In many applications it is impractical to sense the output
voltage at the output pin. Sensing the output voltage at the
system ground point is permissible with the DAC700 family
because the D/A converter is designed to have a constant
return current of approximately 2mA flowing from Com-
mon. The variation in this current is under 20µA (with
changing input codes), therefore R4 can be as large as 3Ω
without adversely affecting the linearity of the D/A con-
verter. The voltage drop across R4 (R4 x 2mA) appears as a
zero error and can be removed with the zero calibration
adjustment. This alternate sensing point (the system ground
point) is shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8.
Zero Adjustment
For unipolar (CSB) configurations, apply the digital input
code that produces zero voltage or zero current output and
adjust the zero potentiometer for zero output.
For bipolar (COB, CTC) configurations, apply the digital
input code that produces zero output voltage or current. See
Table II for corresponding codes and the Connection Dia-
gram for zero adjustment circuit connections. Zero calibra-
tion should be made before gain calibration.
Gain Adjustment
Apply the digital input that gives the maximum positive
output voltage. Adjust the gain potentiometer for this posi-
tive full scale voltage. See Table II for positive full scale
voltages and the Connection Diagram for gain adjustment
circuit connections.
Figures 7 and 8 show two methods of connecting the current
output models (DAC702) with external precision output op
amps. By sensing the output voltage at the load resistor (ie,
by connecting RF to the output of A1 at RL), the effect of R1
and R2 is greatly reduced. R1 will cause a gain error but is
independent of the value of RL and can be eliminated by
initial calibration adjustments. The effect of R2 is negligible
because it is inside the feedback loop of the output op amp
and is therefore greatly reduced by the loop gain.
INSTALLATION
CONSIDERATIONS
This D/A converter family is laser-trimmed to 14-bit linear-
ity. The design of the device makes the 16-bit resolution
available. If 16-bit resolution is not required, bit 15 and bit
16 should be connected to VDD through a single 1kΩ
resistor.
DAC701
RF 5kΩ
Due to the extremely high resolution and linearity of the
D/A converter, system design problems such as grounding
and contact resistance become very important. For a 16-bit
converter with a 10V full-scale range, 1LSB is 153µV. With
a load current of 5mA, series wiring and connector resis-
tance of only 30mΩ will cause the output to be in error by
1LSB. To understand what this means in terms of a system
layout, the resistance of #23 wire is about 0.021Ω/ft. Ne-
glecting contact resistance, less than 18 inches of wire will
produce a 1LSB error in the analog output voltage!
VOUT
A1
RDAC
4kΩ
R2
R3
RB*
RL
Common
Alternate Ground
Sense Connection
R4
Sense Output
+V
COM
–V
To +V
CC
1µF
±15VDC
Supply
In Figures 6, 7, and 8, lead and contact resistances are
represented by R1 through R5. As long as the load resistance
RL is constant, R2 simply introduces a gain error and can be
removed during initial calibration. R3 is part of RL, if the
output voltage is sensed at Common, and therefore intro-
duces no error. If RL is variable, then R2 should be less than
1µF
1µF
To –V
CC
System Ground
Point
+V
To VDD
COM
+5VDC
Supply
R
L MIN/216 to reduce voltage drops due to wiring to less than
* RB = 2kΩ (DAC701 and DAC703)
1LSB. For example, if RL MIN is 5kΩ, then R2 should be less
than 0.08Ω. RL should be located as close as possible to the
D/A converter for optimum performance. The effect of R4 is
negligible.
FIGURE 6. Output Circuit for Voltage Models.
®
8
DAC701, 702, 703