If an 8-bit digital to analog converter (DAC) produces an analog output voltage with a range of 10 volts (0-9 volts), what is the smallest incremental step in voltage that can be generated at the output?
• Resolution of an n-bit DAC and how many discrete steps it can output • How to calculate voltage step size from total voltage range and number of steps • Difference between number of bits (levels) and voltage range
• First, determine how many discrete output levels an 8-bit DAC can produce. Is it 2^8 or 8^2? • Once you know the number of levels, think about how many intervals (steps) there are across a 0–9 V span. • Divide the total voltage range by the number of steps to find the size of one increment, then compare to the choices.
• Verify you are using 2^n for the number of levels of an n‑bit converter. • Be clear whether you divide the voltage range by the number of levels or the number of steps between levels. • Check that your final step size is close to one of the choices and that multiplying it by the number of steps gives about 9 V total span.
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