The linearity of ±8 LSB INL for the 16-bit DAC and ±1 LSB INL for the 12-bit DAC and flexibility of these DACs make them ideal for industrial process control and portable instrumentation applications, such as communication systems, programmable logic controllers, servo loops, and automatic test equipment. Other broad-based applications include automatic tuning, gain and offset adjustment, power amplifier control, data acquisition, programmable voltage, and current sources. The integrated voltage reference has a temperature coefficient of 10ppm/°C. All DAC outputs are buffered.
A pin-programmable zero/midscale DAC output ensures that the DAC output powers up to the desired state, even during a loss-of-power event. This output provides additional safety for applications that drive valves or other transducers that need to be off during power-up. Each DAC features a software-controlled power-down mode for each channel. To conserve power when all four channels are powered down, the internal reference and biasing circuits also power down to consume only 300nA shutdown current. The devices accept a 3-wire SPI-/QSPI-/MICROWIRE-/DSP-compatible serial interface, which saves board space and reduces the complexity of optically-isolated and transformer-isolated applications. To reduce the number of optocouplers in isolated applications, the serial interface features a READY output for easy daisy chaining of several MAX5134–MAX5137 devices and/or other compatible devices.
These parts are offered in a 4mm x 4mm TQFN package and are guaranteed monotonic to 16 bits. Prices start at $9.95 for the MAX5134, $4.75 for the MAX5135, $5.75 for the MAX5136, and $2.50 for the MAX5137 (1000-up, FOB USA). Samples and evaluation kits are available.
