Interfacing with the Analog World 

Multiple Choice

1 .       A certain digital-to-analog converter has a step size of 0.25V and a full-
scale output of 7.75V. Determine the percent of resolution and the
number of input binary bite. [Hint]
31%, 4 bits
 
3.23%, 4 bits
 
31%, 5 bits
 
3.23, 5 bits
 

2 .       An actuator is usually a device that: [Hint]

converts analog data to meaningful digital data.
 
controls a physical variable.
 
stores digital data and then processes that data according to a
 
set of specified instructions.
converts a physical variable to an electrical variable.
 

3 .       When comparing the conversions from digital-to-analog and analog-to-

digital, the A/D conversion is generally: [Hint]
less complicated but more time consuming than the D/A
 
conversion.
more complicated and more time consuming than the D/A
 
conversion.
less complicated and less time consuming than the D/A
 
conversion.
more complicated but less time consuming than the D/A
 
conversion.

4 .       The quantization error in an analog-to-digital converter can be reduced

by: [Hint]
increasing the number of bits in the counter and DAC.
 
decreasing the number of bits in the counter and increasing the
 
number of bits in the DAC.
increasing the number of bits in the counter and decreasing the
 
number of bits in the DAC.
 decreasing the number of bits in the counter and DAC.
 

5 .       Two principal advantages of the Dual-Slope ADC are its: [Hint]

high speed and low cost.
 
high sensitivity to noise and low cost.
 
low sensitivity to noise and high speed.
 
low sensitivity to noise and low cost.
 

6 .       An analog quantity varies from 0-7V and is input to a 6-bit A/D
converter. What analog value is represented by each step on the digital
output? [Hint]
0.111V
 
1.17V
 
0.109V
 
0.857V
 

7 .       What function is performed by the block labeled X in Figure 11-1?

 [Hint]
analog-to-digital conversion
 
digital-to-analog conversion
 
audio ON/OFF control
 
power supply for the audio amplifier
 

8 .       What is the major advantage of the R/2R ladder DAC as compared to a
binary-weighted-input DAC? [Hint]
 It has fewer parts for the same number of inputs.
 
It is much easier to analyze its operation.
 
It uses only two different resistor values.
 
The virtual ground is eliminated and the circuit is therefore easier
 
to understand and troubleshoot.

9 .       What is the resolution of a D/A converter? [Hint]

It is the reciprocal of the number of discrete steps in the D/A
 
output.
It is the comparison between the actual output of the converter
 
and its expected output.
It is the deviation between the ideal straight-line output and the
 
actual output of the converter.
It is the ability to resolve between forward and reverse steps
 
when sequenced over its entire range of inputs.

10       What is the resolution, in percent, of a 12-bit DAC? [Hint]

. 8.33
 
0.049
 
0.000488
 
0.083
 

11       A 4-bit stairstep-ramp A/D converter has a clock frequency of 100kHz

. and maximum input voltage of 10V. [Hint]
The maximum number of samples per second will be 6250.
 
The maximum sample rate will be 100,000 samples/second.
 
The minimum sample rate will be 6250 samples/second.
 
The minimum sample rate will be 100,000 samples/second.
 

12       What is the main disadvantage of the stairstep-ramp A/D

. converter? [Hint]
The counter must count up from zero at the beginning of each
 
conversion sequence, and the conversion time will vary
depending on the input voltage.
It requires a counter.
 
It requires a precision clock in order for the conversion to be
 
reliable.
 All of the above are correct.
 

13       Which of the following describes the basic operation of a single-slope

. A/D converter. [Hint]
The input voltage is used to set the frequency of a voltage-
 
controlled oscillator (VCO). The VCO quits changing frequency
when the input voltage stabilizes. The frequency of the VCO,
which is proportional to the analog input voltage, is measured and
is displayed on the digital display as a voltage reading.
A ramp generator is used to enable a counter through a
 
comparator. When the ramp voltage equals the input voltage the
counter is latched and then reset. The counter reading is
proportional to the input voltage since the ramp is changing at a
constant V/second rate.
A ramp voltage and analog input voltage are applied to a
 
comparator. As the input voltage causes the integrating capacitor
to charge, it will at some point equal the ramp voltage. The ramp
voltage is measured and displayed on the digital panel meter.
Any of the above could be correct, depending on the specific type
 
of A/D converter involved.

14       One disadvantage of the tracking A/D converter is: [Hint]

. that it requires two counters-one for up and one for down.
 
that the binary output will oscillate between two binary states
 
when the analog input is constant.
the need for an accurate clock reference for the counter.
 
the need for a latch and its associated control circuit.
 

