Eight 16-Bit, Low INL, VOUT DACs in a 4mm × 5mm

QFN Package: Unparalleled Density and Flexibility

Leo Chen

While 16-bit VOUT DACs are not uncommon, the power supply. If the output of the DAC is
combination of low INL (±4 LSB) and high density connected to the SET pin of the regula-
tor (Figure 2), the LT3080 acts as a unity
(eight DACs in a 4mm × 5mm QFN package) allows
gain buffer. The DAC simply sinks the
the LTC2656 to fit an unparalleled range of sockets. 10µA from the internal current source
Space-saving features also include a built-in 2ppm/°C and directly controls the output of the
reference, with performance typically reserved for regulator creating a digitally controlled
external references. These characteristics, along with power supply. Should more than 1.1A be
superior offset and gain error specifications, make the needed, multiple LT3080s can be paral-
LTC2656 a powerful device housed in a tiny package. leled to provide more output current.

The LTC2656’s 16 bits of resolution yield

Although the LTC2656 is a formi- linear regulator that can be paralleled to
finer tuning of the LT3080’s output than
dable standalone device, it can be increase output current or spread heat
that of a digital potentiometer. Typical
readily combined with other Linear on surface mounted boards. Typically
digital potentiometers have resolutions of
Technology products to produce the output voltage of the LT3080 is
only 8 bits; high resolution digital pots are
uniquely high performance solutions. adjusted by a resistor at the SET pin of
at 10 bits. The ±4 LSB INL of the LTC2656
the part (Figure 1). A fixed current of
A DIGITALLY CONTROLLED POWER is far superior to the INL of typical digital
10µA flows out of the SET pin through the
SUPPLY USING THE LT3080 1.1A pots. The LTC2656-L combined with an
REGULATOR resistor and the resulting voltage drop
LT3080 results in a power-supply with an
Another noteworthy product in the programs the output of the regulator.
adjustable range of 0V–2.5V, while using
Linear Technology portfolio is the
The LTC2656 can be combined with the the LTC2656-H produces a power supply
LT3080. The LT3080 is a 1.1A low dropout
LT3080 to create a digitally controlled with an adjustable range of 0V–4.096V.

Figure 1. Simple variable output voltage 1.1A supply Figure 2. Digitally controlled version of the power supply in shown in Figure 1 with a 0V–4.096V output range.
For a 0V–2.5V output range use the LTC2656-LI.
5V
MID-SCALE 5V
RESET SELECT
LT3080
VIN IN
ZERO-SCALE
1.2V TO 36V 0.1µF
VCONTROL
VIN
0.1µF 0.1µF
+ 7.5k 4.446V–36V

1µF – IN LT3080
OUT REFCOMP REFIN/OUT LDAC PORSEL VCC CLR
VOUT 0V–4.096V
CS VOUTA
SET TO VCONTROL
SCK VOUTB
2.2µF µC
RSET SDO VOUTC
VOUT = RSET • 10µA SDI LTC2656-HI6 VOUTD
+
VOUTE 1µF –
VOUTF OUT
VOUT
VOUTG
SET 2.2µF
REFLO GND VOUTH

NOTE: LT3080 MINIMUM

LOAD CURRENT IS 0.5mA

24 | April 2010 : LT Journal of Analog Innovation

 design features

Although the LTC2656 is a formidable standalone device,

it can be readily combined with other Linear Technology
products to produce uniquely high performance solutions.

VIN
5V 12V 10.35V TO 36V
GAIN = 4
0.1µF IN LT3080
LT1991 VCC

M9 50k 450k VCONTROL

VCC 0V–2.5V
CS VOUTA
M3 150k
4pF +
SCK VOUTB
SDO VOUTC 1µF –
OUT VOUT
SDI VOUTD M1 450k 0V–10V
–
PORSEL LTC2656-LI6 VOUTE SET 2.2µF
LDAC VOUTF P1 450k OUT
+ NOTE: LT3080 MINIMUM LOAD CURRENT
CLR VOUTG
IS 0.5mA
VOUTH P3 150k
450k
REFIN/OUT GND REFLO REFCOMP
P9 50k

