DAC (digital-to-analog converter)
Beginner
A circuit that turns a number into an electrical signal. A bigger number gives a stronger signal.
Novice
Converts a digital number into an analog voltage, current or pulse length. In a compute-in-memory array, DACs turn each input into a row voltage or pulse.
Expert
Often avoided by feeding inputs bit-serially (a 1-bit DAC is just a driver) or as pulse widths, trading cycles for area and power. Every row needs one, so multi-bit DACs add up quickly.
Explained in Sparsity, in-memory and analog compute (Architectures).
See also: ADC (analog-to-digital converter).