Digital to Analog Converter(DAC)

[Altera_Forum]

Hello Guys 

 I am currently working on a project which I need to generate analog signals from 500khz up to 5Mhz.  the signal which we are generating will be a complex signal and therefore we need a DAC to do that. the power is not an issue as we have a good power amplifier. In our end product we will use high speed DAC. However, as this project is in research stage, we need something off the shelf and preferably computer based which generates signals. We can feed the expected signal data in a file or something to software and the device can generate our frequency. I was wondering if you let me know any device which can do that. I googled it and tried various vendors and still no luck.    Any information on that greatly appreciated.    Cheers Aidin

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---   I am currently working on a project which I need to generate analog signals from 500khz up to 5Mhz.   --- Quote End ---   With what level of dynamic range? (That determines the number of bits, the analog alias filtering requirements, and clock frequency)    --- Quote Start ---   the signal which we are generating will be a complex signal and therefore we need a DAC to do that.   --- Quote End ---   If you mean "complex" in the sense of exp(j*2*pi*f*t) = cos(2*pi*f*t) + j*sin(2*pi*f*t), then you need two DACs :)    --- Quote Start ---   However, as this project is in research stage, we need something off the shelf and preferably computer based which generates signals. We can feed the expected signal data in a file or something to software and the device can generate our frequency. I was wondering if you let me know any device which can do that. I googled it and tried various vendors and still no luck.   --- Quote End ---    Does your signal include DC? (This will help identify a suitable board).  Cheers, Dave

[Altera_Forum]

Thanks Dave for your reply. anything above 14 bits will do the job. nice to have filtering as well but it is not necessary and we can live with out it. my apology for using the term complex, the complex here refer to a broadband signal which includes various specific frequency components.there is no need for DC requirements. :) 

 cheers

[Altera_Forum]

Look at this Terasic board 

 http://www.terasic.com.tw/cgi-bin/page/archive.pl?language=english&categoryno=67&no=278  It has 14-bit ADCs and DACs and can run >10x the frequency you are interested. The bigger question is whether the low-frequency end due to the input baluns is high enough for your application. Read the data sheet and see.  Cheers, Dave

[Altera_Forum]

That is brilliant and quite cheap. thanks Dave