To read any register, use the following command sequence:

1. Send a start or repeated start command with a target address and the R/ W bit set to 0 for writing. The device acknowledges this event.
2. Send a command byte for the register to be read. The device acknowledges this event again.
3. Send a repeated start with the target address and the R/ W bit set to 1 for reading. The device acknowledges this event.
4. The device writes the MSDB byte of the addressed register. The controller must acknowledge this byte.
5. Finally, the device writes out the LSDB of the register.

An alternative reading method allows for reading back the value of the last register written. The sequence is a start or repeated start with the target address and the R/ W bit set to 1, and the two bytes of the last register are read out. All the registers in DACx0501 family can be read out with the exception of SOFT-RESET register. Table 8-5 shows the read command set.