DACs simplify factory process control and industrial system

By eliminating the need for bulky discrete analogue circuitry and mechanical pin-strapped configurations, the DACs reduce board space by as much as 70 percent compared to competing solutions, enabling system design engineers to deliver more cost- and space-efficient industrial equipment.

“Our newest DACs provide a compact and intelligently integrated solution for 4–20 mA transmitters and analogue I/O systems, meeting the growing demand for feature-rich, highly reliable programmable automation controllers,” said Mike Britchfield, product line director, Precision Data Converters, Analog Devices. “These devices offer industrial designers a high-performance, 16-bit control system that provides excellent drift and stability specifications, while reducing system inaccuracies and cost by eliminating multi-temperature factory calibration sequences.”

The new products, which include the AD5422, AD5420, AD5412, and AD5410, leverage the technological advancements enabled by Analog Devices’ iCMOSTM industrial process technology, allowing them to achieve the high voltages needed by industrial applications. The AD5422 single-channel 16-bit DAC operates from a single 12-V to 48-V supply, or dual ±12 V to ±24 V supplies. The output configuration is software selectable from options of 5 V, 10 V, ±5 V and ±10 V in voltage mode and 4–20 mA, 0–20 mA, and 0–24 mA in current mode. All output spans include an additional over-range setting.

The AD5422 achieves an accuracy level of 0.1 percent TUE (total unadjusted error) while operating in voltage or current mode and includes a precision 5-ppm/ºC internal reference. Internal fault detection circuitry provides hardware and software indication of line faults, such as opens or shorts in cable wiring or remotely located loads. The device also integrates an over-temperature indicator. To sense output voltage, it includes a buffered voltage output with force and sense capability that can compensate for series protection resistors and field-wiring resistance. The on-chip programmable precision output amplifier allows rail-to-rail output swing to be achieved, maximi sing dynamic range and enabling the device to deliver the performance needed in a wide variety of industrial applications. Analog outputs can drive capacitive loads up to 1 uF and inductive loads up to 1 H.

The AD5412 is a pin-compatible single-channel 12-bit current source and voltage output DAC. The AD5420 (16-bit) and AD5410 (12-bit) operate in current source mode only. With a single 12 V to 60 V supply, their output configuration is software selectable from 4–20 mA, 0–20 mA and 0–24 mA options.

The new DACs incorporate a 30-MHz serial peripheral interface (SPI), power-on reset and hardware CLR and CLR- select functionality for output control. Each device is fully specified over the industrial temperature range.


All of the devices are housed in 24-lead TSSOP (thin-shrink small-outline) and 40-lead LFCSP (lead-frame chip-scale) packages. Sample units are now available.