Small DAC Uses Little Power

Featuring low power consumption and a buffered voltage output, the MCP4725 single-channel digital-to-analog converter (DAC) offers 12-bit resolution in a miniature SOT-23 package. The non-volatile EEPROM enables the DAC settings to be recalled at power-up, so that a microcontroller is not needed if the device’s output does not need to change. Power consumption is just 0.06 µA in shutdown, and an onboard precision output amplifier allows a rail-to-rail analog output, so the unit’s output fully uses the entire voltage range. The DAC’s small size and low power consumption make it suitable for a wide range of small, battery-operated products in the consumer, medical, industrial, appliance, and automotive markets. Samples of the MCP4725 are available now. The device costs $0.67 each/10,000 and the MCP4725EV evaluation board costs $15. MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC., Chandler, AZ. (888) 628-6247.