Burr-Brown 12-Bit Digital to Analog Converters From the 1980s


The photo above shows a hybrid technology 12-bit D/A Converter from Burr-Brown Corporation. By 1986 this was replaced by a monolithic i.e. single chip design. Under the metal lid is a ceramic substrate based multi-chip module. See below for examples of the technology.

DAC85 is the model number. The 1st C is the operating temp range (0 to 70C). CBI is complementary bipolar inputs and V is the voltage output version.

12-bit DACs from Burr-Brown were used primarily in industrial applications like automation and factory control. If you only know DACs for digital audio, then 12 bit may seem a low resolution, but parameters that were most important for high end industrial use would not be relevant for audio. These DACs were very precise.










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