Successive –Approximation Analogue to Digital Converter

The most commonly used A/D for converting analogue values to corresponding
binary values is the Successive-Approximation A/D converter. It has a fixed conversion
time and is faster than the Dual-Slope A/D converter. The Successive-Approximation
converter is however slower than the Flash converter. The main components of a
Successive-Approximation A/D Converter are the Successive Approximation Register
(SAR), a Digital to Analogue Converter and a Comparator. Figure 45.1.

Vout

Digital-to-Analogue
Converter

D0

Parallel
Binary
Output
D3

Input
Signal
D
Comparator
SAR Serial
CLK Binary
Output

Figure 45.1 Successive-Approximation 4-bit A/D Converter

The analogue signal sample which is to be converted into its corresponding binary
value is applied at the non-inverted input of the Comparator. Initially, the most-
significant bit D3 is set to logic 1 by the Successive Approximation Register (SAR). The
Digital-to-Analogue converter converts the binary input digit 1000 to it equivalent
analogue value. The output analogue value is connected to the inverted input of the
comparator. If the applied Input signal is larger than the signal generated by the D/A
converter the output of the comparator is logic 1 which sets the most significant bit D3 of
the SAR to logic 1. The next most significant bit is set to 1 and the new binary number
1100 is applied at the input of the D/A converter. The analogue output is applied at the
comparator input which generates logic 1 or 0 depending upon the magnitude of the two
signals applied at the inputs of the comparator. Depending upon logic 0 or 1 produced at
the output of the comparator, the SAR sets or resets the next most significant digit. This
procedure is repeated for all the binary digits.

Digital Logic Design: Digital-to-Analogue Converters Page 1 of 9

 Assuming an analogue signal of 5.2 volts applied at the input of the 4-bit A/D
converter. Initially, the SAR sets its 4 bits to 1000, which is converted to 8 volts by the
D/A converter. Since the applied signal (5.2 V) is less than 8 V signal, therefore the SAR
resets the most significant bit and sets the next most significant bit 0100. The D/A
converts the 4 bit number to 4 volts which is less than the input signal (5.2 V). The SAR
retains the original bit and sets the next most significant bit. (0110). The 4-bit number is
converted into an analogue value of 6 volts by the D/A converter. Since the analogue
value is greater than the input signal therefore the SAR resets the bit and sets the least
significant bit to 1 (0101). The number is converted into an analogue value by the D/A
converter. The converted value (5 V) is less than the input signal, therefore the four bits
are retained (0101). Since the Successive-Approximation A/D converter is a 4-bit
converter therefore the 0101 represents the final value at the end of the conversion
process. Table 45.1. The duration of the conversion depend upon the quantization level, a
6-bit converter completes its conversion in 6 time periods.

Vin SAR D/A Comparator

output output output
5.2 1000 8 0
5.2 0100 4 1
5.2 0110 6 0
5.2 0101 5 1

Table 45.1 Successive-Approximation D/A Conversion

Analogue-to-Digital Converter Errors

Analogue to Digital converters exhibit three different types of errors during their
conversion operation. The three errors encountered during the conversion operation are
the Missing Code, Incorrect Code and the Offset error. The three errors are represented
through graphs. Figure 45.2. A test signal which is an ideal linear ramp is assumed for
testing for the three errors.

1. Missing Code
In the graph illustrated to highlight the missing code ‘1001’ a linearly increasing
analogue voltage is applied at the input of an A/D converter and the binary output is
plotted. Ideally, a staircase output should be obtained showing the linearly increasing
binary values. Figure 45.2a. The graph shows a missing binary code 1001, represented
instead by 1000. The missing code in the case of a Flash converter is due to the failure of
a comparator which fails to provide an appropriate input to the Priority Encoder. The
Priority Encoder therefore outputs the same code for analogue values 8 and 9.

2. Incorrect Code
Incorrect Code at the output of the A/D converter is due to a particular bit stuck at
some fixed logic value. In the graph illustrating an example of Incorrect Code, the bit
next to the least significant is permanently stuck at logic 0. Therefore, for analogue

Digital Logic Design: Digital-to-Analogue Converters Page 2 of 9

values 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14 and 15 the binary output is 0, 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12 and 13
respectively. Figure 45.2b.

