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ADC Basics for Embedded Systems

This document discusses analog to digital converters (ADCs) and their use in embedded systems. It explains that physical quantities are analog but computers use digital signals, so ADCs are needed to convert analog sensor outputs to digital numbers for processing. The document provides a block diagram of an 8-bit ADC and describes some key ADC characteristics like resolution, conversion time, reference voltage, and how these factors determine the digital output code. It gives examples of temperature control and voice amplification systems that require ADCs.

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Abdullah Muzammil
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98 views11 pages

ADC Basics for Embedded Systems

This document discusses analog to digital converters (ADCs) and their use in embedded systems. It explains that physical quantities are analog but computers use digital signals, so ADCs are needed to convert analog sensor outputs to digital numbers for processing. The document provides a block diagram of an 8-bit ADC and describes some key ADC characteristics like resolution, conversion time, reference voltage, and how these factors determine the digital output code. It gives examples of temperature control and voice amplification systems that require ADCs.

Uploaded by

Abdullah Muzammil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Advanced Embedded

Systems

ADC (analog-to-digital converter)

Lecture 0802

The AVR Microcontroller and Embedded Systems using Assembly and C


by
M. A. Mazidi, S. Naimi and S. Naimi

1
Analog vs. Digital Signals
 Digital computers or embedded systems use
binary (discrete) values.

 But in the physical world, everything is analog


(continuous).
 Temperature
 Pressure
 Humidity
 Velocity

2
Sensors and need of ADC
A physical quantity (Temperature, Pressure, Humidity,
Velocity etc.) is converted to electrical signals (voltage,
current) using a device called transducer/sensor.

Sensors for temperature, velocity, pressure, light and


many other quantities produce an output that is analog
voltage.

Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) translates the


analog signals to digital numbers so that an embedded
system can read and process them.

3
Microcontroller connection to the ADC

Electrical Electrical
Physical Transducer Signals Signals
A/D
Quantity /Sensor (V,I) (V,I)
Analog Digital

Desired Output Digital Processing


Task Device Device

4
Physical Quantities & System
 Example 1: Temperature Control

Digital Processing
Temp Sense A/D Fan
Device

 Example 2: Human Voice Amplification

5
Block Diagram of an 8-bit ADC

6
Some Major Characteristics of ADC

 Conversion Time
 Conversion time is an important factor.

 Conversion time is defined as the time it takes the


ADC to convert the analog input to a digital number.

 It depends on the clock source connected to the ADC,


in addition, the method used for data conversion and
technology used in fabrication (MOS/TTL).

7
Some Major Characteristics of ADC
 Resolution
 The ADC has n-bit resolution (n can be 8, 10, 12, 16 etc.)
 Higher-resolution ADCs provide a smaller step size
 Step size is smallest change that can be measured by ADC
 Step size can be controlled by Reference Voltage (Vref)

 
S

8
Reference Voltage (Vref)
 Reference Voltage along
with resolution defines the
step size of ADC.
DOUT

 Usually, Vref can go maximum 11

upto Vcc (Supply) of Micro- 10


controller.
01

00 Vin
n

Vref(-)

Vref(+)
Vin ADC Output
(binary number)

Vref

9
Step Size

10
Digital Data Output
n-bit ADC would have n-
bit digital output

  n
Vin ADC Output
(binary numbe

Vref

For an 10-bit ADC and Vref = 5 V.


Calculate the D0-D9 output if the analog input is
(a) 5 volts, (b) 2.5 volts, (c) 0.2 volts and (d) 0 V

11

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