[sdiy] Which programable chip?

[Ullrich Peter]

>> Arduino certainly looks easy to use, but it doesn't seem to have any
>> analogue outputs. Is there anything like Arduino that also includes on
>> board DACs (at least 12 bit)?
>That's it... there's the problem. I need 8 analog ins and 8 analog outs and all the switchy bits in between.

For the 8 channel DAC you could use one of the Maxim 8 channel 12 Bit DACs with SPI interface:

MAX5306 / MAX5307
MAX5590A / MAX5590B

price about 10$ at 1k

For the ADC you could use one of the Maxim 8 channel 12 Bit ADCs with SPI interface:

MAX1270 / MAX1271   about 9$ at 1k
MAX11628 / MAX11629 (new / no price)

These chips cost you only a few SPI pins and a chip select per device.

Maxim normally sends you free samples!

Ciao
Peter

http://www.ullrich.at.tt