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Hello, and welcome to an Introduction to the Texas Instruments Precision DAC Portfolio. In this video, we will address a few simple questions. What is a precision DAC? What kinds of precision DACs does TI make? And where would I use them?

At a very basic level, every DAC receives data over a digital interface and converts it to an analog output, whether that be voltage, current, or both. The result is a precise controlled analog output that can be used to interact with other devices, send signals, assist in taking measurements, and many other uses.

So what do we mean by precision? A precision DAC is a well-crafted combination of three qualities, accuracy, speed, and integration.

An analog output from a precision DAC is most importantly accurate. These devices span a broad range of resolutions while providing strong linearity, the true measure of a DAC's accuracy beyond just its resolution.

But this doesn't require a sacrifice in speed, as precision DACs can be updated as fast as 10 megasamples per second. These key qualities are topped off with the added value of integration.

Precision DACs are available as simple, stripped down devices, but can also be as full-featured as having multiple channels and built-in reliability features.

TI has a broad industry-leading portfolio of DACs that includes more than 600 devices. This encompasses both discrete and integrated devices in 1 to 96 channels and 8 to 18-bit resolution.

Our precision DACs provide some of the industry's best accuracy and fastest speeds. They have exceptionally low non-linearity, or INL, a specification that directly relates to how accurate the DAC is.

These devices will also have other on-board features like references, output calibration, or support for both current and voltage outputs, just to name a few. Some also have eight or more DAC channels on just one device.

TI also has products that include DACs and ADCs on one chip. These devices are most commonly used for monitoring and control of a system. Some of these devices also integrate other on-chip functions, such as amplifiers, references, and temperature sensors.

Flagship devices in the portfolio have an INL of less than 1 LSB and are monatomic. To learn more about specifications, such as these that are important to selecting an appropriate DAC, please watch our other videos on the DC and AC specifications of precision DACs.

TI has a precision DAC for every application need. So let's take a brief look at some applications were DACs are commonly used.

In the industrial space, you will commonly find a DAC in PLCs and process controllers. DACs are also an important component in test and measurement equipment, like a digital multimeter or a precision power supply. Wireless communication and optical networking equipment will also commonly use DACs, especially those from our portfolio of integrated ADCs and DACs.

To help you build your applications, TI has the strongest ecosystem of tools and technical content to support all phases of your design. You can find thoroughly tested reference designs on our TI Designs portal, Spice Models for simulation, and focused technical blogs on ti.com. You can also access 24/7 support on our engineer-to-engineer forums, where our engineers can help you troubleshoot your design problems, and you can learn from others' design challenges.

In summary, we've discussed the kind of products that make up the TI precision DAC portfolio. We touched briefly on some common applications of DACs and showed what resources we provide when it comes time to design with a TI DAC.

Thank you for watching this Introduction to the TI Precision DAC Portfolio. Please watch our other videos on precision DACs or go to ti.com/precisiondac to learn more.