SP9502DS/02
SP9502 Dual, 12-Bit, Voltage Output D/A Converter
5
Copyright 1999 Sipex Corporation
most significant bits (MSBs), allowing an 8-bit
MSB-justified interface. All data inputs are
enabled using the CS signal in both modes. The
digital inputs are designed to be both TTL and 5V
CMOS compatible.
In order to reduce the DAC full scale output
sensitivity to the large weighting of the MSB’s
found in conventional R-2R resistor ladders, the 3
MSB’s are decoded into 8 equally weighted levels.
This reduces the contribution of each bit by a factor
of 4, thus, reducing the output sensitivity to mis-
matches in resistors and switches by the same
amount. Linearity errors and stability are both
improved for the same reasons. Each D/A con-
verter is separated from the data bus by two reg-
isters, each consisting of level-triggered latches,
Figure 1
. The first register (input register) is 12-
bits wide. The input register is selected by the
address input A
and A
and is enabled by the CS
and WR1 signals. In the 8-bit mode, the enable
signal to the 8 MSB’s is disabled by a logic low
on B1/B2 to allow the 4 LSB’s to be updated. The
second register (DAC register), accepts the de-
coded 3 MSB’s plus the 9 LSB’s. The two DAC
registers are updated simultaneously for both
DAC’s using the XFER and WR2 signals. Using
the CLR and WR2 signals or the power-on-reset,
(enabled when the power is switched on) the DAC
registers are set to 1000 0000 0000 and the DAC
outputs will settle to 0V.
Using the control logic inputs, the user has full
control of address decoding, chip enable, data
transfer and clearing of the DAC’s. The control
logic inputs are level triggered, and like the data
inputs, are TTL and CMOS compatible. The truth
table (
Table 2
) shows the appropriate functions
associated with the states of the control logic
inputs.
The DACs themselves are implemented with a
precision thin–film resistor network and CMOS
transmission gate switches. Each D/A converter is
used to convert the 12-bit input from its DAC
register to a precision voltage.
The bipolar voltage output of the
SP9502
is
created on-chip from the DAC Voltage Output
(V
) by using an operational amplifier and two
feedback resistors connected as shown in
Figure 2
.
This configuration produces a
±
4.5V bipolar output
range with standard offset binary coding. (See
Table 1
)
THEORY OF OPERATION
The
SP9502
consists of five main functional blocks
— input data multiplexer, data registers, control
logic,12-bit D/A converters, and two bipolar
output voltage amplifiers. The input data multi-
plexer is designed to interface to either 12- or 8-bit
microprocessor data busses. The input data format
is controlled by the B1/B2 signal — a logic “1”
selects the 12-bit mode, while a logic “0” selects
the 8-bit mode. In the 12-bit mode the data is
transferred to the input registers without changes
in its format. In the 8-bit mode, the four least
significant bits (LSBs) are connected to the four
FEATURES
The
SP9502
is a low power, dual version of the
popular SP9345, Quad 12-Bit Digital-to-Analog
Converter. This Dual, Voltage Output, 12-Bit
Digital-to-Analog Converter features
±
4.5V output
swings when using
±
5 volt supplies. The input
coding format used is standard offset binary.
(Refer to
Table 1
below.)
The converter utilizes double-buffering on each of
the 12 parallel digital inputs, for easy microprocessor
interface. Each 12-bit DAC is independently
addressable and both DACS may be simulta-
neously updated using a single XFER command.
The output settling-time is specified at 4
μ
s to full
12–bit accuracy when driving a 5Kohm, 50pf load
combination. The
SP9502
, Dual 12-Bit Digital-
to-Analog Converter is ideally suited for applica-
tions such as ATE, process controllers, robotics,
and instrumentation. The
SP9502
is available in
28–pin plastic SOIC and plastic DIP packages,
specified over the commercial (0
°
C to +70
°
C)
temperature range.
Table 1. Offset Binary Coding
INPUT
OUTPUT
MSB
LSB
1111
1111
1111
VREF - 1 LSB
1111
1111
1110
VREF - 2 LSB
1000
0000
0001
0 + 1 LSB
1000
0000
0000
0
0000
0000
0001
-VREF + 1 LSB
0000
0000
0000
1 LSB = 2V
REF
-VREF
2
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