AN-1242
APPLICATION NOTE
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Simplified 12-Bit, 4 mA-to-20 mA Output Solution Using the AD5410
Current Source DAC
CIRCUIT FUNCTION AND BENEFITS
+
15V
0.1µF
10µF
0.1µF
10kΩ
DVCC
SELECT
CONTROLLER
The circuit must be constructed on a multilayer PC board with
a large area ground plane. Proper layout, grounding, and
decoupling techniques must be used to achieve optimum
performance (see MT-015 Tutorial and MT-101 Tutorial).
Rev. A | Page 1 of 2
AVDD
BOOST
CLEAR
LATCH
IOUT
AD5410
SCLK
IOUT
SDIN
FAULT
REFOUT
GND
REFIN
RSET
08317-001
SDO
0.1µF
Figure 1. Connection Circuit for the AD5410
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
0.015
CURRENT OUTPUT ERROR (%FSR)
The AD5410 is a low-cost, highly integrated 12-bit digital-toanalog converter offering a programmable current source output
designed to meet the requirements of industrial process control
applications. The current output can be programmed with ranges
of 4 mA to 20 mA, 0 mA to 20 mA, or 0 mA to 24 mA. The
AD5410 contains an internal 5 V, 10 ppm/°C (maximum) voltage
reference. This leads to further savings in both cost and board
space. Operation is specified with an AVDD supply up to 24 V;
however, the AD5410 is capable of operating with an AVDD supply
of up to 40 V. The AD5410 contains an on-chip regulated 4.5 V
output (DVCC pin) capable of sourcing up to 5 mA, which can
be used as a termination for pull-up resistors or to power digital
circuitry, eliminating the need to generate a logic power supply
voltage. Figure 2 shows that the typical accuracy of this circuit
at 25°C ambient temperature is 0.011%.
DVCC
0.010
4mA TO 20mA
0.005
0mA TO 20mA
0mA TO 24mA
0
–0.005
TA = 25°C
RLOAD = 250Ω
–0.010
–0.015
–0.020
0
1000
2000
DAC CODE
3000
Figure 2. Current Output Accuracy
4000
08317-002
This circuit provides a 4 mA-to-20 mA output using the AD5410,
a single channel, 12-bit, serial input, 4 mA-to-20 mA current
source DAC. This circuit uses only the AD5410 product. The
only external components needed are decoupling capacitors on
the supply pins and reference input and a pull-up resistor for the
open-drain FAULT output, which alerts to a loss of compliance
voltage on the output or an overtemperature condition of the
AD5410. This implementation offers a level of integration that
leads to savings in both cost and board space. This circuit is well
suited for both the programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and
the distributed control systems (DCS) in industrial control
applications.
AN-1242
Application Note
LEARN MORE
REVISION HISTORY
Kester, Walt. 2005. The Data Conversion Handbook, Chapter 3
and Chapter 7. Analog Devices.
04/13—Rev. 0 to Rev. A
MT-015 Tutorial, Basic DAC Architectures II: Binary DACs.
Analog Devices.
Changed Document Title from CN-0081 to
AN-1242 .............................................................................. Universal
07/09—Revision 0: Initial Version
MT-031 Tutorial, Grounding Data Converters and Solving the
Myster of AGND and DGND. Analog Devices.
MT-101 Tutorial, Decoupling Techniques. Analog Devices.
Voltage Reference Wizard Design Tool.
Data Sheets and Evaluation Boards
AD5410 Data Sheet.
AD5420 Evaluation Board (Compatible with AD5410).
©2009–2013 Analog Devices, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks and
registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
AN08317-0-4/13(A)
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