March 14, 2011 -- Microchip Technology, Inc. today announced the expansion of its non-volatile digital-to-analog converter (DAC) product line with the MCP4706/16/26 (MCP47X6) devices. The low-power, single-channel DACs feature buffered 8-,10- and 12-bit voltage-output options and integrated EEPROM, and are offered in a miniature 2x2-mm DFN package, as well as a 6-pin SOT-23 package. The DACs are ideal for applications in the consumer and industrial markets, such as wireless microphones and mp3-player accessories; and applications such as motor control, flow measurement, temperature control and light control.

Integrated EEPROM enables DAC settings to be recalled at power up, for added system flexibility. The choice of 8-, 10- or 12-bit resolution provides flexibility with regard to design requirements and cost, while the buffered output voltage allows a selectable gain of 1 or 2, and provides a rail-to-rail output. Low power consumption of 210µA extends battery life, and the small packages reduce the amount of board space consumed.

Development support

Microchip also announced the MCP47X6 PICtail Plus Daughter Board (ADM00317, $24.99). The board contains the MCP4706 (8-bit), MCP4716 (10-bit), and MCP4726 (12-bit) DACs. It allows a connection to either the Explorer 16 Starter Kit (DV164033) for 16-and 32-bit PIC microcontrollers (MCUs), or the PICkit Serial Analyzer (DV164122), for reading and writing to the DAC registers using the PICkit Serial Analyzer PC software.

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