Precise 16 bit DAC

Linear Technology has introduced the LTC1592, claimed to be the only 16-bit current output DAC that has a software programmable output range.

The SoftSpan DAC is easily programmed via a three-wire serial interface to operate in any one of six possible output ranges: two unipolar (0 to 5 V, to 10 V) and four bipolar (±2.5, ±5, ±10 and -2.5 V to 7.5 V).

All output spans have ultra-precise specifications of ±1LSB INL, ±1LSB DNL and good gain specifications over the industrial temperature range.

Gone are the precision resistors, switches and external amplifiers required for range switching.

A single board design can serve several applications, such as instrumentation and data acquisition, without the need for jumpers to obtain different versions of the board. The only external components needed to get the SoftSpan DAC up and running are a precision 5 V reference, a dual op amp and a feedback capacitor.

For fast settling 16-bit precision industrial applications, the LTC1592 and the LT1468 (LT1469 dual) op amp can be chosen to achieve 2 µs settling times to 0.0015% for a 10 V step. The 1592 has an ultra low 2 nV-s glitch impulse, which helps achieve low distortion in digital waveform generation and reduces overshoot in industrial and process control, and optical switches and filters for communications applications.

The asynchronous clear pin always resets the device to zero Volts output regardless of the output range selected.

The LTC1592 is available in a 16-pin SSOP package.