Microchip Technology Releases 12-bit Quad DAC With Non-Volatile EEPROM
Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, announced the MCP4728 Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) – described as the industry’s first 12-bit Quad DAC to include non-volatile EEPROM, which enables the DAC’s configuration to be loaded automatically on start up. With this capability, plus its four-channel architecture and internal voltage reference, the MCP4728 DAC is said to reduce design size and cost for a variety of battery-powered and power-constrained applications.
Non-volatile EEPROM provides designers the flexibility to program MCP4728 DAC input codes, configuration bits and I2C™ address bits to the EEPROM using I²C serial-interface commands. The result is that this data is held during power-off time, making the MCP4728 DAC’s configuration and outputs available immediately after power-up. Additionally, each channel in the MCP4728 DAC can be individually shut down, thereby reducing power consumption to as low as 0.04µA, which helps to extend battery life. Further, the on-chip precision output amplifier enables a rail-to-rail analog output, for utilization of the entire voltage range.
"Microchip has utilized its expertise in both non-volatile memory and mixed-signal technology to provide added flexibility to customers with the MCP4728 DAC," said Bryan Liddiard, Vice President of Marketing with Microchip’s Analog & Interface Products Division.
"Being the first 12-bit Quad DAC in the industry to integrate non-volatile EEPROM, the MCP4728 is expected to help designers meet or exceed cost and size requirements, while providing the resolution and low power consumption that today’s battery-powered and power-constrained electronic devices require," continued Jefferay Lawton, Product Marketing Engineer with Microchip’s Analog and Interface Products Division.
The MCP4728 DAC is appropriate for applications in the consumer (personal media players, digital cameras and GPS devices); medical (portable glucose meters, blood pressure and heart-rate monitors); industrial (handheld instruments, motor-control applications, and temperature and light control); appliance (washing machines and espresso machines); and automotive (LED lamps and alarm/security systems) markets. The DAC complements Microchip’s PIC18F87J93 8-bit microcontrollers for medical and metering applications (also announced).
The MCP4728 DAC is available in a 10-pin MSOP. The DAC is priced at $1.36 each in 10,000-unit quantities.
