AD1851/AD1861
R
TO TAL H ARMO NIC D ISTO RTIO N
F
T otal harmonic distortion plus noise (T HD+N) is defined as
the ratio of the square root of the sum of the squares of the val-
ues of the first 19 harmonics and noise to the value of the funda-
mental input frequency. It is usually expressed in percent (%).
I
DAC
REFERENCE
OUT
AUDIO
OUTPUT
T HD+N is a measure of the magnitude and distribution of lin-
earity error, differential linearity error, quantization error and
noise. T he distribution of these errors may be different, depend-
ing on the amplitude of the output signal. T herefore, to be most
useful, T HD+N should be specified for both large (0 dB) and
small signal amplitudes (–20 dB and –60 dB).
INPUT LATCH
SERIAL-TO-PARALLEL
CONVERSION
CLOCK
LE
DATA
T he T HD+N figure of an audio DAC represents the amount of
undesirable signal produced during reconstruction and playback
of an audio waveform. T his specification, therefore, provides a
direct method to classify and choose an audio DAC for a
desired level of performance.
Figure 1. AD1851/AD1861 Functional Block Diagram
FUNCTIO NAL D ESCRIP TIO N
T he AD1851/AD1861 is a complete monolithic PCM audio
DAC. No additional external components are required for op-
eration. As shown in Figure 1 above, each chip contains a volt-
age reference, an output amplifier, a DAC, an input latch and a
parallel input register.
SETTLING TIME
Settling time is the time required for the output of the DAC to
reach and remain within a specified error band about its final
value, measured from the digital input transition. It is a primary
measure of dynamic performance.
T he voltage reference consists of a bandgap circuit and buffer
amplifier. T his combination of elements produces a reference
voltage that is unaffected by changes in temperature and age.
T he DAC output voltage, which is derived from the reference
voltage, is also unaffected by these environmental changes.
MID SCALE ERRO R
Midscale error, or bipolar zero error, is the deviation of the ac-
tual analog output from the ideal output (0 V) when the 2s
complement input code representing half scale is loaded in the
input register.
T he output amplifier uses both MOS and bipolar devices to
produce low offset, high slew rate and optimum settling time.
When combined with the on-chip feedback resistor, the output
op amp converts the output current of the AD1851/AD1861 to
a voltage output.
D -RANGE D ISTO RTIO N
D-range distortion is equal to the value of the total harmonic
distortion + noise (T HD+N) plus 60 dB when a signal level of
–60 dB below full scale is reproduced. D-range is tested with a
1 kHz input sine wave. T his is measured with a standard A-
weight filter as specified by EIAJ Standard CP-307.
T he DAC uses a combination of segmented decoder and R-2R
architecture to achieve consistent linearity and differential lin-
earity. T he resistors which form the ladder structure are fabri-
cated with silicon chromium thin film. Laser-trimming of these
resistors further reduces linearity error, resulting in low output
distortion.
SIGNAL-TO -NO ISE RATIO
T he signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is defined as the ratio of the
amplitude of the output when a full-scale output is present to
the amplitude of the output with no signal present. T his is mea-
sured with a standard A-weight filter as specified by EIAJ
Standard CP-307.
T he input register and serial-to-parallel converter are fabricated
with CMOS logic gates. T hese gates allow the achievement of
fast switching speeds and low power consumption. T his contrib-
utes to the overall low power dissipation of the AD1851/
AD1861.
REV. A
–5–