12.1.1.1 Specification Definitions

DIFFERENTIAL NON-LINEARITY (DNL) is the measure of the maximum deviation from the ideal step size of 1 LSB, which is V_REF / 4096 = V_A / 4096.

DIGITAL FEEDTHROUGH is a measure of the energy injected into the analog output of the DAC from the digital inputs when the DAC outputs are not updated. It is measured with a full-scale code change on the data bus.

FULL-SCALE ERROR is the difference between the actual output voltage with a full scale code (FFFh) loaded into the DAC and the value of V_A x 4095 / 4096.

GAIN ERROR is the deviation from the ideal slope of the transfer function. It can be calculated from Zero and Full-Scale Errors as GE = FSE - ZE, where GE is Gain error, FSE is Full-Scale Error and ZE is Zero Error.

GLITCH IMPULSE is the energy injected into the analog output when the input code to the DAC register changes. It is specified as the area of the glitch in nanovolt-seconds.

INTEGRAL NON-LINEARITY (INL) is a measure of the deviation of each individual code from a straight line through the input to output transfer function. The deviation of any given code from this straight line is measured from the center of that code value. The end point method is used. INL for this product is specified over a limited range, per the Electrical Characteristics.

LEAST SIGNIFICANT BIT (LSB) is the bit that has the smallest value or weight of all bits in a word. This value is

where V_REF is the supply voltage for this product, and "n" is the DAC resolution in bits, which is 12 for the DAC121S101.

MAXIMUM LOAD CAPACITANCE is the maximum capacitance that can be driven by the DAC with output stability maintained.

MONOTONICITY is the condition of being monotonic, where the DAC has an output that never decreases when the input code increases.

MOST SIGNIFICANT BIT (MSB) is the bit that has the largest value or weight of all bits in a word. Its value is 1/2 of V_A.

POWER EFFICIENCY is the ratio of the output current to the total supply current. The output current comes from the power supply. The difference between the supply and output currents is the power consumed by the device without a load.

SETTLING TIME is the time for the output to settle to within 1/2 LSB of the final value after the input code is updated.

WAKE-UP TIME is the time for the output to settle to within 1/2 LSB of the final value after the device is commanded to the active mode from any of the power down modes.

ZERO CODE ERROR is the output error, or voltage, present at the DAC output after a code of 000h has been entered.