Experiment

7
Digital-to-Analog Converter
Objectives
To construct and operate a D/A converter in IC form with an operational amplifier.

Required Materials
(1) Dual power supply (+5v and 0 to +10v)

(1) 741 linear IC

(1) 1K resistor

(1) DAC0808 IC

(1) Dual power supply (+18v and -18v)

(2) 7493 ICs

(3) 5K resistors

(1) 2.5K resistor

(1) Signal generator (10 Khz)

(1) 10K resistor

(1) Oscilloscope

(1) 270 pfd capacitor

Introduction
D/A converters are available in IC form. One popular type, shown in Figure 7-1, is the 8-bit
DAC0808.An inverting op amp is externally connected to the D/A IC package.
The maximum current level of 2 mA at the output of the op amp is dictated by the 10 volt supply
and 5K resistor connected to pin 14.When the digital input is 0000 0000, the minimum current of
0 mA flows through pin 4.When the digital input is 1111 1111, the maximum current of 2 mA flows
through pin 4. Using a 5K feedback resistor (RF), the analog output voltage at the op amp output
can range from 0 volts to 10 volts. If a different voltage range is desired, the VREF voltage applied to
pin 14 can be changed, the resistor at pin 14 can be changed, or the RF resistor value can be used to
change the gain.

Procedure
Step 1
Assemble the circuit shown in Figure 7-1.

Step 2
Turn on the power and apply a clock frequency of 10 kHz to the cascaded counters. Observe the
analog output with an oscilloscope as the digital input repeatedly increases, recycles to zero, and
increments again.

31

32

Experiment 7
+5 V

1
5

10 kHz
Clock
Oscillator

Digital-to-Analog Convertor

VCC

14

Q0

CP

Q1
Q2
Q3

12

NC 1

11

13
LSB 12
11

10

(7493)
2

10

3
9
8

+5 V

1
5

VCC

14

Q0

CP

Q1
Q2
Q3

Gnd

+5 V

7
12
6
9
MSB 5
8
11

VREF = 10 V

A8 VCC

14

A7
A6

14 VREF (+)

5 k

RF = 5 k

A3
A2

A1
VEE
2 Gnd

IOUT

16

DAC0808

13 VCC
12 A8 (LSB)

A2 6

11 A7

A3 7

10 A6

A4 8

9 A5

+18 V

741

3
+

(7493)
2

VEE 3
IOUT 4

DAC0808

270 pF
10

15 VREF ()

15

A5
A4

(MSB) A1 5

5 k

16 Compen.

18 V

1 k

O-Scope

Figure 7-1

Step 3
Reduce the reference voltage connected to pin 14 to 5 volts and observe the analog output with the
oscilloscope.

PROCEDURE QUESTION 1
Compared to when 10 volts were applied to the reference input, what happens to the analog
output voltage when 5 volts is applied?
A. It is one-half
B. It doubles
C. No change occurs

Step 4
Turn the power off and replace the 5K RF resistor across the op amp with a 2.5k resistor.

Step 5
Turn the power back on and apply 10 volts to the reference input.

PROCEDURE QUESTION 2
Compared to when 10 volts were applied to the reference input and a 5K feedback resistor
was used, what happens to the analog output voltage when a 2.5K resistor is used?
A. It is one-half
B. It doubles
C. No change occurs

Background Information
With eight digital inputs, there are 256 (28) different analog voltages produced.To make it more manageable to read the different voltage levels on the oscilloscope screen, it will be necessary to use only
four digital input leads.

Experiment 7

Digital-to-Analog Convertor

Step 6
Turn the power off. Disconnect the output leads at the 7493 IC located on the bottom of the diagram and connect pins A1 to A4 of the DAC0808 IC to ground.

PROCEDURE QUESTION 3
How many different analog voltages are produced at the output of the D/A converter if only
four inputs are used?

Step 7
Apply power to the circuit and verify your answer to procedure question 3.

Step 8
Remove the lead at pin 12 of the DAC0808 and observe the waveform on the oscilloscope.

PROCEDURE QUESTION 4
Is a 0 or a 1 recognized at the open input?

PROCEDURE QUESTION 5
How many voltage levels are produced with an open at the LSB input? Explain your answer.

Step 9
Reconnect pin 12 of the DAC0808. Disconnect the ground connection at pin 8 of the DAC0808
and replace it with a wire from pin 12 of the bottom IC shown in the diagram. Observe the waveform at the output of the D/A converter.

PROCEDURE QUESTION 6
How many voltage levels are produced at the output of the D/A converter and why?

Experiment Questions
1. How many different analog voltage levels can be produced by the DAC0808 IC?
2. An open at an input of a DAC0808 is recognized as a logic ____ (0, 1).
3. List three ways in which the voltage range of the DAC0808 IC can be varied.

PROCEDURE QUESTION ANSWERS

1. A
2. A
3. 16 (24)
4. 1
5. Eight different voltage levels.When an open is at the LSB input, a binary 1 is always applied
to the LSB digital input lead of the D/A converter.This causes the D/A converter to produce the following counts:

33

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Experiment 7
Desired Count

Count with
Pin 12 Open

Desired Count

Digital-to-Analog Convertor
Count with
Pin 12 Open

10

11

11

11

12

13

13

13

14

15

15

15

6. 32.
The number of outputs are determined by multiplying 2 times the power of how many
inputs are applied to the digital input of the D/A converter.
(25).