modulator and output stage on-chip for compactness and reduced external component count. The AK4396, a stereo DAC supporting up to 192 kHz PCM and direct 1-bit DSD input, features an on-chip modulator that generates the 1-bit stream, driving an internal output stage that requires an external for final analog filtering and buffering. This design leverages the chip's low to interface with op-amps like the OPA2134, ensuring minimal while the external handles noise shaping . Discrete designs represent a 2025 trend toward precision and reduced variability by avoiding inconsistencies. The Topping D900 employs a Precision Stream Reconstruction Matrix (PSRM) with 32 switching elements per , forming a 1-bit DAC array that averages the to lower and enhance without relying on monolithic ICs. These switches, implemented with high-speed transistors, directly drive a custom I/V conversion stage, bypassing traditional multi-bit ladders for improved in applications. Filter design in 1-bit DACs focuses on analog low-pass configurations to recover the signal while suppressing the high-frequency noise shaped by the modulator. A typical is set at half the signal , such as 20 kHz for audio, using 4th- to 6th-order Butterworth or Bessel to achieve at least 60-80 dB beyond the . Active implementations with multiple op-amp stages provide the necessary (-24 dB/ per second-order section) for effective noise rejection, while digital IIR can preprocess the in hybrid designs to simplify analog requirements. Power and layout considerations are critical for 1-bit DACs due to the high-speed clocks (often in the MHz range) that drive the modulator and switch. Clean, low-noise power supplies with dedicated regulators for analog and sections prevent and , typically using linear post-regulation to achieve <1 mV . traces for clock and signals must be short and impedance-controlled (50-100 Ω), with ground planes and shielding to minimize () from fast edges.

References

  1. [1]
    Current Steering Digital-to-Analog Converters
    Jan 21, 2021 · Very high linearity can be achieved from the 1 bit DAC, which is theoretically perfectly linear. A major part of the converter uses digital ...1 Digital-To-Analog... · 2 Current Mode Dacs In Cmos · 2.2 Static Errors And...
  2. [2]
    [PDF] Sigma-Delta ADCs and DACs Application Note (AN-283)
    The 1-bit DAC is driven by the serial output data stream ... Del Signore and E. J. Swanson, A Stereo 16-Bit. Delta-Sigma A/D Converter for Digital Audio, J.
  3. [3]
    Sigma-Delta ADCs Tutorial - Analog Devices
    Jan 31, 2003 · This in-depth article covers the theory behind a Delta-Sigma analog-to-digital converter (ADC). ... 1-bit DAC. (This DAC is simply a switch ...Sigma-Delta Adcs Tutorial · Noise Shaping · Sigma-Delta Adcs From Analog...
  4. [4]
    [PDF] How delta-sigma ADCs work, Part 1 (Rev. A) - Texas Instruments
    The design of delta-sigma (∆Σ) analog-to- digital converters (ADCs) is approximately three-quarters digital and one-quarter analog.
  5. [5]
    [PDF] Understanding PDM Digital Audio
    PDM stands for pulse density modulation. However, it is really better summarized as “oversampled 1-bit audio”, as it is nothing more than a high sampling ...
  6. [6]
    None
    ### Summary of 1-bit DAC in Sigma-Delta ADCs (MT-022)
  7. [7]
    [PDF] An Overview of Sigma-Delta Converters
    In fact, a 1 bit quantizer used in a 2nd order modulator can become overloaded, thereby making the analysis much more difficult. The quantizer is overloaded.
  8. [8]
    Philips Digital Audio Data Converters - DutchAudioClassics.nl
    Philips scored a first in 1987 by developing the bitstream data conversion technique which converts binary samples of an analog audio signal into a 1-bit ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
  9. [9]
    HISTORY | STORIES | VELVET SOUND | AKM
    Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) released their first delta-sigma D/A converter (DAC) in 1989. The first-generation Premium audio DAC, a multi-bit ...Missing: 1990s | Show results with:1990s
  10. [10]
    Sony Launches the First Super Audio CD Player
    Apr 6, 1999 · Sony Marketing (Japan) Inc. today announced plans to launch the world's first Super Audio CD player [SCD-1] in the Japanese market in May 1999.
  11. [11]
    Topping's D900 is a discrete 1-Bit DAC w/ active preamp | Darko.Audio
    Nov 4, 2025 · A 1-bit pulse density modulator that uses discrete components for something Topping calls the Precision Stream Reconstruction Matrix.
  12. [12]
    [PDF] Section 14: Sigma-Delta ADCs and DACs - Analog Devices
    The 1-bit DAC is driven by the serial output data stream, and the DAC output ... The analog filter of the modulator can thus be viewed as a noise shaping filter.
  13. [13]
    [PDF] MT-023 Tutorial, ADC Architectures IV - Analog Devices
    Obviously, this architecture will give a higher dynamic range for a given oversampling ratio and order of loop filter. Stabilization is easier, since second- ...
  14. [14]
    [PDF] How Sigma Delta Modulators achieve high performance (and why ...
    However, lets now assume that the signal is oversampled such that the rate is fs=2r+1fB, that is, the oversampling ratio is OSR=2r=fs/2fB.
  15. [15]
    [PDF] Signal Acquisition and Conditioning Seminar - Section 3
    A 1-bit sampling system has highquantization noise relative to the input signal, thus noise shaping filters are used to suppress the quantization noise. The ...
