SLAT163 July   2024 AFE43902-Q1 , AFE439A2 , AFE53902-Q1 , AFE539A4 , AFE539F1-Q1 , AFE639D2 , DAC43204 , DAC43401 , DAC43401-Q1 , DAC43701 , DAC43701-Q1 , DAC43901-Q1 , DAC43902-Q1 , DAC53001 , DAC53002 , DAC53004 , DAC53004W , DAC53202 , DAC53204 , DAC53204-Q1 , DAC53204W , DAC53401 , DAC53401-Q1 , DAC53701-Q1 , DAC539E4W , DAC539G2-Q1 , DAC63001 , DAC63002 , DAC63004 , DAC63004W , DAC63202 , DAC63202W , DAC63204 , DAC63204-Q1 , DAC63204W

 

  1.   1
  2.   Abstract
  3.   Trademarks
  4. 1What is a Smart DAC?
  5. 2What is a Smart Analog Front End (AFE)?
  6. 3Smart DAC selection guide
  7. 4Smart AFE Selection Guide
  8. 5Applications
    1. 5.1 Lightning
      1. 5.1.1 Light Emitting Diode (LED) Biasing and Linear Fade-In Fade-Out
      2. 5.1.2 LED Biasing With LED Driver
      3. 5.1.3 Analog Thermal Foldback
        1. 5.1.3.1 Single Slope Thermal Foldback
        2. 5.1.3.2 Multi-Slope Thermal Foldback
      4. 5.1.4 Logarithmic Fade-In/Fade-Out
      5. 5.1.5 LED Sequencing
    2. 5.2 Control
      1. 5.2.1 Voltage Margining and Scaling With Voltage Output Smart DAC
      2. 5.2.2 Thermoelectric Cooling (TEC) Control
        1. 5.2.2.1 TEC Control Using DC/DC Driver
        2. 5.2.2.2 TEC control using h-Bridge driver
      3. 5.2.3 Analog Power Control (APC) of a Laser
      4. 5.2.4 Constant Power Control
    3. 5.3 Microcontroller Independent Fault Management and Communication
      1. 5.3.1 Programmable Comparator Using Smart DAC
      2. 5.3.2 GPI-to-PWM
      3. 5.3.3 If-Then-Else Logic
    4. 5.4 Driver
      1. 5.4.1 Lens Positioning Control for Camera Module Auto-Focus and Image Stabilization
      2. 5.4.2 Laser Drive
    5. 5.5 Miscellaneous Smart DAC Applications
      1. 5.5.1 Software-less Medical Alarm Generation
      2. 5.5.2 555 Timer

Abstract

Many systems require software to offer sophisticated performance. Applications for self-test in enterprise systems use voltage margining controlled by software to perform regular self-stress tests to check the health of the system. Closed-loop control, temperature compensation or biasing circuits rely on trivial software for sensing and control. Factory tuning and calibration of user-interfacing sub-systems or lighting applications heavily utilize software to perform such adjustments. Some applications that are responsible for human life or can potentially harm the user, require software-free fault-management. While discrete approach or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is used, this approach lacks basic intelligence.

Conventional discrete data converters and analog ASICs require a micro-controller unit (MCU) to provide full functionality and basic intelligence. Hardware engineers must deal with the overhead of software development, maintenance and in some cases regulatory approval when designs demand programmable logic. Lack of reusability is another issue that such a design creates. When there is a hardware change many steps must be taken to push the product to market: a requirement is due, updates are needed, additional testing must be done, and sometimes re-qualification is required. Such challenges often times prevent designers from system upgrades. For life-dependent products, the software can also cause some issues. Software faults can cause some unpredictable system behavior, while overloaded micro-controller can miss a vital interrupt or system fail signal. For such systems and teams, the software overhead outweighs the cost of using the MCUs. Any design that eliminates software development is desirable in these systems. Smart DACs and AFE provide software independence.

Because smart DACs eliminate the need for software, smart DACs fill the gap between DAC-based circuits, MCU-based circuits and entirely discrete circuits built with components like precision resistors, capacitors and inductors.

Why Smart DAC? Figure 1-1 Why Smart DAC?