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.
Abstract: A laser module designer can use a fixed resistor, mechanical pot, digital pot, or a digital-to-analogconverter (DAC) to control the laser driver's modulation and bias currents. The advantages of a programmablemethod (POT or DAC) are that the manufacturing process can be automated and digital control can be applied(e.g., to compensate for temperature). Using POTs can be a more simple approach than a DAC. There can be aslight cost advantage to using a POT, but this is usually not significant relative to other pieces of the design.Using a DAC can offer advantages, including improved linearity (translating to ease of software implementationand ability to hit the required accuracy), increased board density, a wider range of resolutions, a betteroptimization range, ease of use with a negative voltage laser driver, and unit-to-unit consistency
Abstract: This article discusses application circuits for Maxim force/sense digital-to-analog converters (DACs). Applications include:selectable fixed-gain DAC, programmable gain DAC, photodiode bias control, amperometric sensor control, digitally programmablecurrent source, Kelvin load sensing, temperature sensing, and high current DAC output. A brief description of the various DAC outputconfigurations is also given.
Abstract: Using a DAC and a microprocessor supervisor, the system safety can be improved in industrial controllers, programmablelogiccontrollers (PLC), and data-acquisition systems. The analog output is set to zero-scale (or pin-programmable midscale) when amicroprocessor failure, optocoupler failure, or undervoltage condition occurs. A simple application is shown on how to implement thisfunction.
The LT®6552 is a specialized dual-differencing 75MHzoperational amplifier ideal for rejecting common modenoise as a video line receiver. The input pairs are designedto operate with equal but opposite large-signal differencesand provide exceptional high frequency commonmode rejection (CMRR of 65dB at 10MHz), therebyforming an extremely versatile gain block structure thatminimizes component count in most situations. The dualinput pairs are free to take on independent common modelevels, while the two voltage differentials are summedinternally to form a net input signal.
Precision 16-bit analog outputs with softwareconfigurableoutput ranges are often needed in industrialprocess control equipment, analytical and scientificinstruments and automatic test equipment. In the past,designing a universal output module was a daunting taskand the cost and PCB real estate associated with thisfunction were problematic, if not prohibitive.
Who has never experienced oscillations issues when using an operational amplifier? Opampsare often used in a simple voltage follower configuration. However, this is not the bestconfiguration in terms of capacitive loading and potential risk of oscillations.Capacitive loads have a big impact on the stability of operational amplifier-basedapplications. Several compensation methods exist to stabilize a standard op-amp. Thisapplication note describes the most common ones, which can be used in most cases.The general theory of each compensation method is explained, and based on this, specific
Photodiodes can be broken into two categories: largearea photodiodes with their attendant high capacitance(30pF to 3000pF) and smaller area photodiodes withrelatively low capacitance (10pF or less). For optimalsignal-to-noise performance, a transimpedance amplifi erconsisting of an inverting op amp and a feedback resistoris most commonly used to convert the photodiode currentinto voltage. In low noise amplifi er design, large areaphotodiode amplifi ers require more attention to reducingop amp input voltage noise, while small area photodiodeamplifi ers require more attention to reducing op amp inputcurrent noise and parasitic capacitances.
Digital-to-analog converters (DACs) are prevalent inindustrial control and automated test applications.General-purpose automated test equipment often requiresmany channels of precisely controlled voltagesthat span several voltage ranges. The LTC2704 is ahighly integrated 16-bit, 4-channel DAC for high-endapplications. It has a wide range of features designed toincrease performance and simplify design.
A fully differential amplifi er is often used to converta single-ended signal to a differential signal, a designwhich requires three signifi cant considerations: theimpedance of the single-ended source must match thesingle-ended impedance of the differential amplifi er,the amplifi er’s inputs must remain within the commonmode voltage limits and the input signal must be levelshifted to a signal that is centered at the desired outputcommon mode voltage.
