A/D- Converter

An analog to digital converter (ADC) is an

electronic device used to convert input analog
current to a digital number based on the current's
magnitude. ADCs are either linear or non-linear
according to response, and are further categorized
into five different types, namely: successive
approximation, dual slope integrating, flash,
.charge balancing and sigma-delta converter

This circuit is a simple 8-bit analogue to digital

converter circuit which is connects to PC serial
port. The circuit is based on TLC548 A/D-converter
chip (might be hard to get nowadays, Texas
Instruments makes this IC), which is an A/D-
converter with serial output. The output of the
TLC548 is not directly suitable for standard serial
data reception, so this circuit uses serial port
handshaking lines in a nonstandard way which
enables the communication between computer and
converter chip to be implemented with as few
.components as possible
The circuit takes all the power it needs from PC
.serial port

The circuit of A-to-D converter shown here is

configured around ADC 0808, avoiding the use of a
microprocessor. The ADC 0808 is an 8-bit A-to-D
converter, having data lines D0-D7. It works on the
principle of successive approximation. It has a total
of eight analogue input channels, out of which any
one can be selected using address lines A, B and C.
Here, in this case, input channel IN0 is selected by
.grounding A, B and C address lines
Usually the control signals EOC (end of
conversion), SC (start conversion), ALE (address
latch enable) and OE (output enable) are
interfaced by means of a microprocessor. However,
the circuit shown here is built to operate in its
continuous mode without using any
microprocessor. Therefore the input control signals
ALE and OE, being active-high, are tied to Vcc (+5
volts). The input control signal SC, being active-
low, initiates start of conversion at falling edge of
the pulse, whereas the output signal EOC becomes
high after completion of digitization. This EOC
output is coupled to SC input, where falling edge of
EOC output acts as SC input to direct the ADC to
.start the conversion
As the conversion starts, EOC signal goes high. At
next clock pulse EOC output again goes low, and
hence SC is enabled to start the next conversion.
Thus, it provides continuous 8-bit digital output
corresponding to instantaneous value of analogue
input. The maximum level of analogue input
voltage should be appropriately scaled down below
.positive reference (+5V) level
The ADC 0808 IC requires clock signal of typically
550 kHz, which can be easily derived from a stable
multi vibrator, constructed using 7404 inverter
gates. In order to visualize the digital output, the
row of eight LEDs (LED1 through LED8) have been
used, wherein each LED is connected to respective
data lines D0 through D7. Since ADC works in the
continuous mode, it displays digital output as soon
as analogue input is applied. The decimal
equivalent digital output value D for a given
analogue input voltage Vin can be calculated from
the relationship
 Types of Analog to Digital Converters

Successive Approximation Converter

• Successive approximation converters provide
a relatively speedy conversion of the input
signal. They function by comparing the input
with a voltage that is half its input range.
When the input signal is over this level, the
converter compares it with three quarters of
the range. During comparison, the signal is
frozen and stored in a sample and hold circuit.
Once the conversion is finished, the data is
transferred and placed to the computer's
buffer memory, in which it is read and
processed in convenient batches.
Dual Slope Integrating Converter
• Relatively slower than the successive
approximation converter, the dual slope type
is known to reduce noise and allows the input
signal to charge a capacitor for a certain time
frame to be measured later after the capacitor
discharges at a fixed rate.
Charge Balancing Converter
• The charge balancing converter works similar
to the dual slope integrating converter in
terms of using the input signal to charge a
capacitor, but this time the capacitor is
discharged in units of charge packets. If the
capacitor is charged more than the required
packet size, the converter will release a
packet; if not, a packet will not be produced.
The input voltage or current is then
determined by measuring the pulses coming
out of the capacitor. In this type of converter,
noise effects are reduced as the input signal is
integrated along with the capacitor charging
time.
Flash Converter
• The fastest type of ADC is the flash converter.
It functions similar to the successive
approximation converter; it compares the
input signals to a certain reference voltage or
current. A flash converter however has many
different comparators, which correspond to
the steps of comparison. Thus, an 8-bit
converter has a total of 256, or 2 to the power
of 8 comparators.
Sigma-Delta Converter
• Finally, a sigma-delta converter transforms
analog signal under very low resolution and a
very high sampling rate. By means of digital
filtering and over sampling, the resolution can
be accelerated to as much as 20 bits or more.
Sigma-delta converters are used in high-
resolution conversion of low-distortion and
low-frequency audio signals. They are known
for their high accuracy and good linearity