Low-Power, Quad, 12-Bit Voltage-Output DAC
with Serial Interface
MAX525
REFERENCE INPUTS
REFAB
REFCD
+5V
VDD
DAC A
DAC B
DAC C
DAC D
AGND
DGND
FBA 10k
10k
OUTA
FBB 10k
10k
OUTB
FBC 10k
10k
OUTC
FBD 10k
10k
OUTD
VREFAB = VREFCD = 2.5V
Figure 10. Unipolar Rail-to-Rail Output Circuit
Using an AC Reference
In applications where the reference has AC signal com-
ponents, the MAX525 has multiplying capability within
the reference input range specifications. Figure 12
shows a technique for applying a sine-wave signal to
the reference input where the AC signal is offset before
being applied to REFAB/REFCD. The reference voltage
must never be more negative than DGND.
The MAX525’s total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD
+ N) is typically less than -72dB, given a 1Vp-p signal
swing and input frequencies up to 25kHz. The typical
-3dB frequency is 650kHz, as shown in the Typical
Operating Characteristics graphs.
Digitally Programmable Current Source
The circuit of Figure 13 places an NPN transistor
(2N3904 or similar) within the op-amp feedback loop to
implement a digitally programmable, unidirectional cur-
rent source. This circuit can be used to drive 4mA to
20mA current loops, which are commonly used in
industrial-control applications. The output current is cal-
culated with the following equation:
IOUT = (VREF / R) x (NB / 4096)
where NB is the numeric value of the DAC’s binary
input code and R is the sense resistor shown in
Figure 13.
R1
R2
REF_
+5V
FB_
DAC
MAX525
OUT_
-5V
R1 = R2 = 10kΩ ± 0.1%
+5V
AC
26k
REFERENCE
INPUT
500mVp-p
10k
VOUT
1/2 MAX492
REF_
VDD
DAC_
OUT_
MAX525
AGND
DGND
Figure 11. Bipolar Output Circuit
Figure 12. AC Reference Input Circuit
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