AD7780 vs AD7781 - load cell excitation

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Question Having studied the datasheets / user guides would like to clarify a few points:
 
 1) The difference between the AD7781(20bit) and AD 7780(24bit) appears to be 
 that in the AD7781 (20bit) 4 empty bits are appended such that the 
 communication length is equivalent. Does this mean that the 24bit is actually 
 more accurate or does it mean that those least significant bits are in any case 
 going to be "noise"? For the purposes of choosing an evaluation board does that 
 mean that the 24bit EVAL-AD7780 is the no-brainer choice?
 
 2) I want to test directly with a Microcontroller and not connect to a PC at 
 all. What are the requirements for an external power supply? Is it possible to 
 route it through the ADP3303 or is that component selected only when the 
 jumpers are set for the USB power source from the PC ? (Part of the purpose of 
 using the board is to check the value added of that component, so I hope so!)
 
 3) Is 5v excitation for the load cell generally preferable over 3v, further 
 increasing the resolution?
 
 4) