Small footprint, big impression

Linear Technology Corporation has introduced the LTC2605, an octal 16-bit voltage output DAC with an I2C serial interface in a 16-pin SSOP package, the same board area as an SO-8.

At 16-bits, the LTC2605 is said to achieve the industry's smallest footprint for octal DACs while improving DC performance over competitive products. The device's monotonic performance, small size and low power reportedly make it ideal for digital calibration, trim/adjust and level setting applications in a wide variety of products.

The LTC2605's output buffers deliver drive capability over their entire 2.7V to 5.5V supply voltage range. The DAC outputs directly drive capacitive loads up to 1000pF or current loads up to 15mA and maintain linearity to within millivolts of VCC or ground.

Linear Technology says the low output offset (9mV maximum) provides a starting code voltage closer to ground than competing devices. In addition, the company adds that low output voltage noise (15uVp-p) reduces the need for output filtering. A full-scale transition on seven of the eight DACs causes less than 10uV change in the eighth DAC, eliminating crosstalk as a source of error. The LTC2605's low 250uA supply current per DAC at 3V and 1uA maximum shutdown current are suited for battery-powered applications.