AD7226
REV. A
–5–
CIRCUIT INFORMATION
D/A SECTION
The AD7226 contains four, identical, 8-bit, voltage mode 
digital-to-analog converters. The output voltages from the converters have the same polarity as the reference voltage allowing 
single supply operation. A novel DAC switch pair arrangement 
on the AD7226 allows a reference voltage range from +2 V to 
+12.5 V.
Each DAC consists of a highly stable, thin-film, R-2R ladder 
and eight high speed NMOS, single-pole, double-throw 
switches. The simplified circuit diagram for one channel is 
shown in Figure 1. Note that V
REF
 (Pin 4) and AGND (Pin 5)
are common to all four DACs.
Figure 1. D/A Simplified Circuit Diagram
The input impedance at the V
REF
 pin of the AD7226 is the parallel combination of the four individual DAC reference input 
impedances. It is code dependent and can vary from 2 kΩ to infinity. The lowest input impedance (i.e., 2 kΩ) occurs when all 
four DACs are loaded with the digital code 01010101. Therefore, it is important that the reference presents a low output impedance under changing load conditions. The nodal capacitance 
at the reference terminals is also code dependent and typically 
varies from 100 pF to 250 pF.
Each V
OUT
 pin can be considered as a digitally programmable
voltage source with an output voltage of:
V
OUTX
 = DX V
REF
where DX is fractional representation of the digital input code 
and can vary from 0 to 255/256.
The source impedance is the output resistance of the buffer 
amplifier.
OP AMP SECTION
Each voltage-mode D/A converter output is buffered by a unity 
gain, noninverting CMOS amplifier. This buffer amplifier is 
capable of developing +10 V across a 2 kΩ load and can drive 
capacitive loads of 3300 pF. The output stage of this amplifier 
consists of a bipolar transistor from the V
DD
 line and a current
load to the V
SS
, the negative supply for the output amplifiers.
This output stage is shown in Figure 2. 
The NPN transistor supplies the required output current drive
(up to 5 mA). The current load consists of NMOS transistors 
which normally act as a constant current sink of 400 µA to V
SS
, 
giving each output a current sink capability of approximately 
400 µA if required.
The AD7226 can be operated single or dual supply resulting 
in different performance in some parameters from the output 
amplifiers.
In single supply operation (V
SS
 = 0 V = AGND), with the out-
put approaching AGND (i.e., digital code approaching all 0s)
Figure 2. Amplifier Output Stage
the current load ceases to act as a current sink and begins to act 
as a resistive load of approximately 2 kΩ to AGND. This occurs 
as the NMOS transistors come out of saturation. This means 
that, in single supply operation, the sink capability of the amplifiers is reduced when the output voltage is at or near AGND. A 
typical plot of the variation of current sink capability with output voltage is shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Variation of I
SINK
 with V
OUT
If the full sink capability is required with output voltages at or 
near AGND (=0 V), then V
SS
 can be brought below 0 V by 5 V 
and thereby maintain the 400 µA current sink as indicated in 
Figure 3. Biasing V
SS
 below 0 V also gives additional headroom 
in the output amplifier which allows for better zero code error 
performance on each output. Also improved is the slew-rate 
and negative-going settling-time of the amplifiers (discussed 
later).
Each amplifier offset is laser trimmed during manufacture to 
eliminate any requirement for offset nulling.
DIGITAL SECTION
The digital inputs of the AD7226 are both TTL and CMOS 
(5 V) compatible from V
DD
 = +11.4 V to +16.5 V. All logic inputs are static protected MOS gates with typical input currents 
of less than 1 nA. Internal input protection is achieved by an 
on-chip distributed diode from DGND to each MOS gate. To 
minimize power supply currents, it is recommended that the 
digital input voltages be driven as close to the supply rails (V
DD
and DGND) as practically possible.