DAC eliminates need for external precision reference in most applications

Texas Instruments DACx1408 DACs are a pin-compatible family of eight-channel, buffered, high-voltage output DACs with 16, 14 and 12-bit resolution. The device includes a low drift, 2.5V internal reference, removing the necessity for an external precision reference in most applications. These devices are designated monotonic and give high linearity of ±1LSB INL. A user selectable output configuration allows full-scale bipolar output voltages: ±20V, ±10V, ±5V or ±2.5V, and full-scale unipolar output voltages: 40V, 20V, 10V or 5V. The full-scale output range for every DAC channel is independently programmable. The integrated DAC output buffers can sink or source up to 25mA, therefore, limiting the requirement for extra operational amplifiers. Each pair of channels can be configured to offer a differential output with offset calibration. The three dedicated A-B toggle pins allow dither signal generation with up to three possible frequencies. The device is ideal for optical networking, industrial automation, and test and measurement applications.