  16. [16]
    An Introduction to Digital Delta-Sigma Modulators
    The oversampled output has almost the same S/N ratio as the input but much fewer bits (e.g. 16 reduced to 1). • Fewer bits means it's easier to implement.
  17. [17]
    [PDF] The Delta-Sigma Modulator
    Jun 21, 2016 · Delta-Sigma modulators are a class of oversampling analog-to-digital converters that perform. “quantization noise shaping,” thus achieving a.Missing: CC Cutler
  18. [18]
  19. [19]
    [PDF] A 100-dB gain-corrected delta-sigma audio DAC with headphone ...
    Data-weighted averaging (DWA) is usually applied in multibit DACs to suppress mismatch noise in the signal band. However, DWA introduces idle tones for signal.
  20. [20]
    16 bit R2R DAC? - Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange
    Jan 4, 2020 · so a 10 bit DAC has a resolution of 0.1% and 0.1% R value for msb contributes 0.05% error. If the R error is > 0.2% then there are missing codes ...R-2R for HQ sound output - Electrical Engineering Stack ExchangeR-2R Ladder Resistors MismatchMore results from electronics.stackexchange.com
  21. [21]
    PDM, PWM, Delta-Sigma, 1-Bit DACs Peter W. Mitchell
    Jun 28, 2016 · The "1-bit" digital decoder, is suddenly appearing everywhere. In recent years, competition among makers of CD players has taken the form of " ...Missing: DVD | Show results with:DVD
  22. [22]
    Using Sigma-Delta Converters, Part 1 - Analog Devices
    A: Most sigma-delta converters exhibit some spikes in the noise floor, called idle tones. In general, these spikes have low energy, not enough to substantially ...
  23. [23]
    DACs - Addicted To Audio NZ
    Jun 17, 2020 · Unknowing to most, they are in nearly every consumer product found in homes that generate sound, from TVs, mobile phones, Bluetooth speakers, CD ...Missing: prevalence | Show results with:prevalence
  24. [24]
    Delta Sigma vs Non-oversampling (NOS) R2R DAC - Ultimate Guide
    A Delta-Sigma DAC oversamples the digital input and converts it into a high-speed 1-bit (or low-bit) stream. It uses feedback loops to correct errors in ...
  25. [25]
    One-bit Delta Sigma Audio Encoding (DSD), Direct Stream Digital
    Apr 26, 2024 · For audio, a delta-sigma converter digitizes the signal 1-bit deep with a very high sampling rate: 64 times the CD Audio sampling rate of 44.1 ...
  26. [26]
    Audio Digital to Analog Converter ICs Market Report - Dataintelo
    Sigma-Delta DACs are known for their high resolution and low noise, making them suitable for applications requiring high fidelity audio. These DACs are widely ...
  27. [27]
    Low-Pass Filter a PWM Signal into an Analog Voltage
    In this article we will take a closer look at how to effectively low-pass filter a PWM signal into an analog voltage.
  28. [28]
    [PDF] Active-filtering circuit for audio DACs (Rev. A) - Texas Instruments
    The second-order active-filter design allows a higher level of noise attenuation closer to the audible band than a simple, first-order. RC filter. In addition, ...
  29. [29]
    [PDF] AK4396 English Datasheet - Sowter
    The AK4396 accepts 192kHz PCM data and 1-bit DSD data, ideal for a wide range of applications including DVD-Audio and SACD. The AK4396 has a fully functional ...
  30. [30]
    AK4396: best solution for output stage - diyAudio
    May 15, 2009 · You should never use the output of the DAC-chip directly. These are normally very sensitive to the load (Even though the Zout is low). Also, you ...The best sounding audio integrated opamps | Page 6AKM 4393 vs. AKM 4396 why bother?More results from www.diyaudio.comMissing: delta- sigma bit
  31. [31]
    Topping D900 DAC Review - HomeTheaterHifi.com
    Oct 15, 2025 · The D900 instead uses 32 copies of a 1-bit switch, staggered and averaged. The Topping 900 doesn't use an R-2R ladder like discrete resistor ...
  32. [32]
    [PDF] One-bit Audio: An Overview - Sonic Studio
    Oct 31, 2003 · Abstract. This paper presents an overview of one-bit audio processing. Several characteristics of a Sigma Delta Modulator (SDM), ...
  33. [33]
    Suggested low pass filter for a DAC - EEVblog
    Nov 30, 2021 · To get rid of the steps, you need a cutoff somewhere between [intended signal] and Fs/2, and enough attenuation by >Fs/2 to get the steps ...Missing: shaping | Show results with:shaping
  34. [34]
    How to Design a Mixed-Signal PCB | Sierra Circuits
    Dec 4, 2024 · In this article, you'll learn the steps for designing mixed-signal PCBs while addressing the common challenges you might face.
  35. [35]
    Understand the AC and DC Return Path on a High-Performance ...
    Jul 23, 2019 · In this article we'll discuss a complex topic; the importance of designing a controlled current path on high performance mixed (Analog/Digital) PCBs.
  36. [36]
    iBasso D17 Atheris Review
    Review confirming the release and features of the iBasso D17 Atheris DAC/AMP, including dual 1-bit and R2R DAC layouts with tube amplification.