24 bit ultra speed DAC card synchronized with AI
Summary
Domain Advanced scientific instruments
Skills Electronics, Software (Drivers, Data acquisition, Calibration)
Team Size Self only
Duration 2 Month

Objective: A DAC card with 24 bit accuracy and near 500kS/seconds was required to drive the magnet scan for the instrument.

Challenges:
  1. No off the shelf solution was available.
  2. Max accuracy that was available from NI was 18 bit at required sample rate.
  3. Initially we approached NI for a solution. However they could not provide any even after 6 months.
  4. The noise was also required to be less than 50uV peak to peak.

Solution: Used a special circuit to combine two sub accuracy DAC's to get the required accuracy. Also had to write a special calibration routine to ensure that the combination is usable.