Data Converters-II

Analog Electronics (EEE/INSTR C341)

Date: 23/04/2016
Dr. Anita Agrawal,
BITS, Pilani-K.K.Birla Goa Campus

D/A CONVERTERS

24-04-2016 13:11

Anita Agrawal

Sampling frequency: Nyquist criteria/Sampling

theorem which states that:
In order to represent/convert the analog signal
correctly, the sampling frequency fsample must be
atleast twice the highest frequency component
fa(max) of the analog signal.

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Anita Agrawal

Nyquist criteria contd

alias
The highest analog frequency can be no greater than
one-half the sampling frequency

The frequency fa(max) is known as the Nyquist

frequency
fsample f a (max)
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Anita Agrawal

Nyquist criteria contd

If an input frequency component is greater than the

Nyquist frequency, then a unique form of distortion
called alias is produced which is equal to the
difference in the input frequency and the sampling
rate.

24-04-2016 13:11

Anita Agrawal

Amplitude resolution

It represents the finest discernible change in the signal and is

often represented in terms of no. of bits.

Important to note that once the size of the digital word is

chosen and the peak amplitude is fixed, the input signal must
stay within the specific bounds or gross distortion will occur.
For ex.

24-04-2016 13:11

Anita Agrawal

 Applied to DSP: performs operations on incoming data.

D/A conversion
Reconstruction filter: Low pass reconstruction filter to
smoothen the DAC output by eliminating high frequency
contents that result from the fast transitions of the stairstep

24-04-2016 13:11

Anita Agrawal

Other D/A converters

Inverted R-2R ladder D/A converter
Switched-Capacitor D/A converter
Serial D/A converter
Pipelined D/A converter

24-04-2016 13:11

Anita Agrawal

Inverted R-2R

Anita Agrawal

Serial D/A converter

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Anita Agrawal

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Drawbacks
Requires considerable external circuitry to decide
upon which switch is to be open and which to close
during the conversion process.
Errors due to:
Parasitic capacitances
Capacitive parasitic capacitances
Switch parasitic capacitances

Clock-feed through

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Anita Agrawal

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 Conversion speed is slower

Advantages:
Can be realised in a small chip area

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Anita Agrawal

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Pipelined DAC
Modified serial charge distribution converter.
(n+1) equal valued capacitors, 4n+2 switches for n-bit
conversion

Cascades n+1 serial charge redistribution converters

Uses a new clocking scheme.

Has an improved conversion scheme than the serial

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Anita Agrawal

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Anita Agrawal

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Drawbacks
Non-ideal effects in the converter affects the
conversion accuracy.
Capacitor mismatch
Incomplete charge transfer due to non-zero Rswitch C time
constants
Clock feedthrough due to overlap capacitances, channel
charges and charge pumping in the switches.

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Anita Agrawal

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