D/A and A/D Converters

This chapter explores D/A and A/D converters. It concentrates on D/A converter principles and different D/A converter integrated circuits available in the market. The chapter focuses on A/D converters. It looks at the integrated circuits available in the market, after reviewing the related terminology and A/D conversion principles. The chapter also explores the component which can be considered the heart of any data acquisition system. This component is the analog-to-digital converter. A digital-to-analog converter converts digital information into analog voltage or current level. Digital-to-analog converters can be constructed very easily by using an op-amp configured as a summation amplifier. First generation D/A converters are basically an array of resistors and electronic switches which are produced by bipolar technology. Most second generation D/A converters are designed to be interfaced to microprocessor buses. The LTC1092 with its simple serial interface is ideally suited for this transformer isolation application. It requires only two isolated lines to transmit 10 bits of data.