A Baker's Dozen Real Analog Solutions for Digital Designers

Preface .....................................................................................................ix
Acknowledgments ......................................................................................xi
About the Author .................................................................................... xiii
Chapter 1: Bridging the Gap Between Analog and Digital .............................. 1
Try to Measure Temperature Digitally ....................................................................................... 6
Road Blocks Abound ................................................................................................................. 8
The Ultimate Key to Analog Success ...................................................................................... 14
How Analog and Digital Design Differ ................................................................................... 15
Time and Its Inversion .............................................................................................................. 20
Organizing Your Toolbox ......................................................................................................... 21
Set Your Foundation and Move On, Out of the Box ................................................................ 22
Chapter 1 References ............................................................................................................... 23
Chapter 2: The Basics Behind Analog-to-Digital Converters .......................... 25
The Key Specifications of Your ADC ...................................................................................... 28
Successive Approximation Register (SAR) Converters ........................................................... 40
Sigma-Delta (Σ−Δ) Converters ................................................................................................ 46
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 59
Chapter 2 References ............................................................................................................... 60
Chapter 3: The Right ADC for the Right Application ................................... 63
Classes of Input Signals .......................................................................................................... 65
Using an RTD for Temperature Sensing: SAR Converter or Sigma-Delta Solution? ............. 72
RTD Signal Conditioning Path Using the Sigma-Delta ADC ................................................ 76
Measuring Pressure: SAR Converter or Sigma-Delta Solution? ............................................. 77
The Pressure Sensor Signal Conditioning Path Using a SAR ADC ....................................... 79
Pressure Sensor Signal Conditioning Path Using a Sigma-Delta ADC ................................... 80
Photodiode Applications .......................................................................................................... 81
Photosensing Signal Conditioning Path Using a SAR ADC ................................................... 81
Photosensing Signal Conditioning Path Using a Sigma-Delta ADC ....................................... 82
Motor Control Solutions .......................................................................................................... 83
Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 88
Chapter 3 References ............................................................................................................... 89
Chapter 4: Do I Filter Now, Later or Never? ............................................... 91
Key Low-Pass Analog Filter Design Parameters ..................................................................... 95
Anti-Aliasing Filter Theory ................................................................................................... 103
Analog Filter Realization ....................................................................................................... 105
How to Pick Your Operational Amplifier ............................................................................... 108
Anti-Aliasing Filters for Near DC Analog Signals ................................................................ 109
Multiplexed Systems .............................................................................................................. 112
Continuous Analog Signals .................................................................................................... 114
Matching the Anti-Aliasing Filter to the System ................................................................... 115
Chapter 4 References ............................................................................................................. 116
Chapter 5: Finding the Perfect Op Amp for Your Perfect Circuit ................. 117
Choose the Technology Wisely .............................................................................................. 121
Fundamental Operational Amplifier Circuits ......................................................................... 122
Using these Fundamentals ..................................................................................................... 129
Amplifier Design Pitfalls ....................................................................................................... 131
Chapter 5 References ............................................................................................................. 133
Chapter 6: Putting the Amp Into a Linear System ...................................... 135
The Basics of Amplifier DC Operation .................................................................................. 137
Every Amplifier is Waiting to Oscillate, and Every Oscillator is
Waiting to Amplify ............................................................................................................. 151
Determining System Stability ............................................................................................... 157
Time Domain Performance .................................................................................................... 161
Go Forth ............................................................................................................................... 163
Chapter 6 References ............................................................................................................. 164
Chapter 7: SPICE of Life ........................................................................ 165
The Old Pencil and Paper Design Process ............................................................................. 172
Is Your Simulation Fundamentally Valid? .............................................................................. 175
Macromodels: What Can They Do? ...................................................................................... 179
Concluding Remarks .............................................................................................................. 183
Chapter 7 References ............................................................................................................. 184
Chapter 8: Working the Analog Problem From the Digital Domain ............. 185
Pulse Width Modulators (PWM) Used as a Digital-to-Analog Converter ............................. 188
Using the Comparator for Analog Conversions ..................................................................... 194
Window Comparator .............................................................................................................. 196
Combining the Comparator with a Timer .............................................................................. 197
Using the Timer and Comparator to Build a Sigma-Delta A/D Converter ........................... 199
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 207
Chapter 8 References ............................................................................................................. 208
Chapter 9: Systems Where Analog and Digital Work Together ................... 209
Selecting the Right Battery Chemistry for Your Application ................................................. 212
Taking the Battery Voltage to a Useful System Voltage ......................................................... 213
Defining Power Supply Efficiency ........................................................................................ 214
Comparing The Three Power Devices ................................................................................... 219
What is the Best Solution for Battery-Operated Systems? .................................................... 221
Designing Low-Power Microcontroller Systems is a State of Mind ..................................... 222
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 228
Chapter 9 References ............................................................................................................. 229
Chapter 10: Noise – The Three Categories: Device, Conducted and Emitted .. 231
Definitions of Noise Specifications and Terms ...................................................................... 234
Device Noise ......................................................................................................................... 238
Conducted Noise .................................................................................................................... 254
Chapter 10 References ........................................................................................................... 260
Chapter 11: Layout/Grounding (Precision, High Speed and Digital) ............ 261
The Similarities of Analog and Digital Layout Practices ...................................................... 263
Where the Domains Differ – Ground Planes Can Be a Problem .......................................... 266
Where the Board and Component Parasitics Can Do the Most Damage ............................... 267
Layout Techniques That Improve ADC Accuracy and Resolution ....................................... 274
The Art of Laying Out Two-Layer Boards ............................................................................ 277
Current Return Paths With or Without a Ground Plane ......................................................... 281
Layout Tricks for a 12-Bit Sensing System ........................................................................... 282
General Layout Guidelines – Device Placement ................................................................... 284
General Layout Guidelines – Ground and Power Supply Strategy ....................................... 284
Signal Traces .......................................................................................................................... 287
Did I Say Bypass and Use an Anti-Aliasing Filter? ............................................................... 287
Bypass Capacitors .................................................................................................................. 287
Anti-Aliasing Filters .............................................................................................................. 288
PCB Design Checklist ........................................................................................................... 288
Chapter 11 References ........................................................................................................... 290
Chapter 12: The Trouble With Troubleshooting Your Mixed-Signal Designs
Without the Right Tools ....................................................................... 291
The Basic Tools for Your Troubleshooting Arsenal ............................................................... 293
You ask, “Does my Circuit A/D Converter Work?” ............................................................... 295
Power Supply Noise ............................................................................................................... 298
Improper Use of Amplifiers ................................................................................................... 301
Don’t Miss the Details ........................................................................................................... 303
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 305
Chapter 12 References ........................................................................................................... 306
Chapter 13: Combining Digital and Analog in the Same Engineer, and on the
Same Board ........................................................................................ 307
The Signal Chain to the Real World ...................................................................................... 309
Tools of the Trade .................................................................................................................. 310
Throwing the Digital In With the Analog .............................................................................. 314
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 318
Appendix A: Analog-to-Digital Converter Specification Definitions
and Formulas ...................................................................................... 319
Appendix B: Reading FFTs ...................................................................... 329
Reading the FFT Plot ............................................................................................................. 331
Appendix C: Op Amp Specification Definitions and Formulas ...................... 337
Index .................................................................................................... 343