0101
0000
0001
0010
0011
0100

0110
0111

1111
1000
1000
1010
1011
1100
1101
1110
Figure 45.2a Missing Code ‘1001’

15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

Figure 45.2b Incorrect Code

Digital Logic Design: Digital-to-Analogue Converters Page 3 of 9

3. Offset Error
The offset error occurs when the binary output of the A/D converter represents a
value which is greater than the actual analogue input signal value. The error is due to a
fault in the comparator circuit. The offset error can be compensated by adjusting the
output with respect to the amount of offset error. The missing and incorrect code however
can not be compensated. Figure 45.2c. The diagram illustrates an offset error of 2 volts,
as the corresponding output value for each analogue input exceeds by 2 volts.

15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

Figure 45.2c Offset Error

Digital to Analogue Conversion

Digital binary signals are converted into analogue signals using Digital to
Analogue Converters. Generally two types of D/A Converters are used, the Binary-
Weighted-Input D/A Converter and R/2R Ladder D/A Converter.

Binary-Weighted-Input Digital to Analogue Converter

The Binary-Weighted-Input D/A converter is based on a summer circuit which
sums the input currents based on the binary input and represents it as a voltage output. In
the Binary-Weighted-Input Method a resistor network is used with resistor values
representing the binary weights of the input bits of the digital code. The binary (digital
input) is applied at the resistor inputs. A current will flow through the resistor if the input
voltage applied is logic high. No current flows through a resistor if the input voltage
applied is logic low. The magnitude of the current flowing through each resistor depends
upon the value of the resistor. The total current flowing through each resistor adds up and
flows through the feedback resistor Rf which is connected between the output and the

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inverting input of the Op-Amp. The output voltage of the Op-Amp is determined by the
voltage drop across the Rf resistance. Figure 45.3.

For a D/A converter with weighted resistors 8K, 4K, 2K and 1K respectively and
the feedback resistor of 2K ohms. The output voltages for binary inputs 0000 to 1111 are
shown. Table 45.2.
Rf

8R
V
bit 0

4R
V
bit 1
Vout

2R
V
bit 2

R
V
bit 3

Figure 45.3 A 4-bit Binary-Weighted-Input D/A Converter

Input Current through (mA) Vout

R 2R 4R 8R Rf (volts)
0000 0 0 0 0 0 0
0001 0 0 0 0.625 0.625 -1
0010 0 0 1.25 0 1.25 -2
0011 0 0 1.25 0.625 1.875 -3
0100 0 2.5 0 0 2.5 -4
0101 0 2.5 0 0.625 3.125 -5
0110 0 2.5 1.25 0 3.75 -6
0111 0 2.5 1.25 0.625 4.375 -7
1000 5 0 0 0 5.0 -8
1001 5 0 0 0.625 5.625 -9
1010 5 0 1.25 0 6.25 -10
1011 5 0 1.25 0.625 6.875 -11
1100 5 2.5 0 0 7.5 -12
1101 5 2.5 0 0.625 8.125 -13
1110 5 2.5 1.25 0 8.75 -14
1111 5 2.5 1.25 0.625 9.375 -15

Table 45.2 D/A Output voltages for binary inputs 0000 to 1111

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 The disadvantage of the converter is the resistors having weighted values that are
required to implement the converter. An 8-bit converter requires eight weighted resistors
which have exact values otherwise the output of the converter is not accurate. Resistors
which have values which are exact multiples of each other are difficult to implement
therefore these D/A converter are not used for applications where multiple bit binary
numbers are to be converted into corresponding analogue values.

The R/2R Ladder Digital to Analogue Converter

The R/2R D/A Converter derives its name from the resistor network having
values R and 2R. This converter also overcomes the problem of having multiple resistors
having weighted values. The circuit diagram of the R/2R converter is shown. Figure 45.4.

Figure 43.2 R/2R Ladder D/A Converter

Depending upon the binary input, the R/2R resistor network simplifies to an
equivalent network which determines the total current flowing through the feedback
resistance Rf. For example, when 0001 binary is applied the R/2R circuit simplifies to the
circuit shown. Figure 45.5a. Simplifying the circuit further reduces it to the Thevenin’s
equivalent circuit. Figure 43.5b. The current flowing through the feedback resistance Rf
0.625V
is defined by the equation I =
2R

The output voltage Vout is represented by the voltage drop across Rf. Table 45.3
gives a summary of the total current and the output voltage for each of the 16
combinations of 4-bit binary input.