15       The basic approach to testing D/A converters is to: [Hint]

. apply a sequence of binary codes covering the full range of the
 
input to the input while observing the output on an oscilloscope.
The output should consist of a linear stairstep ramp.
single-step the device through its full input range while checking
 
the output with a DMM.
check the output with zero input and then full input. The output of
 
the converter should extend from zero to its maximum value. If
so, then everything in between can be assumed to be operating
properly.
apply the correct input to the analog terminal and then check to
 
see if the proper binary code exists on the digital inputs.

16       Referring to Figure 11-2, what appears to be wrong, if anything, with

. the output of the D/A converter? 

 [Hint]
The input signal is probably noisy.
 
There appears to be some nonlinearity in the scope display.
 
The converter has a nonmonotonic output error.
 
It appears that certain input codes are incorrect; double- check
 
the input coding.

17       Referring to Figure 11-3, what appears to be wrong, if anything, with

. the D/A converter and what should be done to correct the problem? 

 [Hint]
There is nothing wrong with the converter.
 
There is an offset error; if no provision is made for adjusting the
 
 offset, the op amp may need to be changed.
There is a nonlinearity error; the op amp must be changed.
 
The power supply voltage appears to be too high; adjust the
 
power supply to the correct value.

18       A test system using the GPIB is being used to monitor a potentially
. dangerous crash test from a distance of 200 feet. The engineer decides
to have you fabricate a special cable, rather that ordering one, since all
the materials are on hand and the tests are already behind schedule.
When the tests are run, the test system is erratic and the data is almost
useless. What has gone wrong? [Hint]
The engineer is probably not using the correct data format for the
 
specific instruments being used to collect the data.
The GPIB cable is too long; a bus extender should be used.
 
The cable should be shielded and properly grounded.
 
The tests themselves probably produced extraneous signals
 
which confused the instruments, resulting in unusable data.

19       Referring to Figure 11-4, what should the display on the scope look like
. if the A/D converter is working properly? 

 [Hint]
It should be a circular Lissajous pattern resulting from the
 
simultaneous application of ramps to the vertical and horizontal
inputs of the oscilloscope.
The pattern should be a straight line across the screen due to the
 
equal but opposite voltages being applied to the scope inputs.
A uniform stairstep pattern should be displayed.
 
The scope should display a sequential binary count with the LSB
 
being on the left and the MSB on the right side of the display.

20       Which of the statements below best describes the basic operation of a
dual-slope A/D converter? [Hint]
. The input voltage is used to set the frequency of a voltage-
 
controlled oscillator (VCO). The VCO quits changing frequency
when the input voltage stabilizes. The frequency of the VCO,
which is proportional to the analog input voltage, is measured and
is displayed on the digital display as a voltage reading.
A ramp generator is used to enable a counter through a
 
comparator. When the ramp voltage equals the input voltage, the
counter is latched and then reset. The counter reading is
proportional to the input voltage since the ramp is changing at a
constant V/second rate.
A ramp voltage and analog input voltage are applied to a
 
comparator. As the input voltage causes the integrating capacitor
to charge, it will at some point equal the ramp voltage. The ramp
voltage is measured and displayed on the digital panel meter.
Two ramps are generated: one by the input voltage and the other
 
by a reference voltage. The input voltage ramp charges the
integrating capacitor, while the reference voltage discharges the
capacitor and enables the counter until the capacitor is
discharged, at which time the counter value is loaded into the
output latches.

21       What is the linearity of a D/A converter? [Hint]

. It is the reciprocal of the number of discrete steps in the D/A
 
output.
It is the comparison between the actual output of the converter
 
and its expected output.
The ability to resolve between forward and reverse steps when
 
sequenced over its entire range of inputs.
It is the deviation between the ideal straight-line output and the
 
actual output of the converter.

22       What is the accuracy of a D/A converter? [Hint]

. It is the reciprocal of the number of discrete steps in the D/A
 
output.
It is the comparison between the actual output of the converter
 
and its expected output.
The ability to resolve between forward and reverse steps when
 
sequenced over its entire range of inputs.
It is the deviation between the ideal straight-line output and the
 
actual output of the converter.

23       Which of the equations below expresses the voltage gain relationship
. for an operational amplifier? [Hint]
 Vout = Vin/Av
 
Vout/Vin = Rout/Rin
 
Vin/Vout = Rout/Rin
 
Vout/Vin = -Rf/Rin
 

24       Which of the following characterizes an analog quantity? [Hint]

. Discrete levels represent changes in a quantity.
 
Its values follow a logarithmic response curve.
 
Can be described with a finite number of steps.
 
Has a continuous set of values over a given range.
 

25       An analog-to-digital converter has a four-bit output. How many analog

. values can it represent? [Hint]
4
 
1/4
 
16
 
0.0625
 

26       What is the conversion time of a flash converter? [Hint]

. 20  s
 
10  s
 
1  s
 
The conversion takes place continuously.
 

