Hi! I wanted to start working on DAC IC's in order to test out a future project sub-circuit. It has been kind of a nightmare trying to find 8-bit DAC AC's on my local stores. Last week I finally found a supposed DAC: The IC code is DAC0804LCN, its a 20-PDIP packaged IC; but I've had no luck on finding info on its pinout nor its characteristics. Is there any chance anyone has ever used or seen a datasheet for one of those?

 

Hi! I wanted to start working on DAC IC's in order to test out a future project sub-circuit. It has been kind of a nightmare trying to find 8-bit DAC AC's on my local stores. Last week I finally found a supposed DAC: The IC code is DAC0804LCN, its a 20-PDIP packaged IC; but I've had no luck on finding info on its pinout nor its characteristics. Is there any chance anyone has ever used or seen a datasheet for one of those?

It's not a DAC, it's an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter), the opposite of what you are looking for. TI make the DAC0800 and DAC0802, which ARE Digital to Analog converters though, if that's any help to you?

 

It's not a DAC, it's an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter), the opposite of what you are looking for. TI make the DAC0800 and DAC0802, which ARE Digital to Analog converters though, if that's any help to you?

Hi, thanks for your reply. I did find datasheets referring to ADC0804LCN which is as you mention an Analog to digital converter. Funny thing is my IC does not have that code as it starts with DAC and I have not found any datasheet nor information about this particular code. It supposedly is manufactured by NS but it may only be a Chinese replica or something. I guess I'll better search for any other DAC as you mentioned, thanks for the info.

 

Analog Devices AD557JN and AD558JN are 8-bit 1μs DACs with parallel interface and voltage output in DIP-16 package.
They are very straight forward to use.
They are currently very expensive with the AD558JN priced beyond what most people would be willing to pay.

 

The Microchip MCP48xx series are great to start with, single or double DACs with 8,10 or 12 bit resolution, SPI interface, really quite easy to understand and a good number of Arduino type tutorials online including libraries.

 

Hi, thanks for your reply. I did find datasheets referring to ADC0804LCN which is as you mention an Analog to digital converter. Funny thing is my IC does not have that code as it starts with DAC and I have not found any datasheet nor information about this particular code. It supposedly is manufactured by NS but it may only be a Chinese replica or something. I guess I'll better search for any other DAC as you mentioned, thanks for the info.

The only National DAC with a similar part number in a 20 pin package that I found is the DAC0854, found in the 1995 Data Acquisition Databook. It's a 4 channel, serial input device.

 

Thank you all for your responses, I'll take a look on the DAC's you mentioned.

The only National DAC with a similar part number in a 20 pin package that I found is the DAC0854

Ok, I see. I'll take a look on that one and see if mine works the same way.

AD558JN priced beyond what most people would be willing to pay.

I can imagine... Also I'm not really sure i'll find it in local stores at my city but thank you for the info. In any case I may have to search for a different option or just use the DAC module on some microcontroller.

 

A lot depends on the DAC sample rate you need. There are many DACs with serial interface.
Do you want serial or parallel interface?
Some DACs have current output. Would you mind using an additional op-amp to convert to voltage output?