40 channel DAC, what would it be used for? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2013, 01:13:38 pm
content: I was just browsing Digikey for a DAC and came across an Analog Devices 40 channel 16-bit DAC.A quick browse of the data sheet has the usual general statements for applications.I can't help but ponder over what application would warrant making a device with so many channels?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2013, 01:30:08 pm
content: Probably just for your typical DAC uses, signal generation, voice reproduction, control voltages etc.. but where the product need multiple channels.isp modems, automated DTMF answering systems, mixing desks, multi-node PA systems etc..

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2013, 01:35:13 pm
content: Lots of applications in manufacturing machines. Some manufacturing equipment has 120+ DAC to control things like CNC or pick and place machines.Google for DAQ cards, stands for data acquisition.http://www.amplicon.com/MandC/product/PC-Analog-PCI-3121.cfm

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2013, 02:06:13 pm
content: Would have been easier to understand if it was an ADC, but I guess I just wouldn't have through there was enough demand for that many channels in a single DAC.At $96ea in single quantities, that's about $2.50 a channel, which is less half the price per channel of their cheapest single or two channel DACs, so I guess it makes financial sense as well as saving board room if you need it.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2013, 02:08:21 pm
content: for example in an ATE automated Test Equipmentyou have also adc with big number of channels that goes withyou generate 40 signals with the DAC and see what's happens on the 40 other channels with the adc

author: cloudscapes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2013, 11:18:06 pm
content: What would be the advantage of one of these..... over a single DAC, a couple muxes and simple S&H opamps to hold the control voltages?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 08, 2013, 11:33:35 pm
content: Quote from: cloudscapes on January 08, 2013, 11:18:06 pmGuaranteed performance. No mess, no fuss.Usually any system that needs that many DAC channels is pretty specialised, so chip cost isn't a major obstacle.And if it's something like an ATE test system, they usually need to be turned around pretty quick, and "just work". As a designer you wouldn't want to spend your time dicking around wondering if your DIY DAC system is going to work and perform.Dave.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2013, 02:32:02 am
content: I can see you'd struggle to match the performance of the single chip for the same cost as well. At $2.50 per channel for 16-bit accuracy, I think it would be difficult to get all you analog circuitry that has that sort of error margin for under that. I could be wrong though.I also think it had some functionality like loading all the new values in buffers and doing a simultaneous update of all 40 channels.