27       What is the speed of the up/down digital-ramp ADC (tracking

. ADC)? [Hint]
20  s
 
10  s
 
1  s
 
Relatively slow
 

28       What is the purpose of a sample-and-hold circuit? [Hint]

. To keep temporary memory
 
To hold a voltage constant so an ADC has time to produce an
 
output
To hold a voltage constant so a DAC has time to produce an
 
output
To hold data after a multiplexer has selected an output
 

29       What is the acquisition time of the AD1154 sample-and-hold IC? [Hint]

. 1.5  s
 
2.5  s
 
3.5  s
 
4.5  s
 

30       What circuitry is on an ADC0808 IC? [Hint]

. A multiplexer
 
An ADC
 
A 3-bit select input code
 
All the above
 

      Interfacing with the Analog World 

Fill In The Blanks

1 .       A(n) ________ converts an analog input to a digital output. [Hint]

ADC
 

DAC
 

flash converter
 
 bipolar converter
 

2 .       ________ DACs produce both positive and negative output values. [Hint]
Tri-state
 

Double
 

Bipolar
 

Unilateral
 

3 .       For each bit that is added to a digital ramp ADC, the conversion time
________. [Hint]

doubles
 

triples
 

decreases by one-third
 

decreases by one-half
 

4 .       ________ ADCs have a fixed value of conversion time that is not
dependent on the value of the analog input. [Hint]

Substandard
 

Dual
 

Recessive-approximation
 

Successive-approximation
 
5 .       ________ ADCs use no clock signal, because there is no timing or
sequencing required. [Hint]

Actuator
 

Dual
 

Flash
 

Bipolar
 

6 .       The stability of the ADC process can be improved by using a ________
to hold the analog voltage constant while the A/D conversion is taking
place. [Hint]

Sample-and-hold circuit
 

Op-amp comparator
 

NPN Amp
 

Current loop
 

7 .       The circuit shown in Figure 11-1 is a ________.

 [Hint]

R/2R ladder D/A converter

 

four-bit decoder
 
 binary-weighted-input DAC
 

four-bit A/D converter

 

8 .       The output of the circuit in Figure 11-1a at point X on Figure 11-1b will be
________. [Hint]

1.011V
 

2.75V
 

-1.011V
 

-2.75V
 

9 .       The circuit shown in Figure 11-2 is a ________.

 [Hint]

R/2R ladder D/A converter

 

four-bit decoder
 

binary-weighted-input DAC
 

four-bit A/D converter

 

10       A simultaneous A/D converter is also known as a/an ________ A/D

. converter. [Hint]

flash
 

synchronous
 

comparator
 

asynchronous
 

11       A 4-bit stairstep-ramp A/D converter has a clock frequency of 100kHz

and maximum input of 10V, has 6V applied to the input. The conversion
.
time will be ________. [Hint]

10-microseconds
 

160-microseconds
 

90-microseconds
 

6250-seconds
 

12       The primary disadvantage of the simultaneous A/D converter is

________. [Hint]
.
that it requires the input voltage to be applied to the inputs
 
simultaneously

the long conversion time required

 

the large number of output lines required to simultaneously

 
decode the input voltage

the large number of comparators required to represent a

 
reasonable-sized binary number
13       Figure 11-3 represents a ________.
.

 [Hint]

successive-approximation A/D converter

 

dual-slope A/D converter

 

tracking A/D converter

 

dual-approximation D/A comparator

 

14       The main advantage of the tracking A/D converter over the stairstep-
ramp A/D converter is that ________. [Hint]
.
it does not require a counter.
 

it uses an up/down counter to indicate the polarity of the input

 
voltage.

it uses an up/down counter to allow it to measure both positive

 
and negative voltages.

it is faster.
 

15       When analog inputs from several sources are to be converted, a

________ technique can be used. [Hint]
.
 demultiplexing
 

multiplexing
 

R/2R
 

comparator
 

16       A major application for DSP is in ________ and ________ of analog

signals. [Hint]
.
sending, receiving
 

digitizing, weighting
 

filtering, conditioning
 

leveling, translating
 

17       The DSO ________, ________, and ________ analog waveforms. [Hint]

. filters, conditions, sends
 

levels, stores, weighs

 

sends, receives, translates

 

digitizes, stores, displays

 

18       The input of an analog-to-digital converter is ________. [Hint]

. a voltage level
 

a clock pulse
 
 a binary number
 

any of these
 

19       On a binary-weighted D/A converter the least significant binary-input

________. [Hint]
.
connects to the smallest resistor
 

supplies the least voltage

 

connects to a 1 K resistor
 

connects to the largest resistor

 

20       A binary-weighter resistor DAC is only practical up to a resolution of

________. [Hint]
.
10 bits
 

2 bits
 

8 bits
 

4 bits
 

21       The number of binary bits at the input of a DAC or output of an ADC is
known as ________. [Hint]
.
accuracy
 

linearity