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Topics Discussed
What is a DAC?
Choosing a DAC
Resistor String DAC
Weighted Resistor DAC
R-2R DAC
PWM
DAC associated errors
Applications
Conclusion
What is a DAC
A digital to analog
converter (DAC) is a
device that converts
digital numbers (binary)
into an analog voltage or
current output.
Choosing a DAC
There are six main parameters that should be considered when
choosing a DAC for a particular project.
Reference Voltage
Resolution
Linearity
Speed
Settling time
Error
Choosing a DAC
Reference Voltage
To a large extent the output properties of a DAC are
determined by the reference voltage.
Multiplier DAC The reference voltage is constant and is set by
the manufacturer.
Non-Multiplier DAC The reference voltage can be changed
during operation.
Choosing a DAC
Resolution
The resolution is the amount of voltage rise created by increasing
the LSB of the input by 1. This voltage value is a function of the
number of input bits and the reference voltage value.
- Increasing the number of bits results in a finer resolution
- Most DACs in the 12-18 bit range
Reference_Voltage
Resolution
2 nbits
Choosing a DAC
Linearity
The linearity is the relationship between the output voltage and the
digital signal input.
Choosing a DAC
Speed
Usually specified as the conversion rate or sampling rate. It is the
rate at which the input register is cycled through in the DAC.
Choosing a DAC
Settling Time
Ideally a DAC would instantaneously change its output value when
the digital input would change. However, in a real DAC it takes
time for the DAC to reach the actual expected output value.
Choosing a DAC
Error
There are multiple sources of error in computing the analog
output.
Specifications:
DAC Type R-2R Voltage Out
Input Dual 8 Bit
Reference voltage Non-Multiplier
2v 12.5v
Settling Time - 7s
Cost - Under $4.00
1. Resistor String
2. N-Bit Binary Weighted Resistor
3. R-2R Ladder
4. PWM DAC
2 n 28 256
n 1
Number of Switches =
2i 28 1 255
i 0
Vref
R
R/2
2R
4R
+
2nR
Vout
...
R 2 R 4 R 8R
Vref = -2V
Digital word = 1010
V1 = -2V
V2 = 0V
V3 = -2V
V4 = 0V
Rf = R/2
Vout
Vref
V1
V2
2R
V3
4R
Rf
1 2 0 2 0
1.25V
2 1 2 4 8
+
V4
8R
Vout
Advantages
Disadvantages
Simple
Fast
Need large range of resistor values (2000:1 for 12bit) with high precision in low resistor values
Need very small switch resistances
Summary
R-2R DAC
Basic Idea:
Use only 2 resistor values
Use equal resistances in parallel to halve the resistance
Creates a series of voltage dividers cutting voltages in half
Another summing op-amp
R-2R Example
Digital word = 001
V0 has two 2R resistances in parallel connected to ground
Equivalent of R between V0 and ground
V1 now has a resistance R to V0 and R to ground
V0 = V1/2
V1 has two 2R resistances to ground
Equivalent of R between V1 and ground
V2 now has a resistance R to V1 and R to ground
V1 = V2/2
V2 = Vref
V0 = V2/4
V0 = Vref/4
Vout = -V0/2
Vout = -Vref/8
R-2R Summary
Advantages
Only
2 resistor values
Summary
Better
PWM Summary
Advantages
All
digital
Cheap
Disadvantages
High
Summary
Best
Errors
Errors
Gain Error
Offset Error
Full Scale Error
Linearity
Non-Monotonic Output Error
Settling Time and Overshoot
Resolution
Gain Error
Slope deviation
from ideal gain
Low Gain Error:
Step Amplitude is
less than ideal
High Gain Error:
Step Amplitude is
higher than ideal
Offset Error
Non-Linearity
Non-linearity
The largest
difference between
the actual and
theoretical output
as a percentage of
full-scale output
voltage
Non-linearity
It is the difference
of tension
obtained during
the passage in the
next digital code.
Resolution Errors
Applications
Programmable Filters
DAC Applications
References