What this 8-bit multiplying DAC brings to the bench
The DAC1408A-8Q is an 8-bit multiplying D/A converter built on an R-2R ladder architecture with current-unbuffered output. It settles to within 1/2 LSB in 250 ns typical.
Package and supply — what to expect on the board
This part comes in a 16-pin CERDIP (ceramic dual-in-line) package, through-hole mount. The ceramic body handles rework better than plastic — you can hit it with hot air without worrying about the package cracking, but the thermal mass means you'll want a preheat plate underneath. The supply scheme is split: analog and digital rails both accept ±4.5 V to -16.5 V on the negative side and 5.5 V positive. That bipolar analog supply lets the multiplying DAC swing below ground, which is essential for AC-coupled applications like function generators or audio level control.
Lifecycle and sourcing — still a current part
The DAC1408A-8Q carries an active lifecycle status. That matters if you're qualifying a BOM for a long-run product or maintaining a legacy design that already uses this footprint. The RoHS status is non-compliant, so if your assembly line requires lead-free solder, you'll need to handle this part separately or look for an RoHS-compliant variant.
What the 250 ns settling time means for your design
The 250 ns typical settling time governs how fast the output can change after a new digital code is clocked in.
Temperature range — commercial only
The operating temperature range is 0°C to 75°C — commercial grade. That rules out under-hood automotive, outdoor telecom cabinets in direct sun, or any environment where ambient temperature exceeds 75°C. If your application needs industrial temperature range (-40°C to 85°C), the AD7524JNZ covers that span in a through-hole package, though its settling time is 500 ns and it has differential output. For a drop-in functional alternative with wider temperature, the AD7943BRSZ-REEL is a 12-bit R-2R DAC with ±0.5 LSB INL/DNL, but it's surface-mount and 5 V single-supply only — not a pin-for-pin swap.