Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)
Module
Background Information
What is ADC?
Conversion Process
Accuracy
Examples of ADC applications
Signal Types
Analog Signals
Any continuous signal that a
time varying variable of the
signal is a representation of
some other time varying
quantity
Measures one quantity in
terms of some other quantity t
Examples
• Speedometer needle as
function of speed
• Radio volume as function of
knob movement
Signal Types
Digital Signals
Consist of only two states
Binary States
On and of 1
Computers can only
perform processing on
digitized signals 0
Analog-Digital Converter (ADC)
An electronic integrated circuit which converts a signal from
analog (continuous) to digital (discrete) form
Provides a link between the analog world of transducers and
the digital world of signal processing and data handling
V k
t t
ADC Conversion Process
Two main steps of process:
1. Sampling and Holding
2. Quantization and Encoding
Analog-to-Digital Converter
Quantizing
and
Encoding
Sampling and
Hold
t
Input: Analog Signal t
ADC Process
Sampling & Hold
Measuring analog signals at
uniform time intervals
t
Ideally twice as fast as what
we are sampling
Digital system works with
t
discrete states
Taking a sample from each
location
Reflects sampled and hold
signal
Digital approximation
t
ADC Process
Quantizing Encoding
Separating the input signal Assigning a unique
into a discrete states with K digital code to each
increments
state for input into the
K=2N
N is the number of bits of the
microprocessor
ADC
Analog quantization size
Q=(Vmax-Vmin)/2N
Q is the Resolution
ADC Process
Quantization & Coding
Use original analog
signal
Apply 2 bit coding
11
10
01
00
K=22 00 01
10
11
ADC Process
Quantization & Coding
Use original analog
signal
Apply 3 bit coding
Better representation of
input information with
additional bits K=23 000 001
K=16 0000 K=… .
MCS12 has max of 10 010 .
011 .
bits 100 1111
101
110
111
ADC Process-Accuracy
The accuracy of an ADC can be improved by increasing:
t t
Sampling Rate, Ts Resolution, Q
Based on number of steps Improves accuracy in
required in the conversion measuring amplitude of
process
analog signal
Increases the maximum
frequency that can be measured
Limited by the signal-to-
noise ratio (~6dB)
ADC Process-Accuracy
The accuracy of an ADC can be improved by increasing:
t t
Sampling Rate, Ts Resolution (bit depth), Q
Based on number of steps
required in the conversion Improves accuracy in
process measuring amplitude of
Increases the maximum analog signal
frequency that can be measured
ADC-Error Possibilities
Aliasing (sampling)
Occurs when the input signal is changing much faster than
the sample rate
Should follow the Nyquist Rule when sampling
• Answers question of what sample rate is required
• Use a sampling frequency at least twice as high as the maximum
frequency in the signal to avoid aliasing
• fsample>2*fsignal
Quantization Error (resolution)
Optimize resolution
Dependent on ADC converter of microcontoller
ADC Applications
ADC are used virtually everywhere where an
analog signal has to be processed, stored, or
transported in digital form
Microphones
Strain Gages
Thermocouple
Digital Multimeters
Types of ADC
Successive Approximation A/D Converter
Flash A/D Converter
Dual Slope A/D Converter
Delta-Sigma A/D Converter
Successive Approximation ADC
Elements
• DAC = Digital to Analog Converter
• EOC = End of Conversion
• SAR = Successive Approximation Register
• S/H = Sample and Hold Circuit
• Vin = Input Voltage
• Comparator
• Vref = Reference Voltage
Comparison of ADC’s
Speed Cost Resolution
Type Accuracy
(relative) (relative) (bits)
Dual Slope Slow Med 12-16 Good
Flash Very Fast High 4-12 Good
Successive Medium – Low 8-16 High
Approx Fast
Sigma – Slow Low 12-24 Good
Delta
For 10bit ADC, Resolution==4.88mv/step
Analog Voltage Decimal output Binary output
0 0 00 0000 0000
5 1023 11 1111 1111
2.5 511 01 1111 1111
1.25 255 00 1111 1111
ADC in PIC16F877A
Single ADC module.
Successive approximation ADC.
8 channel ADC 8 input signals could be sampled.
Only one channel could be selected at a time.
10 bit ADC- the result after conversion is 10 bits.
ADRESH, ADRESL
0 to 5V analog input.
Selectable references +Vref, -Vref
Unidirectional ADC
Control Registers: ADCON0,ADCON1
ADC -The configuration …
The A/D conversion time per bit is defined as TAD.
For correct A/D conversions, the A/D conversion clock (TAD) must be
selected to ensure a minimum TAD time of 1.6 μs.
