National Semiconductor’s single-wire 16-bit DAC for 4-to-20 mA loops simplifies smart transmitter design

HONG KONG: National Semiconductor Corp. has introduced a 16-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) featuring a single-wire interface and 4-to-20 mA current loop drive that simplifies the design of smart transmitters used in industrial two-wire sensor systems.

The highly integrated DAC161P997 reduces component count and cost in factory and building automation control systems by enabling the use of a single isolation component to cross the isolation boundary. For sensing and detecting applications where galvanic isolation is not required, National’s DAC161P997 interfaces directly to a microcontroller.

The low-power DAC161P997 provides system designers an exceptional balance of accuracy, ease of use, performance and system cost. Its delta-sigma DAC offers 16-bit accuracy with a minimal temperature coefficient of 29 ppm and long-term output current drift of 90 ppm, while consuming less than 190 uA of supply current. The DAC161P997’s loop drive interfaces to a highway addressable remote transducer (HART) modulator, allowing injection of FSK-modulated digital data into the 4-to-20 mA current loop. The DAC operates over the -40 degrees C to 125 degrees C extended industrial temperature range.

Key features and benefits of DAC161P997
Single-wire interface: enables higher system accuracy compared to discrete PWM implementations, and lower system cost compared to 4-wire SPI solution.

Low power operation: 190 uA enables total system power consumption below 30 mW or 3.5 mA.

User programmable start up conditions and data rate auto detect: allows system configuration for trade off between update-rate vs. power consumption.

Error detection and reporting: multiple error conditions detected automatically, providing higher system reliability.

The DAC161P997 complements National’s innovative Sensor AFE Family in smart transmitter designs, including a wide variety of gas, temperature and pressure sensor applications.

Offered in a 16-pin, 4x4mm LLP package, the DAC161P997 is available now and priced at $4 in 1,000-unit quantities.