Dual, Voltage-Output DAC Consumes Miniscule Power

Abstract: This design note shows a circuit that modifies a dual, voltage-output digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to save power and draw less than 20µA from a 5V supply. This circuit is useful for programmable voltage generation in slow or static applications, such as the nulling of offsets in a micropower instrument.
Maxim > App Notes > A/D and D/A Conversion/Sampling Circuits
Keywords: digital-to-analog converter, DAC, voltage switching, voltage-output DAC Jan 21, 2002

APPLICATION NOTE 111
Dual, Voltage-Output DAC Consumes Miniscule Power


Abstract:This design note shows a circuit that modifies a dual, voltage-output digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to save power
and draw less than 20A from a 5V supply. This circuit is useful for programmable voltage generation in slow or static
applications, such as the nulling of offsets in a micropower instrument.

A similar version of this article appeared in Electronic Design magazine.

The dual, voltage-output DACs shown in the figure below employ a combination of power-conserving tricks to draw