0.1µF 0.1µF VEE 4pF

REF

Figure 3. Expanding the power supply

output range to 0V–10V

The two Linear Technology parts comple-
ment each other very well. The LT3080 has
a max offset of 2mV in the DFN package,
while the LTC2656 has a max offset of
±2mV. This means that there will only
be a slight degradation in offset perfor-
mance when combining these two parts.
This circuit can also be easily replicated at
each of the DAC outputs in order to create
an 8-channel adjustable power supply.
ADDING THE LT1991 TO ADJUST
OUTPUT RANGE
The LTC2656-H combined with an LT3080
provides a nice digitally controlled
1.1A power supply with an output range
from 0V to 4.096V. However, should the
user need a wider output range than what
that particular circuit offers, there is an
LTC part that provides an easy solution.
The LT1991 is a micropower precision gain
selectable amplifier. It combines a preci-
sion op amp with eight precision matched
resistors in a small package. Using the

Figure 4. Expanding the power supply

output range to 0V–12V VIN
5V
12.46V TO 36V
15V
GAIN = 4.844
0.1µF IN LT3080
LT1991 VCC

M9 50k 450k VCONTROL

VCC 0V–2.5V
CS VOUTA
M3 150k
4pF +
SCK VOUTB
SDO VOUTC 1µF –
OUT VOUT
SDI VOUTD M1 450k 0V–12.11V
–
PORSEL LTC2656-LI6 VOUTE SET 2.2µF
LDAC VOUTF P1 450k OUT
+ NOTE: LT3080 MINIMUM LOAD CURRENT
CLR VOUTG
IS 0.5mA
VOUTH P3 150k
450k
REFIN/OUT GND REFLO REFCOMP
P9 50k

0.1µF 0.1µF VEE 4pF

REF

April 2010 : LT Journal of Analog Innovation | 25

LT1991 eliminates the need for any expen- 12V

sive external precision gain setting resis- 0.1µF

tors. Gain can be set by simply changing +
LTC6240
how the input pins are connected, which LT1991 VCC
–
in turn changes how the internal preci- M9 50k 450k

sion resistors set the gain of the op amp. 4pF

5V M3 150k

The limiting factor in output range of 0.1µF M1 450k

the LTC2656-LT3080 circuit is the output –
VOUT
range of the LTC2656. The LT3080 is fully VCC 0V–2.5V 450k ±5V
P1 OUT
CS VOUTA +
capable of going all the way up to 36V, SCK VOUTB
P3 150k
however the DAC output at the SET pin SDO VOUTC 450k
SDI VOUTD
is limited to 4.096V which in turn limits P9 50k
PORSEL LTC2656-LI6 VOUTE
4pF
the output of the regulator. This hurdle LDAC VOUTF
VEE REF

is easily overcome by adding an LT1991 CLR VOUTG

VOUTH
between the output of the LTC2656 and the 0.1µF
–12V
REFIN/OUT GND REFLO REFCOMP
SET pin of the LT3080. The LT1991 expands
the output range of the DAC, which in 0.1µF
0.1µF
turn sets the output range of the LT3080. Figure 5. Using the LT1991 to shift the LTC2656
output range to ±5V
The LT1991 standard grade has 0.08%
gain accuracy and 100µV offset, so there
USING THE LT1991 TO GO BIPOLAR (Figure 5), a ±10V output (Figure 6) and
should be no degradation in performance
While the LTC2656 does come in two a variety of other bipolar voltages.
of the DAC. With a maximum gain of 13
flavors, neither one is capable of a bipolar
and a supply range of 40V, the LT1991 As stated before, the LT1991 has the
output. This again is a situation where the
can stretch the DAC output range to advantage of not requiring expensive
LT1991 proves its mettle. Using a com-
match that of the LT3080. Typical out- external precision gain set resistors.
bination of gain and offset, the LT1991
put ranges such as 0V–10V (Figure 3) and While some users might balk at using a
can be combined with the LTC2656 to
0V–12V (Figure 4) are easily achieved. multichip solution in order to achieve a
form circuits that provide a ±5V output