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 Figure 45.5a The R/2R resistor network with binary 0001

Rf

2R
RTh R8
+0.625V

R R
Vout
2R R7

Figure 45.3b The equivalent R/2R resistor network with binary 0001

Input Vth (volts) Current through Rf Vout

0000 0 0 0
0001 0.625V 0.625V/2R -0.625V
0010 1.25V 1.25V/2R -1.25V
0011 1.875V 1.875V/2R -1.875V
0100 2.5V 2.5V/2R -2.5V
0101 3.125V 3.125V/2R -3.125V
0110 3.75V 3.75V/2R -3.75V
0111 4.325V 4.325V/2R -4.325V
1000 5V 5V/2R -5V
1001 5.625V 5.625V/2R -5.625V
1010 6.25V 6.25V/2R -6.25V
1011 6.875V 6.875V/2R -6.875V
1100 7.5V 7.5V/2R -7.5V
1101 8.125V 8.125V/2R -8.125V
1110 8.75V 8.75V/2R -8.75V
1111 9.325V 9.325V/2R -9.325V

Table 45.3 D/A Output voltages for binary inputs 0000 to 1111

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Performance characteristics of Digital-to-Analogue Converters
Performance characteristics of D/A converters are determined by five parameters.

1. Resolution
Resolution is defined as the number of bits that are converted. It is also defined as
a reciprocal of the number of discrete steps in the output represented as percentage. The
resolution of a 4-bit D/A converter is therefore represented as (1/15) 100 = 6.67%. An 8-
bit D/A converter has a resolution of (1/63) 100 = 1.59%.

2. Accuracy
Accuracy of a D/A converter is determined by comparing the actual output of a
D/A converter with the expected output. It is expressed as a percentage of the full-scale
or maximum output voltage. If for example, the accuracy is ±0.1 %, for a D/A converter
which has a maximum output of 20 volts, the maximum error for any output voltage is
(20)(0.001) = 20 mV. Ideally, the accuracy should not be worse than ±1/2 of the least
significant bit. For an 8-bit D/A converter, the least significant bit is 0.39% of the full-
scale. The accuracy should be one-half of 0.39%, that is ±0.195%. In terms of voltage,
consider that the full-scale output of the 8-bit D/A converter is 64 volts. The maximum
error that is allowed is (64)(0.00195) = 0.1248 volts = 125 mV. Each discrete step of the
D/A converter is equal to 0.25 volts = 250 mV. Assuming that 00000001 is applied at the
input of the D/A converter, the exact analogue output should be 250 mV. If there is an
error in the output voltage then the acceptable range of voltages representing 00000001
are from 125 mV to 375 mV. A voltage output which is less than 125 mV represents the
binary value 00000000 and a voltage output which exceeds 375 mV represents the binary
value 00000010. Thus the error should be within ±1/2% of the least significant bit.

3. Linearity
The output of the D/A converter should be a straight line when the binary input is
varied between its minimum and maximum values. An offset error is determined by the
output voltage when the binary input bits are all set to logic 0.

4. Monotonicity
The output of the D/A converter should give an increasing analogue voltage
output when the binary input is varied between its minimum and maximum values.
However, if the D/A converter outputs a lower voltage than its preceding output voltage
the converter is said to exhibit non-monotonic behavior.

5. Settling Time
Ideally, the D/A converter should immediately result in an analogue output
corresponding to the input binary value. A D/A converter however takes a finite amount
of time to output an analogue value corresponding to the binary input. The settling time
of a D/A converter is defined as the time the D/A converter takes to settle within ±1/2
least significant bit of its final value when a change occurs in the input. Assume that the
input to an 8-bit D/A converter is 00000101 which is represented by 1.250 Volts. The
binary input changes to 00000001 which is represented by 250 mV. The output of the

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D/A converter changes form 1.250 volts to 375 mV (±1/2 least significant bit of the final
value 250 mV) in 20 msec. Thus the settling time of the D/A converter is 20 msec.

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