The DAC8501 is a low-power, single, 16-bit buffered voltage output Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) optimized for multiplying operation. Its on-chip precision output amplifier allows rail-to-rail output swing to be achieved. The DAC8501 uses a versatile 3-wire serial interface that operates at clock rates up to 30MHz and is compatible with standard SPI™, QSPI™, Microwire™, and Digital Signal Processor (DSP) interfaces. The DAC8501 requires an external reference voltage to set the output range of the DAC. The DAC8501 incorporates a power-on reset circuit that ensures that the DAC output powers up at 0V and remains there until a valid write takes place to the device. The DAC8501 contains a power-down feature, accessed over the serial interface, that reduces the current consumption of the device to 200nA at 5V. The low-power consumption of this part in normal operation makes it ideally suited to portable battery-operated equipment. The power consumption is 1.2mW at 5V reducing to 1µW in power-down mode. The DAC8501 is available in an MSOP-8 package.