12V 12V
+
LTC6240 0.1µF 0.1µF

–
LT1991 VCC LT1991 VCC

M9 50k 450k M9 50k 450k

5V
4pF 4pF
M3 150k M3 150k
0.1µF

M1 450k M1 450k
VCC 0V–2.5V – –
CS VOUTA VOUT
±5V
SCK VOUTB P1 450k 450k ±10V
OUT P1 OUT
+ +
SDO VOUTC
SDI VOUTD P3 150k P3 150k
450k 450k
PORSEL LTC2656-LI6 VOUTE
LDAC VOUTF P9 50k P9 50k

CLR VOUTG VEE 4pF VEE 4pF

REF REF
VOUTH

REFIN/OUT GND REFLO REFCOMP

0.1µF 0.1µF
–12V –12V
0.1µF
0.1µF

Figure 6. Using the LT1991 to shift the LTC2656 output range to ±10V

26 | April 2010 : LT Journal of Analog Innovation

 design features

space equation while likely producing outputs, it is possible to drive all of the
significant performance improvements. LTC2656 from a single internal refer-
ence. This is accomplished by tying the
GOING ALL THE WAY TO GROUND
REFCOMP pin low on all but one of the
5V The LTC2656 has unmatched offset per-
DACs while also issuing the internal
0.1µF
formance, and its ouput can swing within
reference shutdown command through
3mV of ground. For applicatons requiring
D1 the digital interface. The one DAC with
VCC BAS70 the outputs to go completely to the lower
CS VOUTA REFCOMP not tied to GND becomes the
SCK VOUTB supply rail, some additional circuitry, in
master reference, the REFIN/REFOUT pin of
SDO VOUTC 10k the form of a Schottky diode and pull-
SDI VOUTD this DAC feeds into the REFIN/REFOUT pin
down resistor, must be added (Figure 7).
PORSEL LTC2656 VOUTE –5V on all the other DACs. All of the DACs on
LDAC VOUTF
The pull-down resistor forces the ampli- the board are thus driven from a single
CLR VOUTG
VOUTH fier’s pull-up stage to turn on. With the internal reference, avoiding variances
REFIN/OUT GND REFLO REFCOMP pull-up stage turned on on, the output in the respective reference outputs.
loop is correctly closed, putting the ampli-
0.1µF 0.1µF It is important to have the correct bypass
fier back into regulation. The Schottky
capacitors in place at each of the reference
diode prevents the output from being
inputs (Figure 8). The master reference
driven far below ground during power-up
Figure 7. Achieving true rail-to-rail should be treated similarly to a discrete
or when the DAC is placed into shutdown.
performance with the LTC2656 reference during board layout and design.
LINKING MULTIPLE LTC2656s TO
THE SAME REFERENCE CONCLUSION
bipolar output, it is worth pointing out The LTC2656 offers superior accuracy,
When a design calls for more than
that the LTC2656 already saves space by precision and DAC density without the
the eight channels available in a sin-
eliminating the need for an external refer- need for an external reference, thus
gle LTC2656, the SPI interface of the
ence. Also, many bipolar DACs require reducing overall part count and foot-
DAC allows for easy expansion.
an external op amp to convert a current print. It can be easily inserted into a
output to a voltage anyway, so in the When the application demands high wide variety of applications to solve
end, the LT1991 adds little to the board precision matching between all analog otherwise intractable problems. n

Figure 8. Driving multiple LTC2656s with a single internal reference

INDIVIDUAL
DAC CHIP
SELECT LINES

COMMON INPUT

COMMON CLOCK
VCC VCC VCC

0.1µF 0.1µF 0.1µF

VCC VCC VCC

CS VOUTA CS VOUTA CS VOUTA
SCK VOUTB SCK VOUTB SCK VOUTB
SDO VOUTC SDO VOUTC SDO VOUTC
SDI VOUTD SDI VOUTD SDI VOUTD
PORSEL LTC2656 VOUTE PORSEL LTC2656 VOUTE PORSEL LTC2656 VOUTE
LDAC VOUTF LDAC VOUTF LDAC VOUTF
CLR VOUTG CLR VOUTG CLR VOUTG
VOUTH VOUTH VOUTH

REFIN/OUT GND REFLO REFCOMP REFIN/OUT GND REFLO REFCOMP REFIN/OUT GND REFLO REFCOMP

0.1µF 0.1µF 0.1µF 0.1µF

April 2010 : LT Journal of Analog Innovation | 27