Microchip's new digital-to-analog converters integrate EEPROM to preserve Settings in the event of a power failure

     Microchip Technology, a leading global provider of integrated microcontroller, mixed-signal, emulator and flash memory proprietary solutions, has announced a new MCP48FXBXX family of devices, further expanding its digital-to-analog converter (DAC) product line. The MCP48FEBXX family of DAC devices includes a total of six new products with an integrated EEPROM to save DAC Settings in the event of a power failure, while the MCP48FVBXX family provides a lower-cost alternative for applications that do not require integrated memory.

     These low-power single - and dual-channel DCS offer 8, 10, and 12-bit resolutions, have SPI serial interfaces, and come in a 10-pin MSOP package. The new devices can be used in a wide range of applications, including consumer, industrial and automotive markets, such as set point/offset adjustment, sensor calibration, instrumentation and motor control.

     "The new MCP48FXBXX DAC family is ideal for portable consumer and handheld applications that require low power consumption," said Bryan J. Liddiard, vice president of marketing for Microchip's Mixed Signal and Linear Products Division. Moreover, they can operate in an extended temperature range, so they can also meet the requirements of industrial and automotive applications."

     With high integration and a unique feature set, the MCP48FXBXX family offers customers flexibility and power and cost savings, while also simplifying their design efforts. With the integrated EEPROM option, DAC Settings can be restored at power-on, reducing the overhead of the microcontroller, while various shutdown modes also help power-sensitive applications significantly reduce device current consumption. In addition, these new devices have low differential nonlinearity (DNL) errors to maintain a monotonic output, while also having low integral nonlinearity (INL) errors to guarantee better linearity.