High-end graphic systems with 3 million pixels require 8-bit D/A converters with more than 300-MS/s conversion rate. Furthermore, D/A converters need to operate with low supply voltage when they are integrated with large-scale digital circuits on a harf-micron CMOS process. This paper describes a 350-MS/s 8-bit CMOS D/A converter with 3.3-V power supply. A current source circuit with a delayed driving scheme is developed. This driving scheme reduces a fluctuation of internal node voltage of the current source circuit and high-speed swiching is realized. In addition to this driving scheme, two stages of latches are inserted into matrix decoder for reducing glitch energy and for enhancing decoding speed. The D/A converter is fabricated in a 0.5-µm CMOS process with single poly-silicon layer and double aluminum layers. Its settling time is less than 2.4 ns and it successfully operates at 350 MS/s.

We have proposed a concept of low power drive system for a multi-media TFT-LCD using MFD in which a displayed image is divided into some interlaced subfield images and the number of interlaced subfields can be changed depending on the moving quantities of displayed images. This method has been applied to a 9.5" TFT-LCD and successful operation has been confirmed without moving image degradation.

Electronics and automobiles were bound together by the introduction of emission regulations in the 1970's. The rapid progress of control technology and semiconductors that typify microcomputers has brought still closer relations between them. Without electronics, it would be impossible to realize features such as pursuit of comfort and environmental and safety measures which should be added to the automobile's fundamental features. In looking ahead to the future, the role of electronics in achieving electric automobiles and the ultimate goal of "automatic driving" is ever-increasing. Everyone knows that automobiles have become indispensable in our lives. In the future, the role of electronics will become increasingly important in order to evolve automobiles even further to allow harmonization with society.