This thread has been locked.

If you have a related question, please click the "Ask a related question" button in the top right corner. The newly created question will be automatically linked to this question.

TIPD125: TIPD125 (DAC8560) No Negative Voltage

Part Number: TIPD125


I'm working with a TIPD125 evaluation board populated with all recommended components from the application note (SLAU525).

I've hooked the board up to a Teensy 3.6 for SPI comms and have correctly connected a +/-15V supply to VCC/VSS and the VDD/GND is supplied from the Teensy itself. I believe this is correct.

I am able to write successfully to the DAC and I am able to generate a voltage - however, the voltage is only between 0 and 10V, not +/-10 as per the app note.

The code I'm using is as follows and just generates a simple ramp up:

#include <SPI.h>

#define DAC_SYNC_PIN 0

SPISettings settingsA(1000000, MSBFIRST, SPI_MODE2); 

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:

  // Initialize the SPI bus
  SPI.begin();
  // Set the SYNC pin
  pinMode(DAC_SYNC_PIN, OUTPUT);
}

static void startSync() {
  digitalWrite(DAC_SYNC_PIN, LOW);
}

static void endSync() {
  digitalWrite(DAC_SYNC_PIN, HIGH);
}

static void writeValue(uint16_t val) {
  uint8_t msb = ((val & 0xFF00) >> 8);
  uint8_t lsb = ((val & 0x00FF) >> 8);

  SPI.beginTransaction(settingsA);
  startSync();
  SPI.transfer(0x00);
  SPI.transfer(msb);
  SPI.transfer(lsb);
  endSync();
  SPI.endTransaction();
}

static uint16_t i = 0;
static bool up = true;

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
  i += 10;

  if (i > 0xFFFF)
    i = 0;
  
  writeValue(i);
}
  • Kevin,

    Can you please share, maybe via a photo, of how you have supplies and grounds connected to the board? At zero-scale code the output should be -10V, so without even successfully writing to the DAC you should observe negative voltages on power-up. How did you go about obtaining this board? Was it ordered from TI or did you build it yourself?

    What output voltage do you measure on power-up?

  • Hi Kevin,

    Here's a link to an image of my setup:

    drive.google.com/open

    What I have is this:
    - An AC-DC (orange brick) providing +/-15V and a GND. These signals are connected to VCC/VSS and GND respectively.
    - Teensy 3.3V and GND connected to VDD and GND respectively
    - Teensy SCK, MOSI and SYNC to SCLK, DIN and SYNC respectively

    On initial power-up, I still only see 0V - this is with the SPI signals disconnected. The bare PCB was acquired via DigiKey and all recommended components were sourced via the same. All components were soldered by myself - no dry-joints or solder bridges observed.

    I'm guessing that because there is no -10V on initial power-up, I must have fitted something I shouldn't?
  • Hi,

    Looking at the photo I do not see any connection provided at TP4 (labeled "VREF" on the PCB silkscreen). This is the reference input net for the DAC as well as the offset voltage for the amplifier output stage circuit.

    Not sure if that was maybe just an artifact of this particular picture or not, but without a reference voltage you will not get the negative offset in the output circuit and the DAC itself wouldn't do much.
  • Hi Kevin,

    As it turned out, my solder inspection wasn't quite up to scratch. One of the DAC pins wasn't even soldered down - yep, the VREF pin!!

    Having reflowed all pins, it now works perfectly.

    The app note didn't indicate that VREF needed a connection and is already set up for the negative offset.

    Kevin

  • Hi Kevin,

    Having written the document myself, I must admit a shortcoming of not writing the document with the mindset of someone purchasing / building one of these boards and didn't include any kind of "User's Guide" section. It's good feedback for us going forward, as now we decide if a new reference design is going to have a board available for sale from the very beginning. Maybe a "quick start" section would make sense.

    Primarily, I am glad that your issues appear to be resolved. Please let us know if there is anything else that we can help you with.