LTC1090
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APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
voltage. The offset (which is typically a fixed voltage)
becomes a larger fraction of an LSB as the size of the LSB
is reduced. The typical curve of Unadjusted Offset Error vs
Reference Voltage shows how offset in LSBs is related to
reference voltage for a typical value of VOS. For example,
a VOS of 0.5mV which is 0.1LSB with a 5V reference
becomes 0.5LSB with a 1V reference and 2.5LSBs with a
0.2V reference. If this offset is unacceptable, it can be
corrected digitally by the receiving system or by offsetting
the “–” input to the LTC1090.
HORIZONTAL: 1µs/DIV
Figure 16. Poor Reference Settling Can Cause A/D Errors
6. Reduced Reference Operation
Noise with Reduced VREF
The effective resolution of the LTC1090 can be increased
by reducing the input span of the converter. The LTC1090
exhibits good linearity and gain over a wide range of
reference voltages (see typical curves of Linearity and
Gain Error vs Reference Voltage). However, care must be
taken when operating at low values of VREF because of the
reduced LSB step size and the resulting higher accuracy
requirementplacedontheconverter.Thefollowingfactors
must be considered when operating at low VREF values:
The total input referred noise of the LTC1090 can be
reduced to approximately 200µV peak-to-peak using a
ground plane, good bypassing, good layout techniques
and minimizing noise on the reference inputs. This noise
isinsignificantwitha5Vreferencebutwillbecomealarger
fraction of an LSB as the size of the LSB is reduced. The
typical curve of Noise Error vs Reference Voltage shows
the LSB contribution of this 200µV of noise.
1. Conversion speed (ACLK frequency)
For operation with a 5V reference, the 200µV noise is only
0.04LSB peak-to-peak. In this case, the LTC1090 noise
will contribute virtually no uncertainty to the output code.
However, for reduced references, the noise may become
asignificantfractionofanLSBandcauseundesirablejitter
in the output code. For example, with a 1V reference, this
same 200µV noise is 0.2LSB peak-to-peak. This will
reduce the range of input voltages over which a stable
output code can be achieved by 0.2LSB. If the reference is
further reduced to 200mV, the 200µV noise becomes
equal to one LSB and a stable code may be difficult to
achieve.Inthiscaseaveragingreadingsmaybenecessary.
2. Offset
3. Noise
Conversion Speed with Reduced VREF
With reduced reference voltages, the LSB step size is
reducedandtheLTC1090internalcomparatoroverdriveis
reduced. With less overdrive, more time is required to
perform a conversion. Therefore, the maximum ACLK
frequency should be reduced when low values of VREF are
used. This is shown in the typical curve of Maximum
Conversion Clock Rate vs Reference Voltage.
This noise data was taken in a very clean setup. Any setup
induced noise (noise or ripple on VCC, VREF, VIN or V–) will
add to the internal noise. The lower the reference voltage
to be used, the more critical it becomes to have a clean,
noise-free setup.
Offset with Reduced VREF
The offset of the LTC1090 has a larger effect on the output
code when the A/D is operated with reduced reference
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