The DAC8760 and DAC7760 (DACx760) consist of a resistor-string digital-to-analog converter (DAC) followed by a buffer amplifier. The output of the buffer drives the current output and the voltage output. The resistor-string section is simply a string of resistors, each of value R, from REF to GND, as Figure 8-1 illustrates. This type of architecture makes sure the DAC is monotonic. The 16-bit binary digital code (DAC8760) loaded to the DAC register determines at which node on the string the voltage is tapped off before it is fed into the output amplifier.

Figure 8-1 DAC Structure: Resistor String

The current-output stage converts the voltage output from the string to current. The voltage output provides a buffered output of the programmed range to the external load. When the current output or the voltage output is disabled, it is in a high impedance (Hi-Z) state. After power-on, both output stages are disabled. See Section 9.1.1 for different options to configure the current and voltage output pins.