DATEL today announced the DAC-12100 series of low power 12-bit current output digital to analog converters that have TTL/CMOS compatible inputs. With a 100 MHz conversion rate, these ultra-high speed devices suit any speed critical applications such as radar, signal reconstruction, waveform generators and communications equipment.

With an extremely low glitch energy characteristic of 3.0 pV-s compared to the industry norm of 100 pV-s, the DAC-12100 generates very little switching noise. The complementary current outputs of 0 to -20.48 mA can directly drive 50 ohm loads. Dynamic performance, to Nyquist at fOUT of 2.02 MHz, provides a spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) specification of – 85 dB.

The converter uses a R/2R resistor network and a segmented switching current cell arrangement in order to reduce glitch energy. Employing laser trimming of the resistor network ensures the device achieves its 12-bit linearity to within 0.5 LSB across the transfer curve.

The DAC-12100 is available in a hermetically sealed 28-pin CLCC solder dipped leads package measuring 11.43 x 11.43 mm (0.45 x 0.45 inches). Designed for harsh and rugged application environments, particularly those experienced in military and avionic platforms, the highly reliable converter is guaranteed to operate over the extended temperature range of - 55 degrees C to + 125 degrees C. The converter meets all MIL-PRF-38534 standard requirements.