Data Collection and Control

What is Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) ?

 DAC is a device that converts digital numbers (binary)

into an analog voltage or current output.

1 0 0 0 1 1 1
0 1 0 1 0 0 0
0 0 1 1 0 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 0 1 DAC
 Purpose
 To convert digital values to analog voltages
 Performs inverse operation of the Analog-to-
Digital Converter (ADC)


V OUT ∝Digital Value

Reference Voltage

Digital Value DAC Analog Voltage

4
ADCs are used in systems to capture “real world” signals and
convert them to “digital” signals.

DACs are used in systems to capture “digital” signals and

convert them to “real world” signals that humans can interpret.
 DACs
 Types
 Binary Weighted Resistor
 R-2R Ladder
 Multiplier DAC
 The reference voltage is constant and is set by the manufacturer.
 Non-Multiplier DAC
 The reference voltage can be changed during operation.

 Characteristics
 Comprised of switches, op-amps, and resistors
 Provides resistance inversely proportion to significance
of bit

6
 7

Significance of Reference Voltage in DACs

 DACs use input reference voltage to generate analog
output from digital signals.

DAC

DAC (using Vref and bits as input) inside an SAR ADC

Digital-to-Analog Conversion
 Data in clean binary digital form can be converted to
an analog form by using a summing amplifier.
 For example, a simple 4-bit D/A converter can be made
with a four-input summing amplifier.
Digital-to-Analog Conversion
 2 Basic Approaches

 Weighted Summing Amplifier

 R-2R Network Approach
Weighted Sum DAC
 One way to achieve D/A conversion is to use a
summing amplifier.

 This approach is not satisfactory for a large number of

bits because it requires too much precision in the
summing resistors.

 This problem is overcome in the R-2R network DAC.

Resistors in the n/w are binary weighted.
Each of the digital i/p's controls a transistor switch in the n/w.
When the switch is closed,current flows from the ref source
through the binary weighted res to the summing point.
Opamp performs the sum of currents through the res and
outputs a proportional voltage.
Binary weighted resistors produce binary weighted currents
that are summed and converted to voltage by an opamp
For a 4 bit DAC, THE o/p Vo is given by
Vo=Vref(S3xRF/R3+S2xRF/R2+S1xRF/R1+S0xRF/R0)
WHERE S3,S2,S1,S0 STATUS OF SWITCHES AND TAKE
VALUE 1 OR 0 IF THE SWITCH IS CLOSED OR OPENED.
1. Construction of a DAC based on the
binary –weighted resistor network is
practically difficult
2. The construction of an n-bit DAC needs
n+1 resistors with values 20R, 1R, 22R,….,
20R, 221R,
22R,….,
2nR. 2nR.
3. The value of LSB resistor is 2n 2n times
timesthe
the
feedback resistor, RF.RF.
4. The nominal value of feedback resistor
is 5kohm, for 8 bit = 1.28M @ 28 28 XX5k 5kand
and
for 12 bit =0.48
= Mohm. Such high values
20.48
are notMohm.
easily Such
achievable
high values
in the ICs.
are not
easily achievable in the ICs.
 15

Binary-weighted resistor DAC

• Advantages:
▫ Simple

▫ Fast

• Disadvantages
▫ Need large range of resistor values (2048:1 for 12-
bit) with high precision in low resistor values.

▫ Need very small switch resistances.

R-2R ladder network
Resistors with only 2 values.

Current entering a branch in the n/w splits into 2 equal halves at a

node and further divides equally again at each node as it proceeds
through the ladders.

Each digital i/p controls a switch thr the res either to the summing
point or to the ground
.
Opamp sums the currents reaching the summing point and o/p's
the proportional voltage.

Vo=R X Iref(S3/2+S2/4+S1/8+S0/16)
=Vref(S3/2+S2/4+S1/8+S0/16)
 Disadv of a weighted res n/w over an R-2R
Ladder n/w

Each res in the n/w has a diff value.uses precision res, their cost
factor increases.

The value of LSB res is 2n times the feedback res. The value is
too high and not easily available in the IC'S.

The res used in the MSB is reqd to handle a much large current
than the LSB res.(current is 500 times larger in MSB)
R-2R Ladder DAC
R-2R Ladder DAC
 The summing amplifier with the R-2R ladder of
resistances shown produces the output where the
D's take the value 0 or 1.
 The digital inputs could be TTL voltages which
close the switches on a logical 1 and leave it
grounded for a logical 0.
 This is illustrated for 4 bits, but can be extended
to any number with just the resistance values R
and 2R.
• The DAC0808 is an 8-bit monolithic,high
speed current o/p DAC.
IREF  2m A
• Full Scale Error: ±1 LSB
• Offset current levels less than 4 A
• Maximum output current: 2 mA.
• Fast settling time: 150 ns typical
• Power supply voltage range: ±4.5V to ±18V
• Low power consumption: 33 mW @ ±5V
• Low cost.
 MSB

LSB

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 Current o/p DAC
In previous tech, the opamp performs the sum of currents and
converts them to voltage.

The performance of such devices depends on the speed of o/p

opamp.

Better performance could be achieved with current o/p devices.

Current o/p could be converted to voltage.

Binary weighted current are gen by an array of trans current

sources and switched either to o/p terminal or ground
depending on the binary i/p.
DAC0830/DAC0832
8-Bit µP Compatible DAC
 An advanced CMOS/Si-Cr 8-bit multiplying DAC
designed to interface directly with the 8080, 8048,
8085, Z80®, and other popular microprocessors.
 A deposited silicon-chromium R-2R resistor ladder
network divides the reference current and provides the
circuit with excellent temperature tracking
characteristics (0.05% of Full Scale Range maximum
linearity error over temperature).
Typical Application