1.0 Functional Description
1.1 DAC SECTION
The DAC081S101 is fabricated on a CMOS process with an
architecture that consists of switches and a resistor string that
are followed by an output buffer. The power supply serves as
the reference voltage. The input coding is straight binary with
an ideal output voltage of:
VOUT = VA x (D / 256)
where D is the decimal equivalent of the binary code that is
loaded into the DAC register and can take on any value be-
tween 0 and 255.
1.2 RESISTOR STRING
The resistor string is shown in Figure 3. This string consists
of 4096 equal valued resistors with a switch at each junction
of two resistors, plus a switch to ground. The code loaded into
the DAC register determines which switch is closed, connect-
ing the proper node to the amplifier. This configuration guar-
antees that the DAC is monotonic.
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FIGURE 3. DAC Resistor String
1.3 OUTPUT AMPLIFIER
The output buffer amplifier is a rail-to-rail type, providing an
output voltage range of 0V to VA. All amplifiers, even rail-to-
rail types, exhibit a loss of linearity as the output approaches
the supply rails (0V and VA, in this case). For this reason,
linearity is specified over less than the full output range of the
DAC. The output capabilities of the amplifier are described in
the Electrical Tables.
1.4 SERIAL INTERFACE
The three-wire interface is compatible with SPI, QSPI and
MICROWIRE as well as most DSPs. See the Timing Diagram
for information on a write sequence.
A write sequence begins by bringing the SYNC line low. Once
SYNC is low, the data on the DIN line is clocked into the 16-
bit serial input register on the falling edges of SCLK. On the
16th falling clock edge, the last data bit is clocked in and the
programmed function (a change in the mode of operation and/
or a change in the DAC register contents) is executed. At this
point the SYNC line may be kept low or brought high. In either
case, it must be brought high for the minimum specified time
before the next write sequence as a falling edge of SYNC is
used to initiate the next write cycle.
Since the SYNC and DIN buffers draw more current when they
are high, they should be idled low between write sequences
to minimize power consumption.
1.5 INPUT SHIFT REGISTER
The input shift register, Figure 4, has sixteen bits. The first
two bits are "don't cares" and are followed by two bits that
determine the mode of operation (normal mode or one of
three power-down modes). The contents of the serial input
register are transferred to the DAC register on the sixteenth
falling edge of SCLK. See Timing Diagram, Figure 2.
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FIGURE 4. Input Register Contents
Normally, the SYNC line is kept low for at least 16 falling
edges of SCLK and the DAC is updated on the 16th SCLK
falling edge. However, if SYNC is brought high before the 16th
falling edge, the shift register is reset and the write sequence
is invalid. The DAC register is not updated and there is no
change in the mode of operation or in the output voltage.
1.6 POWER-ON RESET
The power-on reset circuit controls the output voltage during
power-up. Upon application of power the DAC register is filled
with zeros and the output voltage is 0 Volts and remains there
until a valid write sequence is made to the DAC.
1.7 POWER-DOWN MODES
The DAC081S101 has four modes of operation. These
modes are set with two bits (DB13 and DB12) in the control
register.
TABLE 1. Modes of Operation
DB13 DB12 Operating Mode
0 0 Normal Operation
0 1 Power-Down with 1kΩ to GND
1 0 Power-Down with 100kΩ to GND
1 1 Power-Down with Hi-Z
When both DB13 and DB12 are 0, the device operates nor-
mally. For the other three possible combinations of these bits
the supply current drops to its power-down level and the out-
put is pulled down with either a 1kΩ or a 100KΩ resistor, or
is in a high impedance state, as described in Table 1.
The bias generator, output amplifier, the resistor string and
other linear circuitry are all shut down in any of the power-
down modes. However, the contents of the DAC register are
unaffected when in power-down, so when coming out of pow-
er down the output voltage returns to the same voltage it was
before entering power down. Minimum power consumption is
achieved in the power-down mode with SCLK disabled and
SYNC and DIN idled low. The time to exit power-down (Wake-
Up Time) is typically tWU µsec as stated in the A.C. and Timing
Characteristics Table.
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DAC081S101