DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTERS

MOMONGAN, JENNIE C.
Introduction to Digital to Analog Converters (DAC)
• device that converts binary values (0s
and 1s) to a set of continuous analog
voltages.

DAC Working

• The binary system is a positional system,

i.e. a place value system, with each bit
representing the presence or absence of
a certain power of two in the total sum of
the powers.
Types of DACs
1. SUMMING AMPLIFIER

• an op-amp amplifier with multiple resistors connected to one

input.
• binary input goes into the resistors and the analog output is
obtained on the output of the op-amp.
2. R-2R LADDER
• needs only two resistor values arranged in a ladder.
• binary input goes into the 2R resistors and the output
is obtained at the bottom of the ladder.
3. PWM DAC

• On the outset the PWM signal looks like a binary waveform with
only high and low peaks with a variable duty cycle (ratio of on
time to time period).
• intended to be used with a RC filter to convert the PWM signal
into a voltage value
APPLICATIONS OF DACs
1. Digital Signal Processing
• mathematical manipulation
of an information signal,
such as audio, temperature,
voice, and video and modify
or improve them in some
manner.
2. Digital Power Supplies
• being used increasingly as
they are able to provide
improved levels of
performance over more
traditional power supplies.
DRAWBACKS OF DACs

1. Accuracy
2. Complexity
EXAMPLE #1
Vo = ?
SOLUTION: