Hi All,

I am working on Digital to Analog converter Project , I went through several text but can't convince myself. I want to know what is the meaning of testing a DAC for INL and DNL at high frequencies, not at dc. This is for practical DAC chip.

I can do static testing by applying the inputs one by one and measure the DAC's out put to test INL and DNL but what does it mean when I put continuously changing digital input code at the inputs of a 6bit or 12bit DAC pin and then test for INL and DNL and also how I can do that in practical circuit.

" very steep learning curve ...."

 

Read this:

http://www.maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/an_pk/2085/

 

thanks for the reply. I am going through the text.

 

hi, the link you have posted in the message is not for DAC its for ADC's.

 

Try this link:

http://www.testedgeinc.com/docs/dac.pdf

Also, if you search in google "testing a DAC for INL and DNL" you will get many results.

 

sorry @ mik3 , I think I should have told your earlier or mentioned it , I want to test the chip in school setting.Only equipments I have in lab is a mixed signal scope, a function generator and bunch of DC power supply. For an ADC or precisely for digital outputs I just have few counters ( TTL chips).

I don't have spectrum analyzer in my lab and have to learn to use one ( which is not a problem), I want to know with stuff mentioned, at my disposal, how can I go ahead and test my DAC chip for INL and DNL.

Any ideas by any users are appreciated.

regards
S

 

Some scopes have a built-in spectrum analyzer, check it.