**AD7528KNZ: A Comprehensive Technical Overview of the Dual 8-Bit Multiplying DAC**
The **AD7528KNZ** is a monolithic, dual-channel, 8-bit multiplying digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that represents a significant solution for applications requiring precision digital control over analog signals. Fabricated from a combination of advanced thin-film and CMOS technologies, this IC integrates two complete DACs on a single chip, offering a compact and highly reliable solution for complex systems.
A core feature of the AD7528KNZ is its **multiplying capability**. Unlike fixed-reference DACs, its output is the product of a digital code and an analog input voltage (VREF). This allows it to function not just as a simple DAC but also as a programmable attenuator, a digital potentiometer, or a key component in complex analog modulation circuits. Its architecture is based on an inverted R-2R ladder network, which ensures consistent monotonicity—a critical characteristic where the output analog voltage always increases with an increasing digital code.
The device operates with a single power supply ranging from **+5V to +15V**, making it compatible with a wide array of standard logic families. Each of the two 8-bit DACs features its own data latch, allowing for independent or simultaneous updates of the analog outputs. The data is loaded via a common serial interface, which reduces the number of required microprocessor I/O pins. The interface protocol involves first loading a control byte to select which DAC's latch to update, followed by the 8-bit data word, streamlining the control process in microprocessor-based systems.
Key performance specifications include **low power consumption**, typically less than 20mW, and a fast settling time to within ±½ LSB of its final value. The multiplying bandwidth and the slew rate of the internal op-amps are vital for dynamic performance in AC applications. Furthermore, the AD7528KNZ is designed for **excellent four-quadrant multiplication**, enabling it to handle both positive and negative reference voltages and bipolar output swings, which is essential for signals that alternate above and below ground.
Housed in a 20-pin PDIP package, the AD7528KNZ is designed for robustness and ease of prototyping. Its primary applications span across industrial automation, where it is used in programmable gain amplifiers and automated test equipment, audio equipment for digital volume control, and motion control systems for precise positioning.
**ICGOOODFIND:** The AD7528KNZ stands out as a highly integrated, versatile, and efficient dual 8-bit multiplying DAC. Its combination of dual channels, serial interfacing, true four-quadrant multiplication, and low power consumption makes it an exceptionally valuable component for designers seeking to add sophisticated digital-analog control to their systems without compromising on board space or power budget.
**Keywords:** Multiplying DAC, Dual Channel, 8-Bit Resolution, Four-Quadrant Multiplication, Serial Interface.
