The LTC2686 is an 8-channel, 12-/16-bit, ±15 V digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with an integrated precision reference. The LTC2686 is guaranteed monotonic and has built in rail-to-rail output buffers that can source or sink up to 55 mA. This SoftSpan™DAC offers five output ranges up to ±15 V. The range of each channel is independently programmable.The internal 4.096 V precision reference sets the accuracy of the output voltage. An external reference can be used for additional range options. Three toggle pins support Input Register A and Input Register B toggle or sinusoidal dither at multiple frequencies. An analog multiplexer simplifies measurement of pin voltages, load currents, and junction temperature.Programmable offset and gain registers improve the accuracy of the DAC outputs.The serial peripheral interface (SPI) and MICROWIRE™-compatible, 3-wire serial interface operates on logic levels as low as 1.71 V and clock rates up to 50 MHz.APPLICATIONSOptical networkingInstrumentationData acquisitionAutomatic test equipmentProcess control and industrial automation