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Electronic Converters

There are two main types of electronic converters: analog to digital converters (ADCs) and digital to analog converters (DACs). ADCs convert continuous analog signals into discrete digital numbers, while DACs perform the opposite conversion from digital to analog. The document describes several methods for ADCs, including simultaneous, counter type, and successive approximation. It also discusses weighted resistor and R-2R ladder approaches for DACs.

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Kairredin Mahamed Husen
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61 views18 pages

Electronic Converters

There are two main types of electronic converters: analog to digital converters (ADCs) and digital to analog converters (DACs). ADCs convert continuous analog signals into discrete digital numbers, while DACs perform the opposite conversion from digital to analog. The document describes several methods for ADCs, including simultaneous, counter type, and successive approximation. It also discusses weighted resistor and R-2R ladder approaches for DACs.

Uploaded by

Kairredin Mahamed Husen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ELECTRONIC CONVERTERS

In general, there are two types of electrical


signals – the analog signal and the digital signal.

The linear electronics circuit like linear


amplifier, transducers; generate such analog
signals, while the computers generate digital
signals.
Types of Electronic Converters

1. ADC (Analog to Digital Converter)


2. DAC (Digital to Analog Converter)
ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) - An analog-to-digital
converter (ADC, A/D or A-to-D) is an electronic circuit,
which converts continuous signals (voltage or current)
to discrete digital numbers (may be different coding
systems, such as binary, Gray code or two's
complement binary

The process of converting analog signal into equivalent


digital signal is called A/D conversion.
The electronics circuit, which does this process, is called
A/D converter. The circuit has only one input
with ‘n’ number of digital outputs.
Simultaneous A/D converter

a comparator compares the unknown voltage with a


known value of voltage and then produces proportional
output (i.e. it will produce either a 1 or a 0).
Counter type A/D converter
here one input of comparator is connected to the analog signal (i.e. unknown
voltage) and other is connected to the analog output of binary ladder (R–2R
ladder, at point ‘P’).
The clock– input block produces square waves. They are connected to the
gate–control block. When output of comparator is HIGH (logic–1), it connects
the clock pulses to the input of counter. However, when its output is LOW
(logic–0), it cuts off the clock pulses, so that counting stops. The number of
clock pulses connected depends on the value of analog voltage. The higher is
the analog voltage the greater is the number of clock pulses counted by the
counter. Then counter produces proportional binary output. Its output is fed to
the level amplifier. It amplifies the output voltage of counter proportionally.
This output is then fed to binary ladder. The binary ladder produces
proportional analog voltage at point ‘P’.
Now when then circuit is switched on, initially the counter is
RESET to 0000. Suppose we connect a known value of analog
voltage = 9V. Therefore, there will be a difference in input
voltages of comparator. Hence, output of comparator will be
HIGH (logic–1). The counter will start counting the clock
pulses and will produce equivalent binary number. Its output
will sequentially change from 0001, 0010, 0011 and so on.
When the output is 1001, which is = 9V, both inputs of
comparator will be at same voltage. Therefore, its output will
be LOW (logic–0). So the gate will be cutoff and the counter
will stop counting. The final digital output will be 1001 = 9V.
In this way, any analog voltage can be converted into its
equivalent digital output.
Successive Approximation Method

the basic drawback of counter method (given above) is that it has longer
conversion time. Because it always starts from 0000 at every measurement, until
the analog voltage is matched.
The output of SAR does not increase step–by–step in BCD
bus pattern, but individual bit becomes high–starting from
MSB. Then by comparison, the bit is fixed or removed. Thus,
it sets first MSB (1000), then the second MSB (0100) and so
on. Every time, the output of SAR is converted to equivalent
analog voltage by binary ladder. It is then compared with
applied unknown voltage (Va). The comparison process goes
on, in binary search style, until the binary equivalent of
analog voltage is obtained.
NOTE:
DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTER (DAC)

The process of converting digital signal into equivalent analog


signal is called D/A conversion.

The electronics circuit, which does this process, is called D/A


converter. The circuit has ‘n’ number of digital data inputs with
only one output.

Basically, there are two types of D/A converter circuits:


1. Weighted resistors D/A converter circuit
2. Binary ladder or R–2R ladder D/A converter circuit.
Weighted resistors D/A converter – here an opamp is
used as summing amplifier. There are four resistors R, 2R,
4R and 8R at the input terminals of the opamp with R as
feedback resistor. The network of resistors at the input
terminal of opamp is called as variable resistor network.
Disadvantage of the circuit:

1) Each resistor in the circuit has different value.


2) So error in value of each resistor adds up.
3) The value of resistor at MSB is the lowest. Hence, it draws more
current.
4) Also, its heat & power dissipation is very high.
5) There is the problem of impedance matching due to different values of
resistors.
R–2R ladder D/A converter – it is modern type of
resistor network. It has only two values of resistors the R
and 2R. These values repeat throughout in the circuit.
The opamp is used at output for scaling the output
Voltage.

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