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DAC53401: Replace analog potentiometers with Precision DACs

Part Number: DAC53401
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DAC43608, DAC43401, , DAC60501, DAC63204

Dear data converters team,

My customer is interested in replacing an analog potentiometer with a digital potentiometer. Nevertheless, the 2048 steps needed dont allow us to use one of the Digital potentiometers (digipots): https://www.ti.com/data-converters/digital-potentiometer/overview.html 

I consider using a DAC for this purpose, as shown in Replacing Digital Potentiometers with Precision DACs. 

The resolution of the DACs in the app. note is: DAC43401 8-bit, DAC53401 10-bit, DAC43608 8-bit.

Is there a precision amplifier we could use for this purpose for the 2048 steps needed?

Thanks and best regards,

Juan. 

  • Hi Juan,

    The DAC60501 is a 12-bit (4096 step) DAC that could be used for this purpose. Similar to the DACs proposed in the article you shared, the DAC60501 has an internal precision reference and an internal output buffer. The DAC60501 does not have non-volatile memory, so the output will startup at zero scale or midscale after each power cycle. The FB pin of the output buffer in the DAC60501 is not exposed like the DAC53401, so the features described in Figure 3 of the article cannot be done. If non-volatile memory and the exposed FB pin are required then the DAC63204 could be used, but this only comes as a 4 channel device. 

    Please let me know if you need any further support.

    Best,

    Katlynne Jones

  • Thank you Katlynne for your dedicated answer! 

    Will keep you updated on the progress we make.

    Best regards, Juan. 

  • Hi Juan,

    Great! I will close this thread for now, but feel free to respond here with your updates or follow-up questions. 

    Best,

    Katlynne Jones