The MAX5500/MAX5501 is a four-channel low-power, 12-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) from Texas Instruments, with four precision output amplifiers in a small, 20-pin package. Each negative input of the four precision amplifiers is externally accessible providing flexibility in gain configurations, remote sensing, and high output drive capacity, making the MAX5500/MAX5501 ideal for industrial process control applications. Other features include software shutdown, hardware shutdown lockout, an active-low reset which clears all registers and DACs to zero, a user-programmable logic output, and a serial-data output. Each DAC provides a double-buffered input organized as an input register followed by a DAC register. A 16-bit serial word loads data into each input register. The serial interface is compatible with SPI™/QSPI™/ MICROWIRE™. The serial interface allows the input and DAC registers to be updated independently or simultaneously with a single software command. The 3-wire interface simultaneously updates the DAC registers. All logic inputs are TTL/CMOS-logic compatible. The MAX5500 operates from a single +5V power supply, and the MAX5501 operates from a single +3V power supply. The MAX5500/MAX5501 are specified over the extended -40°C to +105°C temperature range. Applications include industrial process controls, automatic test equipment, microprocessor (μP)-controlled systems, motion control, digital offset and gain adjustment, remote industrial controls. Features include four 12-bit DACs, four precision output amplifiers, external negative inputs, software shutdown, hardware shutdown lockout, low-level reset, user-programmable logic output, serial data output, etc.
The MAX5500 and MAX5501 integrate four low‑power, 12‑bit digital‑to‑analog converters (DACs) and four precision output amplifiers in a 20‑pin package. They operate from a single +5 V (MAX5500) or +3 V (MAX5501) supply and are specified over an extended temperature range of –40 °C to +105 °C. Features include software shutdown, hardware lockout, an active‑low reset, a user‑programmable logic output, and a serial interface compatible with SPI, QSPI and Microwire.
The datasheet details electrical characteristics, pin functions, serial‑interface timing, power‑down behavior, and daisy‑chaining options. It also provides typical performance graphs, DAC code tables, and full‑scale error versus load data for designers.
| Resolution | 12 bits |
|---|---|
| Supply Voltage (MAX5501) | 3.0 V – 3.6 V (typical +3 V) |
| Supply Current (normal operation) | 0.85 mA (MAX5500) / 1.1 mA (MAX5501) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +105 °C |
| Number of DAC Channels | 4 (each 12‑bit) |
| Serial Interface Compatibility | SPI, QSPI, Microwire |
It contains four independent 12‑bit DAC channels.
The devices support SPI, QSPI, and Microwire serial interfaces.