Microchip Technology Inc. has announced a solution to this problem with its MCP47/48FxBx8 family of 12-bit octal DACs , the first of their kind to incorporate non-volatile memory and an integrated voltage reference source (Vref) so that they can be pre-configured for safe and efficient booting without relying on the system processor.
“Portable and handheld devices are expected to offer more capabilities in smaller, simpler designs,” said Bryan J. Liddiard, vice president of Microchip’s mixed-signal and linear business unit. “We’re helping achieve this goal with the first DACs that take the load off the processor during startup and provide the channel density, low power consumption, and integrated features that today’s compact systems need to operate for extended periods with smaller, lighter batteries.”.
Unlike DACs that lack non-volatile memory, the MCP47/48FxBx8 DACs can store each user's configuration data even without power. Upon startup, all eight channels are configured to their predefined state without accessing the system processor. Integrating a Vref source into the DACs reduces the overall size and complexity of the system while providing the necessary control to meet critical synchronization requirements and reliably manage all power outputs. This family of devices also offers SPI and I2C serial interfaces to provide designers with maximum flexibility in device communications.
The low minimum operating voltage of these DACs, with a working voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V, combined with their high efficiency, improves thermal performance and reliability. The DACs also offer reset protection against incorrect power supply or voltage and one of the fastest stabilization times on the market at 5 microseconds across the extended temperature range (-40°C to +125°C) required by industrial and automotive applications.
The MCP47/48FxBx8 DAC family is now available for bulk orders. The family consists of 8, 10, and 12-bit devices in 5 x 5 mm 20-pin VQFN and 20-pin TSSOP packages. The starting price is $2.47 per unit for orders of 5,000 units.
