|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| A '''Flash ADC''' (also known as a '''Direct conversion ADC''') is a type of [[analog-to-digital converter]] that uses a linear [[voltage ladder]] with a [[comparator]] at each "rung" of the ladder to compare the input voltage to successive reference voltages. Often these reference ladders are constructed of many [[resistor]]s; however modern implementations show that capacitive voltage division is also possible. The output of these comparators is generally fed into a digital encoder which converts the inputs into a binary value (the collected outputs from the comparators can be thought of as a [[Unary numeral system|unary]] value).
| | Claude is her name and she completely digs that name. To maintain birds is one of [http://extended-car-warranty-Services-review.toptenreviews.com/ extended auto] warranty the things he enjoys most. After becoming out of my job for many years I grew to become a production and distribution officer but I strategy on changing it. I currently reside extended [http://gshappy.marubaram.wo.tc/xe/?document_srl=256061 auto warranty] extended car warranty warranty in [http://www.allstate.com/tools-and-resources/car-insurance/whats-in-a-new-car-warranty.aspx Arizona] but now I'm contemplating other choices.<br><br>Here is my webpage ... [http://www.deathenergy.org/index.php?mod=users&action=view&id=29122 extended car warranty] - [http://boatshomefurnishings.com/Default.aspx?tabid=97&userId=18651 navigate to these guys], |
| | |
| ==Benefits and drawbacks==
| |
| Flash converters are extremely fast compared to many other types of ADCs which usually narrow in on the "correct" answer over a series of stages. Compared to these, a Flash converter is also quite simple and, apart from the analog comparators, only requires [[Digital electronics|logic]] for the final conversion to [[binary numeral system|binary]].
| |
| | |
| For best accuracy often a [[Sample and hold|track-and-hold]] circuit is inserted in front of the ADC input. This is needed for many ADC types (like successive approximation ADC), but for Flash ADCs there is no real need for this, because the comparators are the sampling devices.
| |
| | |
| A Flash converter requires a huge number of [[comparator]]s compared to other ADCs, especially as the precision increases. A Flash converter requires <math>\scriptstyle 2^n-1</math> comparators for an ''n''-bit conversion. The size, power consumption and cost of all those comparators makes Flash converters generally impractical for precisions much greater than 8 bits (255 comparators). In place of these comparators, most other ADCs substitute more complex [[digital circuit|logic]] and/or analog circuitry which can be scaled more easily for increased [[Accuracy and precision|precision]].
| |
| | |
| ==Implementation==
| |
| [[File:Flash_ADC.png|thumb|right|350px|A 2-bit Flash ADC Example Implementation with Bubble Error Correction and Digital Encoding]] | |
| | |
| Flash ADCs have been implemented in many technologies, varying from silicon based [[Bipolar junction transistor|bipolar]] (BJT) and complementary metal oxide [[field effect transistor|FETs]] (CMOS) technologies to rarely used [[List of semiconductor materials|III-V]] technologies. Often this type of ADC is used as a first medium sized analog circuit verification.
| |
| | |
| The earliest implementations consisted of a reference ladder of well matched resistors connected to a reference voltage. Each tap at the resistor ladder is used for one comparator, possibly preceded by an amplification stage, and thus generates a logical '0' or '1' depending if the measured voltage is above or below the reference voltage of the resistor tap. The reason to add an amplifier is twofold: it amplifies the voltage difference and therefore suppresses the comparator offset, and the kick-back noise of the comparator towards the reference ladder is also strongly suppressed. Typically designs from 4-bit up to 6-bit, and sometimes 7-bit are produced.
| |
| | |
| Designs with power-saving capacitive reference ladders have been demonstrated. In addition to clocking the comparator(s), these systems also sample the reference value on the input stage. As the sampling is done at a very high rate, the leakage of the capacitors is negligible.
| |
| | |
| Recently, offset calibration has been introduced into flash ADC designs. Instead of high precision analog circuits (which increase component size to suppress variation) comparators with relatively large offset errors are measured and adjusted. A test signal is applied and the offset of each comparator is calibrated to below the LSB size of the ADC.
| |
| | |
| Another improvement to many flash ADCs is the inclusion of digital error correction. When the ADC is used in harsh environments or constructed from very small integrated circuit processes, there is a heightened risk a single comparator will randomly change state resulting in a wrong code. Bubble error correction is a digital correction mechanism that will prevent a comparator that has, for example, tripped high from reporting logic high if it is surrounded by comparators that are reporting logic low.
| |
| | |
| ==Folding ADC==
| |
| The number of comparators can be reduced somewhat by adding a folding circuit in front, making a so called ''folding ADC''. Instead of using the comparators in a Flash ADC only once, during a ramp input signal, the folding ADC re-uses the comparators multiple times. If a ''m''-times folding circuit is used in an n-bit ADC, the actual number of comparator can be reduced from <math>\scriptstyle 2^n-1</math> to <math>\scriptstyle \frac{2^n}{m}</math> (there is always one needed to detect the range crossover). Typical folding circuits are, e.g., the [[Gilbert Cell|Gilbert multiplier]], or analog [[OR_gate#Wired-OR|wired-or]] circuits.
| |
| | |
| ==Application==
| |
| The very high sample rate of this type of ADC enable gigahertz applications like [[radar]] detection, wide band radio receivers and optical communication links. More often the flash ADC is embedded in a large IC containing many digital decoding functions.
| |
| | |
| Also a small flash ADC circuit may be present inside a [[delta-sigma modulation]] loop.
| |
| | |
| Flash ADCs are also used in NAND Flash Memory, where up to 3 bits are stored per cell as 8 level voltages on floating gates.
| |
| | |
| ==References==
| |
| *[http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electronic/adc.html#c4 Analog to Digital Conversion]
| |
| *[http://www.maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/appnote_number/810/CMP/WP-17 Understanding Flash ADCs]
| |
| *"Integrated Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog Converters ", R. van de Plassche, ADCs, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1994.
| |
| *"A Precise Four-Quadrant Multiplier with Subnanosecond Response", Barrie Gilbert, IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 3, No. 4 (1968), pp. 365-373
| |
| | |
| [[Category:Electronic circuits]]
| |
| [[Category:Analog circuits]]
| |
| | |
| [[de:Analog-Digital-Umsetzer#Flash-Umsetzer (Paralleles Verfahren)]]
| |
Claude is her name and she completely digs that name. To maintain birds is one of extended auto warranty the things he enjoys most. After becoming out of my job for many years I grew to become a production and distribution officer but I strategy on changing it. I currently reside extended auto warranty extended car warranty warranty in Arizona but now I'm contemplating other choices.
Here is my webpage ... extended car warranty - navigate to these guys,