d by employing a higher sampling frequency where it averages out the digital value. But such means can only work to a certain extent and in most cases, getting the design right helps prevent such troubles.
Designing A Precise Analog To Digital Conversion Circuit
While a master chef could turn ordinary ingredients into mouth-watering cuisine, there’s little an analog to digital converter could do if the input signal is degraded to start with. Regardless of the choice of the ADC module, you’ll need to put these best design practices in place.
1. Proper Ground Separation
Not all grounds are created equal, even when they are physically connected on the PCB. There is a reason that digital, analog and chassis ground are being indicated by different symbols. It simply means that you’re not supposed to have them as a single copper plane.
The ground plane functions as a return path for the signals, and it’s always a mistake thinking that they are noise-proof. Electrical noises could couple over to analog signals via ground plane when it’s not designed correctly.
In the PCB, you should ensure that no digital high-speed signals are using the analog ground plane as a return path. To be safe, separate analog ground and other ground planes on the PCB with a single point connection.
No major fault lines need occur in your circuit if you keep proper ground separation
2. Include A Low Pass Filter
Common sense must prevail when you’re designing for analog to digital conversion. Chances are you’re designing a circuit where the reliable system still manages to be in a noisy environment. This is where you’ll want to include a low pass filter in the design, to reduce or eliminate the threat of noise-based disruption on your signals. A low pass filter keeps out high-frequency signals from passing through to the ADC.
3. Scaling Up The Analog Signal
Sometimes, increasing precision in analog signal conversion is a matter of scaling up the input signal. It’s just like using a magnifying glass to scroll through a volume of classic Shakespeare literature. Some sensors produce outputs in the range of milliVolts. If you’re to sample and convert the signal in its original range, you’ll have a limited range of digital values to operate with. Instead, use an operational amplifier to scale up the signal to the maximum range supported by the ADC.
4. Analog Signal Clearance
If you’re in need of quiet space to finish up your favorite dystopian novel and your neighbor is blaring the music away, you’ll end up getting frustrated. The same happens when you place a high-speed signal adjacent to the analog signal. In a phenomenon called electromagnetic interference (EMI), the analog signal will be interfered by noise.
Reduce noise coupling by maintaining PCB trace clearance.
The next time you’re routing an analog signal, ensure that it is protected by a block of an analog ground plane and keep noisy signals away from it. You’ll also want to hold two or more analog signals from each other to maintain signal integrity.
With readily available SPICE models for your ADC or DACs, designers can simulate before going into layout. Depicting conversion accuracy, acquisition times, and utilizing multiple models to compare output waveforms are all functions of your SPICE simulation which will add to the security of your design before wasting time and energy encountering these problems during PCB layout, or worse, production.
Knowing the fundamentals for your circuit design will help you move forward in ways that you previously couldn’t imagine, just like having EDA software that works with you and is capable of the analysis, layout, and simulation you need. Work through the potential for your board with strong mixed-signal simulation considerations with Cadence.
If you’re looking to learn more about how Cadence has the solution for you, talk to us and our team of experts.
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