Analog to Digital Converters (ADC) 2 ©Paul Godin Created April 2008

Introduction ◊There are several methods of converting Analog values to digital values, including: ◊Flash ADC ◊Ramp ADC ◊SAC ADC ADC 2.2

Other Methods of ADC ◊Up/Down Ramp ◊Similar to the Ramp ADC but instead of starting the count at zero for each measurement it increments the counter up or down based on the direction of the analog input. The time it takes for conversion is variable. ◊Voltage-Frequency ADC ◊This device utilizes a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO). The higher the input voltage the higher the output frequency of the VCO. The ADC enables the output of the VCO for a specific period of time and the output of the oscillator is connected to a counter. The result of the count is supplied as the digital value. ADC 2.3

Other Methods of ADC ◊Sigma/Delta ◊Creates an internal bitstream based upon the difference (Delta) between the analog input and a feedback comparator. The running total (Sigma) is reported as the digitized value. Operates at a high internal frequency. See for more information. ADC 2.4

Errors ◊Analog to Digital systems have several possible sources of error. ◊The errors can be the result of: ◊Quantization ◊Noise ◊Slew ◊Under-Sampling ADC 2.5

Quantization Error ◊Quantization errors are a normal occurrence for ADCs. The input voltage will commonly have a value that is between the LSB voltage step and must be rounded up or down. ◊For instance, if the resolution is 20mV per bit and a value of 10 mV is applied, the ADC will interpret this as either 0v or 20 mV, depending on the ADC design. ADC 2.6

Quantization ◊There are several additional quantization issues: ◊If the total number of bits representing the amplitude of the signal is too small the quantization error increases. ◊If the voltage applied to the ADC is not properly compensated then the full range of output values is not used. ADC 2.7

Quantization and Sampling ◊Sampling-Related Quantization Errors ◊Relatively low sampling frequencies can lead to quantization errors ◊If the sampling frequency is slightly different from the analog signal’s frequency (or a harmonic..a factor of the frequency), then the values may not indicate all the peaks and valleys, leading to other harmonics (also see aliasing). ADC 2.8

Not quite perfect...lower sample rate Above: original signal with samples Below: imperfections in the digital output quantization ADC 2.9

Not quite perfect...higher sample rate ADC 2.10

Noise ◊Noise is a factor in analog communications and it causes problems in ADC. ◊The sources for noise are varied and can be somewhat complex. ◊Sources include: ◊External Sources ◊Internal circuit sources ◊Aliasing ADC 2.11

Aliasing ◊Higher quality ADC (and DAC) will contain anti-aliasing filters to remove frequencies that are aliasing (“posing”) as signal. ◊Aliasing occurs when additional frequencies are inadvertently produced in the AD process. ◊For instance, if there are some frequencies present in the original signal that are higher than the Nyquist sample rate, a different lower frequency may appear on the conversion. ◊Aliasing also occurs with adequate sampling frequencies. ADC 2.12

Aliasing with Inadequate Sampling Rate ADC 2.13

Aliasing with an Adequate Sampling Rate ADC 2.14

Noise Sources ◊Analog values are susceptible to noise (an advantage of digital electronics!). This noise causes problems for the AD conversion, as the noise will be included in the conversion process. ◊There are external and internal sources of noise. ◊External: use filters and proper techniques to minimize noise (such as decoupling, isolation, etc) ◊Internal: switching noise occurs with AD converters. Use filters, decoupling and ground isolation. Thermal noise (aka white noise) is caused by a variety of reasons. ◊Other solutions include processing the signal (DSP), injecting additional white noise to help average out the noise and ignoring the LSB. ADC 2.15

Filter ◊The analog input to an ADC should contain a low- pass filter to ensure high frequencies cannot pass and create aliasing problems. ◊Advanced filtering techniques are also employed. These include DSP (Digital Signal Processing) to mathematically analyze and adjust the digital values. ADC 2.16

Gain Error ◊A Gain Error occurs when the ADC produces an output at a different quantization level than desired. The output is linear but the steps are either larger or smaller than they should be. The resolution is poor and there is the possibility of clipping (the binary number stops changing with a change in analog input). The voltage values will be inaccurately represented. Red: Ideal Blue: Error Green: Error Input Volts Binary Code ADC 2.17

Gain Error Red: Ideal Blue: Error Green: Error Typical Causes: wrong V DD /V EE /V reference voltage to the ADC Improper Analog input voltage ADC 2.18

Offset Error ◊An Offset Error occurs when the output has the same voltage per step but the starting voltage is different. Red: Ideal Blue: Error Green: Error Input Volts Binary Code ADC 2.19

Offset Error Red: Ideal Blue: Error Green: Error Typical Causes: Improper ground reference Improper analog voltage range ADC 2.20

Non-Linearity: Non-Monotonic ◊A Monotonic Error occurs when the individual voltage steps are non-linear. Red: Ideal Blue: Error Input Volts Binary Code ADC 2.21

Non-Linearity: Non-Monotonic Red: Ideal Blue: Error Typical Causes: defective ADC wrong outputs measured significant noise on ac input ADC 2.22

Slew ◊Slew represents the maximum rate of change of a signal. Slew rate is measured in V/t. Black: ideal binary step from ADC Grey: binary step from ADC with slew ADC 2.23

Analog Sample & Hold ◊The AD conversion process may be adversely affected when an analog signal changes voltage during conversion. ◊Analog sample & hold circuits are able to capture the analog value and retain it, allowing the ADC to perform the conversion without input changes. ADC 2.24 Analog In Digitally controlled switch Storage Capacitor Analog to ADC

Specification Sheet ◊View the specification sheet for the ADC08 from National Instruments. ◊Definitions: ◊Common-Mode noise is noise that occurs on both conductors at the same time. ◊Ratiometric means measures the ratio, or takes ratio into account when measuring. ADC 2.25

DSP ◊Digital Signal Processors perform operations on the digitized signals including: ◊removing interference, noise and other frequency and transmission effects ◊encoding the values for transmission ◊reconstruct signals by enhancing or decreasing specific frequencies ◊DSPs are complex devices that rely on programming code (algorithms) to perform operations. ADC 2.26

ADC-DAC with DSP Filter ADC DSP DAC DSP Filter ADC 2.27

DSP ◊Analog signals contain noise. Noise can be filtered but sometimes the filtering process can eliminate wanted frequencies. ◊The better means of removing noise is to take an average, as illustrated below as the red line. Analog Signal with Noise ADC 2.28

DSP (a simplified representation) ADC Registers with samples Registers with older samples Multiplier Cumulative adder ADC 2.29

©Paul R. Godin prgodin gmail.com END ADC2 ADC 2.30