D/A Conversion and A/D Conversion A digital-to-analog converter, or simply DAC, is a semiconductor device that is used to convert a digital

code into an analog signal. Digital-to-analog conversion is the primary means by which digital equipment such as computerbased systems are able to translate digital data into real-world signals that are more understandable to or useable by humans, such as music, speech, pictures, video, and the like. It also allows digital control of machines, equipment, household appliances, and the like. Variable-Resistor Network Binary equivalent weight: The fraction of weight pushed by a binary digit across voltage.

Variable-Resistor Network

Resistor divider The resistor divider must do two things to change the digital input into an equivalent analog output voltage. 1. The 20 bit must be changed to +1V, and 21 bit must be changed to +2V, and 22 bit must be changed to +4V. 2. These three voltages representing the digital bits must be summed together to form the analog output voltage.

Binary Ladders The binary ladder is a resistive network whose output voltage is a properly weighted sum of the digital inputs.

D/A Converters

Multiple Signals Decoding a number of signals

Channel selection method (b) Multiplex method

D/A Converter Testing 1. The steady-state accuracy test involves setting a known digital number in the input register, measuring the analog output with an accurate meter, and comparing with the theoretical value. 2. Checking for monotonicity means checking that the output voltage increases regularly as the input digital signal increases correct output voltage waveform for monotonicity test.

D/A Accuracy and Resolution The accuracy of the D/A converter is primarily a function of the accuracy of the precision resistors used in the ladder and the precision of the reference voltage supply used. Accuracy is the measure of how close the actual output voltage is to the theoretical output voltage. Resolution, on the other hand, defines the smallest increment in voltage that can be discerned. Resolution is primarily a function of the number of bits in the digital input signal. The process of converting an analog voltage into an equivalent digital signal is known as analog-to-digital conversion

(a) Logic diagram. (b) Comparator outputs for input voltage ranges A/D Techniques Successive Approximation The successive approximation method thus is the process of approximating the analog voltage by trying 1 bit at a time beginning with the MSB. The ADC0804 The ADC0804 is an 8-bit CMOS microprocessor-compatible successive approximation A/D converter that is supplied in 20-pin DIP. It is capable of digitizing an analog input voltage within the

range 0 to +5 Vdc. The digital output are both TTL- and CMOScompatible.

A/D Accuracy and Resolution

Since the A/D converter is a closed-loop system involving both analog and digital systems, the overall accuracy must include errors from both the analog and digital positions. In determining the overall accuracy it is easiest to separate the two sources of error.

Quantization error The error inherited in any digital system due to the size of the LSB. Differential linearity It is the measure of the variation in voltage-step size that causes the converter to change from one state to the next.