Ana 6

Lecture 6
Digital to Analog Converters
(DAC)
Objectives
• The objectives of this lecture are to understand:
• how a binary-weighted-resister DAC can be used to
convert digital quantities to analog quantities.
• how an R-2R resistor ladder DAC can be used to convert
binary numbers to analog numbers.
• the meaning of the terms used to specify DAC accuracy
Introduction
 Physical (Real) world signals are typically "analog" or continuously varying quantities.
 In order to use the power of digital electronics, one must convert from analog to
digital form on the input side and convert from digital to analog form on the output
end of a system.
 A digital signal processing scheme (Figure 8.1), consists of:
• an anti-aliasing filter, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a
digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a reconstruction (anti-image) filter.
What is a DAC?
• A digital to analog converter (DAC) converts a digital signal
to an analog voltage or current output as shown in Figure
8.2.
100101… DAC
Types of DACs
• Many types of DACs are available.
• Usually switches, resistors, and op-amps are used to
implement DACs
• Two Types:
• DAC using Binary Weighted Resistor
• DAC using R-2R Ladder resistors
DAC Symbol
DAC using Binary-Weighted Resistors
• Figure 8.3 shows a 4-bit DAC using binary-weighted resistors.

It utilizes a summing op-amp circuit
• Weighted resistors are used to distinguish each bit from the most
significant bit (b3) to the least significant bit (b0).
• Transistors are used to switch between Vref (when the bit is 1) and
ground (when the bit is 0)
• Thus, the number of binary inputs is four.

• The number of analog outputs is 24 = 16.
Figure 8.3: Digital to Analog Converter using Binary-Weighted Resistors
Operation
• The circuit is basically working as a current to voltage converter.
• b0 is closed (b0 = 1) all other switches open
• R will be connected directly to the +5V.
• Thus, the voltage across R = b0 Vref = 5V
• Current through R = b0 Vref/R = 5V/10 k = 0.5 mA
• Current through feedback resistor = 0.5mA (Since, Input bias current, IB is
negligible)
• Thus, output voltage = - I Rf = -(1 kΩ)*(0.5 mA) = - 0.5 V
Operation
• b1 is closed (b1 = 1), all other switches open
• R/2 will be connected to the positive supply of the +5V.
• Current through R/2 = b1 Vref/(R/2) = 5V/5 k = 1 mA.
• Current through feedback resistor = 1 mA.
• Thus, output voltage = - I Rf = -(1 kΩ)*(1 mA) = - 1 V
Operation
• b0 and b1 are closed, other switches open
• Current through Rf = 1.5mA
• Output voltage = -(1 kΩ)*(1.5 mA) = - 1.5 V
• Naturally, the output will be maximum if the switches (b0-b3) are closed
• In general
DAC Graph
• Figure 8.4 shows the 16 combinations of the analog output.
• Figure 8.5 shows that the output is a negative going staircase waveform with
15 steps of -0.5V each.
• The value of the feedback resistor Rf changes the size of the steps.
• Thus, a desired size for a step can be obtained by connecting the appropriate
feedback resistor.
• The only condition to look out for is that the maximum output voltage
should not exceed the saturation levels of the op-amp.
• Metal-film resistors are more preferred for obtaining accurate outputs.
DAC Graph
Analog Output Signal
Digital Input Signal
• Figure 8.4: The analog outputs versus possible combinations of inputs.

• Figure 8.5: The graph with the analog outputs versus possible combinations of inputs.
Advantages and Disadvantages
• Advantages
• Simple Construction/Analysis
• Fast Conversion
• Disadvantages
• Requires large range of resistors (2000:1 for 12-bit DAC) with
necessary high precision for low resistors
• Requires low switch resistances in transistors
• Can be expensive.
• Therefore, usually limited to 8-bit resolution.

DAC using R and 2R Ladder Resistors
• A DAC with R and 2R resistors is shown in the Figure 8.6.

