Question:
What is the data output coding format used in AD717x family?
Answer:
On the AD717x sigma delta ADCs, two different coding options exist unipolar and bipolar coding. Unipolar coding is used to represent positive voltages only, and bipolar coding can be used to represent both negative and positive differential voltages applied to the analog inputs of the ADC.
For the ADC operating in unipolar mode, the input range to the ADC is from 0V to Full scale, where the full scale value is equal to VREF (reference input voltage). The output coding is straight binary which means that
- a zero differential input voltage applied to the analog inputs results in an output code of 00...00 (0x000000)
- a midscale voltage ((Vref/2) applied to the analog inputs results in an output code of 100...000 (0x800000)
- a full-scale input voltage (Vref) results in an output code of 111...111. (0xFFFFFF)
When the ADC is operated In bipolar mode, the input range is from negative Full Scale to positive Full Scale where Full Scale is VREF/Gain (reference input voltage/selected PGA gain). The output coding for bipolar operation is offset binary with
- a negative full-scale voltage applied to the analog inputs results in an output code of 00...00 (0x000000)
- a zero differential input voltage applied to the analog inputs results in an output of 100...000 (0x800000)
- a positive full-scale input voltage applied to the analog inputs results in an output code of 111...111 (0xFFFFFF)
