Introducing a single-chip/mixed digital-to-analog converter

This article briefly introduces Monolithic/Hybrid Digital to Analog Converters

DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTERS,both of them have been designed for four inputs. But, if the number of inputs is more than four, the combination of output becomes more than 16. This makes the circuit more complex and the accuracy of the circuit reduces. Therefore, in critical and complex applications, a monolithic/hybrid D/A converter IC must be used. With the help of binary-weighted resistor, and R  and 2R resistor methods, 8-bit,10-bit, 12-bit, 14-bit, and 16-bit D/A converters can be designed with a current output, voltage output, or both current and voltage outputs.

The most commonly used 8-bit D/A converter is MC 1408 which has a current output that can be converted to a voltage type using a current to voltage converter op-amp. The design along with the current to voltage converter is shown in the figure below.

MC 1408 Digital to Analog Converter

V₀ = V_ref/R_ref *(R_F)*{D7/2 + D6/4 + D5/8 + D4/16 + D3/32 + D2/64 + D1/128 + D0/256}

SE/NE 5018 is a typical 8-bit D/A converter with voltage output. The figure is shown below.

SE-NE 5018 Digital to Analog Converter

In the figure, the SE/NE 5018 circuit is configured for uni-polar output (0V to 10V). For 12 bits of resolution as well as current and voltage outputs, hybrid D/A converters such as DATEL DAC-H2 series is used.

For the correct selection of the D/A converter out of the lot, some important specifications of the converter must be known.

This article is from Allicdata Electronics Limited. Reprinted need to indicate the source.