• As in the binary-weighted resistors method, the binary inputs are simulated
by the switches (b0-b3), and the output is proportional to the binary inputs.
• Binary inputs can be either in the HIGH (+5V) or LOW (0V) state.
• Each bit corresponds to a switch: If the bit is high, the corresponding switch
is connected to the inverting input of the op-amp. If the bit is low, the
corresponding switch is connected to ground.
Figure 8.6: DAC using R-2R Ladder
Operation
• Let b3 be the most significant bit and thus is connected to the +5V and all
the other switches are connected to the ground.
• Thus, according to Thevenins equivalent resistance, RTH,
• RTH = [{[(2RII2R + R)} II2R] + R}II2R] + R = 2R = 20 kΩ.
• The resultant circuit is shown in Figure 8.7 and Figure 8.8.

Operation
V0
Vref V2 V1 V0
Ideal Op-amp
2R 2R
Req 
2 R 2 R 
R
2 R  2 R 
Figure 8.7
Vref V2 V1 V0 V1 V0
R R
I
Likewise,
Vout
Figure 8.8
Operation
Vout  IR
• Where b3 corresponds to bit 3, b2 to bit 2, etc.

• If bit n is set, bn=1. If bit n is clear, bn=0
Figure 8.9 shows that the output for Rf = 2R. The output is a negative going staircase
waveform with 15 steps of -0.625V each.
Figure 8.9: DAC with R and 2R Resistors – Resultant Circuit Graph
Advantages and Disadvantages
• Advantages
• Only two resistor values (R and 2R)
• Does not require high precision resistors
• Disadvantage
• Lower conversion speed than binary weighted DAC
Specifications of DACs
• Resolution
• Speed
• Linearity
• Settling Time
• Reference Voltages
• Errors
Resolution
• Smallest analog increment corresponding to 1 LSB change
• An N-bit resolution can resolve 2N distinct analog levels
• Common DAC has a 8-16 bit resolution
Vref
Resolution VLSB  N
2
where N number of bits
Speed
• Rate of conversion of a single digital input to its analog equivalent
• Conversion rate depends on

• clock speed of input signal
• settling time of converter
• When the input changes rapidly, the DAC conversion speed must
be high.
Linearity
• The difference between the desired analog output and the actual output
over the full range of expected values.
0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101

Digital Input Signal
Linearity
• Ideally, a DAC should produce a linear relationship between the digital input
and analog output
Linearity (Ideal) Non-Linearity


0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101 0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101
Digital Input Signal Digital Input Signal
Settling Time
• Time required for the output signal to settle within +/- ½ LSB of its final
value after a given change in input scale
• Limited by slew rate of output amplifier
• Ideally, an instantaneous change in analog voltage would occur when a new
binary word enters into DAC
Reference Voltages
• Used to determine how each digital input will be
assigned to each voltage division
• Types:
• Non-multiplier DAC: Vref is fixed
• Multiplier DAC: Vref provided by external source
Types of Errors Associated with DACs
• Gain
• Offset
• Full Scale
• Resolution
• Non-Linearity
• Non-Monotonic
• Settling Time and Overshoot

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Lecture 6

Digital to Analog Converters

• Figure 8.3 shows a 4-bit DAC using binary-weighted resistors.

• Thus, the number of binary inputs is four.

Digital Input Signal

• Figure 8.4: The analog outputs versus possible combinations of inputs.

• Therefore, usually limited to 8-bit resolution.

• A DAC with R and 2R resistors is shown in the Figure 8.6.

• Thus, according to Thevenins equivalent resistance, RTH,

• RTH = [{[(2RII2R + R)} II2R] + R}II2R] + R = 2R = 20 kΩ.

• The resultant circuit is shown in Figure 8.7 and Figure 8.8.

• Where b3 corresponds to bit 3, b2 to bit 2, etc.

• Conversion rate depends on

0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101

Linearity (Ideal) Non-Linearity

Analog Output Signal

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