Your microcontroller likely has an ADC, but now it can have a DAC too! This breakout board features the user-friendly MCP4725 12-bit DAC. Control it via I2C and specify the output value, and you'll get it at the VOUT pin. Ideal for audio and analog projects, especially when PWM won't work and you need a sine wave or adjustable bias point. We've exposed the ADDR/A0 pin, allowing you to connect two DACs on a single I2C bus. Just set one pin high to avoid conflicts. It comes with a 6-pin header for breadboard use and is compatible with both 3.3V and 5V logic. This chip has some great extras. For chips with 3.4Mbps Fast Mode I2C, you can update the Vout at about 200 KHz. There's an EEPROM to store the output voltage, so it restores after a power cycle. The output voltage is rail-to-rail and proportional to the power supply, giving a 0 - 3.3V range on 3.3V and 0 - 5V on 5V. We offer an easy-to-use Arduino library and a tutorial with triangle-wave and sine-wave output examples, suitable for any Arduino or microcontroller with an I2C host. Wiring is a breeze: connect VDD to your microcontroller's power pin (3 - 5V), GND to ground, SDA to I2C Data, SCL to I2C Clock, and listen for the output on VOUT.
Using this MCP4725 breakout board is easy. First, connect VDD to your microcontroller's power pin which can be between 3V and 5V. Then connect GND to the ground. Next, connect SDA to the I2C Data pin of your device and SCL to the I2C Clock pin. You'll find the output at the VOUT pin. If you want to use two DACs on one I2C bus, make sure to set the ADDR/A0 pin of one DAC high to prevent conflicts. When using the chip, note that the output voltage range depends on the power supply. If you use 3.3V, the output range is 0 - 3.3V, and if you use 5V, it's 0 - 5V. Also, if your chip supports 3.4Mbps Fast Mode I2C, you can update the Vout at around 200 KHz. There's an EEPROM in the chip, so if you set an output voltage, it will be restored after a power cycle. To maintain the board, keep it in a dry and clean environment. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or physical shocks. We've provided an Arduino library and a tutorial with examples, so you can easily create triangle-wave and sine-wave outputs. Whether you're using an Arduino or another microcontroller with an I2C host, you can follow the tutorial to get started.
