School of Engineering and Physics

EE225- Analog electronics 2

Lab 2 – Op-amps based Digital to Analog conversion (DAC)
Group members: Sherlin Chand (s11170770)
Mohammed Azam (s11170901)
Date: 26/08/20

Objective:
The objective of this laboratory experiment is to build and characterize the two different
type of 4-bit digital to analog converters (DAC’s). This will allow the observation of effects of
mismatched components on the signal output.
Circuit diagram:
Circuit 1: Binary -weight resistor type DAC.

Figure 1: The above figure shown is the image of a circuit type binary-weight resistor type DAC.

Practical circuit 1.

Figure 2: The figure shown above is a image of the circuit implemented during the lab.
Circuit 2: R-2R Ladder type DAC.

Figure 3: The above figure shown is the diagram of the circuit of a R-2R Ladder type DAC.

Practical circuit 2.

Figure 4: The above figure shown above is the diagram of the circuit implemented in the lab which is a R-2R Ladder type
DAC.
Observation.
Binary-weight resistor type DAC. R-2R Ladder type DAC.
 The results obtained for this type of  The results obtained were more
circuit was reasonably close. accurate.
 The graph obtained was a linear  Had less errors
graph.  The graph obtained had was more
linear.

The experiment conducted required understanding of the build and character of the two
different 4-bit DAC which were the binary weighed resistor circuit and the R-2R ladder.
Part I:
The identification of the pin for LM741 Op-Amp was done, the pins were identified from the
data sheet provided online. The values of the resistor were calculated both using the color
coding and with the use of the multimeter. The binary-weight resistor circuit was
constructed using a breadboard and the V o was found for the for the increasing order of
digital input. The theoretical and practical values were obtained and from obtained values a
linear graph was constructed. However the graph was not a perfect linear graph as it had
some error with it which was that the values of the resistors had slight higher or lower
values in the binary-weight circuit, this was a disadvantage because the slight mis match of
the resistor values can cause the graph to slightly deflect.
Part 2:
The part 2 of the circuit was for the R-2R resistor circuit, the circuit was constructed and the
theoretical and practical values were also obtained. The graph of Digital input Vs the
analogue output was plotted. The graph obtained was more linear than the graph of binary-
weight circuit. The difference in the 2 values showed that that there was more accuracy in
the R-2R resistor circuit. There was less error because the R-2R resistor circuit only used two
values of the resistors which worked together to obtain more accurate graph.
Results:
Table 1 for circuit 1:
Binary Theoretical (V) Practical (V)
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0.3125 0.81
0 0 1 0 0.625 0.896
0 0 1 1 0.9375 1.67
0 1 0 0 1.25 2.39
0 1 0 1 1.5625 2.8140
0 1 1 0 1.875 3.05
0 1 1 1 2.19 3.26
1 0 0 0 2.5 3.37
1 0 0 1 2.81 3.5
1 0 1 0 3.125 3.6
1 0 1 1 3.44 3.67
1 1 0 0 3.75 3.74
1 1 0 1 4.06 3.8
1 1 1 0 4.375 3.84
1 1 1 1 4.6875 3.88

Figure 1 for circuit 1:

Graph of Analog Input vs Digital Input

4.5
4.23
4 3.97
3.65
3.5 3.48

3 3.06
2.91
Analog Input (V)

2.73
2.5
2.31
2 1.99
1.71
1.5 1.43
1.2
1 0.92 0.96
0.82
0.5

00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Digital Input (V)
Table 2 for circuit 2:
Binary Theoretical (V) Practical (V)
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0.3125 0.82
0 0 1 0 0.625 0.92
0 0 1 1 0.9375 0.96
0 1 0 0 1.25 1.199
0 1 0 1 1.5625 1.432
0 1 1 0 1.875 1.71
0 1 1 1 2.19 1.99
1 0 0 0 2.5 2.31
1 0 0 1 2.81 2.73
1 0 1 0 3.125 2.91
1 0 1 1 3.44 3.06
1 1 0 0 3.75 3.48
1 1 0 1 4.06 3.65
1 1 1 0 4.375 3.97
1 1 1 1 4.6875 4.23

Graph of Analog Input vs Digital Input

4.5
4.23
4 3.97
3.65
3.5 3.48

3 3.06
2.91
2.73
Analog Input (V)

2.5
2.31
2 1.99
1.71
1.5 1.43
1.2
1 0.92 0.96
0.82
0.5

00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Digital Input (V)

Figure 2 for circuit 2:

Observation.
Binary-weight resistor type DAC. R-2R Ladder type DAC.
 The results obtained for this type of  The results obtained were more
circuit was reasonably close. accurate.
 The graph obtained was a linear  Had less errors
graph.  The graph obtained had was more
linear.

The experiment conducted required understanding of the build and character of the two
different 4-bit DAC which were the binary weighed resistor circuit and the R-2R ladder.
Part I:
The identification of the pin for LM741 Op-Amp was done, the pins were identified from the
data sheet provided online. The values of the resistor were calculated both using the color
coding and with the use of the multimeter. The binary-weight resistor circuit was
constructed using a breadboard and the V o was found for the for the increasing order of
digital input. The theoretical and practical values were obtained and from obtained values a
linear graph was constructed. However the graph was not a perfect linear graph as it had
some error with it which was that the values of the resistors had slight higher or lower
values in the binary-weight circuit, this was a disadvantage because the slight mis match of
the resistor values can cause the graph to slightly deflect.
Part 2:
The part 2 of the circuit was for the R-2R resistor circuit, the circuit was constructed and the
theoretical and practical values were also obtained. The graph of Digital input Vs the
analogue output was plotted. The graph obtained was more linear than the graph of binary-
weight circuit. The difference in the 2 values showed that that there was more accuracy in
the R-2R resistor circuit. There was less error because the R-2R resistor circuit only used two
values of the resistors which worked together to obtain more accurate graph.

Conclusion.
After doing this experiment, it could be stated that the objective of the lab was to
characterize two different 4-bit digital to analog converters (DACs) which was clearly
understood, also the effect of the component mismatches on the output signal levels.
The binary weight resistor circuit and the R-2R resistor circuit both gave linear graphs which
shows that the proper conversion of the from increasing digital input to proportionally
increasing analog output. However, the graph of R-2R resistor circuit gave more linear graph
than the binary-weight resistor circuit because the R-2R circuit used only 2 values of the
resistor.
The problem faced while conducting the circuit was connecting the components on the
breadboard and obtaining proper values that the multimeter was giving out because there
was a possibility that there would have been a lose connection on the breadboard. These
problems were solved by verifying the values with the lab partner and also time was given
to multimeter to give consistence values.

Precautions:
 To connect the circuit as per Figure 1 and 2, ensure that the holes of the breadboard are
free from debris, and make sure the wires of the resistor are not bent at the tip.

 Try to use short length of wires to create a neat and organized circuit.

 Before connecting the Op-Amp to the circuit, ensure the notch of the op-amp points
upwards and that all pins are not bended or disoriented.

 Ensure that the Op-Amp is supplied with ±12V so that the op-amp is supplied with
power.

 Ensure that all of the terminals connected to the negative side is connected to a strong
ground and that all ground terminals are connected to one single point.

 Before supplying the voltage, ensure that all resistors are connected to the ground
position or left open to create a “switched off” effect.

 To supply the VREF = -5V, turn on the power supply and set the voltage to 5V. Next, turn
off the power supply and connect the negative output to the input terminal of the
circuit and turn on the power supply.

Appendix: