10.1 Layout Guidelines

A precision analog component requires careful layout, adequate bypassing, and clean, well-regulated power supplies.

The DAC8560 offers single-supply operation, and it often is used in close proximity with digital logic, microcontrollers, microprocessors, and digital signal processors. The more digital logic present in the design and the higher the switching speed, the more difficult it is to keep digital noise from appearing at the output.

As a result of the single ground pin of the DAC8560, all return currents, including digital and analog return currents for the DAC, must flow through a single point. Ideally, connect GND directly to an analog ground plane. This plane would be separate from the ground connection for the digital components until they were connected at the power-entry point of the system.

The power applied to V_DD must be well regulated and low noise. Switching power supplies and DC-DC converters often have high-frequency glitches or spikes riding on the output voltage. In addition, digital components can create similar high-frequency spikes as their internal logic switches states. This noise can easily couple into the DAC output voltage through various paths between the power connections and analog output.

As with the GND connection, connect V_DD to a power-supply plane or trace that is separate from the connection for digital logic until they are connected at the power-entry point. In addition, a 1-μF to 10-μF capacitor and 0.1-μF bypass capacitor are strongly recommended. In some situations, additional bypassing may be required, such as a 100-μF electrolytic capacitor or even a Pi filter made up of inductors and capacitors – all designed to essentially low-pass filter the supply, removing the high-frequency noise.