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

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 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

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 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.

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 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

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 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

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 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).

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 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

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 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

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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

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