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The project proposal outlines the design and implementation of an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) utilizing natural and flat-top sampling techniques. It aims to create accurate digital representations of continuous-time signals using operational amplifiers and Mosfets, with a focus on simulation, interfacing with Arduino, and testing. The project will explore various ADC architectures, sampling rates, and their applications in embedded systems.

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3 views

Description_of_the_Assignment (1)

The project proposal outlines the design and implementation of an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) utilizing natural and flat-top sampling techniques. It aims to create accurate digital representations of continuous-time signals using operational amplifiers and Mosfets, with a focus on simulation, interfacing with Arduino, and testing. The project will explore various ADC architectures, sampling rates, and their applications in embedded systems.

Uploaded by

kboysuper8
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Project Proposal: Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)

with Natural and Flat-Top Sampling


Deepak Pandey and Harshita Kumari
February 11, 2025

Abstract
This project focuses on designing and implementing an Analog-to-Digital Con-
verter (ADC) incorporating natural and flat-top sampling techniques using oper-
ational amplifiers (op-amps) and Mosfets. The ADC will convert continuous-time
signals into discrete digital values, ensuring accurate signal acquisition. The project
will explore different ADC architectures, their resolution, sampling rates, and ap-
plications in embedded systems. The analog part of the project involves design-
ing and simulating natural and flat-top sampling circuits using op-amps, ensuring
compliance with the Nyquist criterion. And the digital part of the project (mainly
arduino) encodes the sampled signal into bitstream.

1 Introduction
Analog signals are continuous in nature and require digitization for processing in micro-
controllers, DSPs, and computing systems. ADCs bridge this gap by converting analog
voltages into binary data. The sampling process is the first stage of an ADC, ensuring
proper signal representation. This project involves the design of natural and flat-top
sampling circuits, followed by digital conversion using arduino.

2 Objectives
The key objectives of this project are:

• To design and implement natural (optional) and flat-top sampling circuits.

• To simulate and validate the sampling process using LTSPICE.

• To interface the ADC with an arduino and process the digital output.

• To test the complete circuit with arduino in Tinkerkad

• To physically test the complete circuit

1
3 Sampling of Signals: Natural and Flat-Top Sam-
pling
Sampling is a fundamental process in signal processing that converts an analog signal
into a discrete-time signal. There are three primary types of sampling:

• Ideal Sampling: Theoretical sampling at an infinitely high rate without any dis-
tortion.

• Natural Sampling: The input signal is multiplied by a sampling function, pre-


serving the waveform’s essential characteristics.

• Flat-Top Sampling: The top portion of the waveform is truncated horizontally,


simplifying signal processing but introducing amplitude distortion.

Figure 1: Enter Caption

Natural and flat-top sampling circuits typically involve the use of operational ampli-
fiers (op-amps) configured as voltage followers, along with transistors for signal truncation
(or as a switch). The Nyquist criterion must be satisfied to avoid aliasing effects. These
circuits are simulated using eSim and NGSPICE, ensuring accurate waveforms.

2
4 Expected Simulation Outputs

(a) Input Signal (b) Sampling Function

Figure 2: Comparison of Input Signal and Sampling Function

4.1 Natural Sampling


A periodic pulse train p(t) is generated which is multiplied to analog signal. To ensure
nyquist criterion is met the input should be in a particular range. In practical imple-
mentations, an operational amplifier (op-amp) is used along with switches (transistors)
to achieve natural sampling. The op-amp acts as a voltage follower to maintain signal
integrity. A transistor switch is used to periodically allow the input signal to pass.

(a) Natural Sampling Circuit (b) Expected Natural Sampling Output Plot

Figure 3: Natural Sampling: Circuit and Output Plot

4.2 Flat top Sampling


A periodic pulse train p(t) is generated which is multiplied to analog signal. To ensure
nyquist criterion is met the input should be in a particular range. This typically uses an
op-amp along with a capacitor to hold the voltage level once the signal is sampled. The
op-amp is configured as a voltage follower to buffer the input signal. A transistor switch
is used to control when the input signal is sampled. The switch is typically closed during
the sampling phase and open during the hold phase. After sampling, the voltage is stored
on a capacitor for the duration of the hold phase, providing a flat top on the waveform.

3
Figure 4: Flat top sampling circuit and expected output

5 Converting the Sampled Signal to Digital


To convert the sampled signal obtained after flat-top sampling into a digital signal, we
will directly process the sampled values without using the built-in ADC of the Arduino
Uno. The conversion process involves the following steps:

• The sampled signal is fed into the analog input pin of the Arduino Uno.

• Instead of using the ADC, the Arduino code will read each sample and classify it
into predefined voltage level ranges.

• Each range will be mapped to a corresponding binary value.

• The final bitstream will be displayed on an OLED screen for visualization.

This approach allows for a custom digitization scheme where voltage levels are directly
assigned to specific bit patterns without relying on the standard ADC resolution.

6 Discovered Topologies -

(a) Flat-Top Sampling Circuit (b) Natural Sampling Circuit

Figure 5: Flat-Top and Natural Sampling Circuits

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