> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lagerdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# DAC

> Control DAC output on box

Control DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) output on your device. The DAC command sets a precise analog voltage on a DAC net, useful for generating reference voltages, bias signals, or test stimuli.

## Syntax

```bash theme={null}
lager dac [OPTIONS] NET [VOLTAGE]
```

## Global Options

| Option       | Description                 |
| ------------ | --------------------------- |
| `--box TEXT` | Lagerbox name or IP address |
| `--help`     | Show help message and exit  |

## Arguments

* `NET` - Name of the DAC Net to control
* `VOLTAGE` - Voltage value in volts to output

## Supported Hardware

| Manufacturer          | Model   | Channels      | Output Range | Resolution |
| --------------------- | ------- | ------------- | ------------ | ---------- |
| LabJack               | T7      | 2 (DAC0-DAC1) | 0 to 5 V     | 16-bit     |
| Measurement Computing | USB-202 | 2 (DAC0-DAC1) | 0 to 5 V     | 12-bit     |

### Channel Naming

When creating DAC nets, the channel name depends on the hardware:

**LabJack T7:** `DAC0`, `DAC1`, or numeric `0`, `1`

**MCC USB-202:** `DAC0`, `DAC1`, `AOUT0`, `AOUT1`, or numeric `0`, `1`

## Default Net

Set a default DAC net to avoid specifying the name each time:

```bash theme={null}
lager defaults add --dac-net VOLTAGE_OUTPUT
```

Then:

```bash theme={null}
lager dac 3.3
```

## Examples

```bash theme={null}
# Set DAC output to 3.3V
lager dac VOLTAGE_OUTPUT 3.3 --box my-lager-box

# Set DAC output to 5.0V
lager dac POWER_RAIL 5.0 --box my-lager-box

# Set DAC output to 1.8V
lager dac REFERENCE_VOLTAGE 1.8 --box my-lager-box

# Set DAC output to 0V
lager dac SIGNAL_GENERATOR 0.0 --box my-lager-box
```

## Troubleshooting

| Issue              | Cause                               | Fix                                                                                                            |
| ------------------ | ----------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Output stuck at 0V | Net not configured or wrong channel | Verify net configuration with `lager nets --box <box>`                                                         |
| Voltage inaccurate | Resolution limit or load effects    | Both LabJack T7 and USB-202 output 0-5V; verify your circuit doesn't draw too much current from the DAC output |
| "Net not found"    | Typo or net not created             | Check available nets with `lager nets --box <box>`. Net names are case-sensitive.                              |

## Notes

* Net names (e.g., `VOLTAGE_OUTPUT`, `POWER_RAIL`) refer to names assigned when setting up your testbed
* Voltage values are specified in volts
* Only works with nets of type `dac`
* Ensure the target box has DAC nets properly configured
* DAC outputs provide precise voltage control for analog circuits
* Both supported hardware models output 0-5V
* USB-202 channels can be specified as `0`-`1`, `DAC0`-`DAC1`, or `AOUT0`-`AOUT1`

## See Also

* [ADC](/source/reference/cli/adc) -- Analog-to-digital converter input (the complement of DAC)
* [Python DAC API](/source/reference/python/dac) -- Set DAC output in Python scripts