Abstract: A perfect voltage reference produces a stable voltage independent of any external factors. Real-world voltagereferences, of course, are subject to errors caused by many external factors. One causeof these major errors istemperature. Without care, it is easy to operate a voltage reference outside its operating temperature range. Thisapplication note describes how references respond to temperature changes, and how self-heating can cause a voltagereference to operate outside its recommended temperature range. Once understood, this knowledge can then be used toavoid making this design error.
Designers of signal receiver systems often need to performcascaded chain analysis of system performancefrom the antenna all the way to the ADC. Noise is a criticalparameter in the chain analysis because it limits theoverall sensitivity of the receiver. An application’s noiserequirement has a signifi cant infl uence on the systemtopology, since the choice of topology strives to optimizethe overall signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range andseveral other parameters. One problem in noise calculationsis translating between the various units used by thecomponents in the chain: namely the RF, IF/baseband,and digital (ADC) sections of the circuit.
Differential Nonlinearity: Ideally, any two adjacent digitalcodes correspond to output analog voltages that are exactlyone LSB apart. Differential non-linearity is a measure of theworst case deviation from the ideal 1 LSB step. For example,a DAC with a 1.5 LSB output change for a 1 LSB digital codechange exhibits 1⁄2 LSB differential non-linearity. Differentialnon-linearity may be expressed in fractional bits or as a percentageof full scale. A differential non-linearity greater than1 LSB will lead to a non-monotonic transfer function in aDAC.Gain Error (Full Scale Error): The difference between theoutput voltage (or current) with full scale input code and theideal voltage (or current) that should exist with a full scale inputcode.Gain Temperature Coefficient (Full Scale TemperatureCoefficient): Change in gain error divided by change in temperature.Usually expressed in parts per million per degreeCelsius (ppm/°C).Integral Nonlinearity (Linearity Error): Worst case deviationfrom the line between the endpoints (zero and full scale).Can be expressed as a percentage of full scale or in fractionof an LSB.LSB (Lease-Significant Bit): In a binary coded system thisis the bit that carries the smallest value or weight. Its value isthe full scale voltage (or current) divided by 2n, where n is theresolution of the converter.Monotonicity: A monotonic function has a slope whose signdoes not change. A monotonic DAC has an output thatchanges in the same direction (or remains constant) for eachincrease in the input code. the converse is true for decreasing codes.
This reference design (RD) features a fullyassembled and tested surface-mount printed circuitboard (PCB). The RD board utilizes the MAX48851:2 or 2:1 multiplexer and other ICs to implement acomplete video graphics array (VGA) 8:1multiplexer.VGA input/output connections are provided to easilyinterface the MAX4885 RD board with VGAcompatibledevices. The RD board gives the optionto use a single 5V DC power supply (V+), or this RDboard can be powered from any one of the eight VGA sources.
Abstract: The "vampire" drain on electricity by household gadgets is only one indicator of the lack of policies to conserve energy and protect people and businesses from a major energy disaster. Most
Many system designers need an easy way to producea negative 3.3V power supply. In systems that alreadyhave a transformer, one option is to swap out the existingtransformer with one that has an additional secondarywinding. The problem with this solution is that manysystems now use transformers that are standard, offthe-shelf components, and most designers want toavoid replacing a standard, qualifi ed transformer with acustom version. An easier alternative is to produce thelow negative voltage rail by stepping down an existingnegative rail. For example, if the system already employsan off-the-shelf transformer with two secondary windingsto produce ±12V, and a –3.3V rail is needed, a negativebuck converter can produce the –3.3V output from the–12V rail.
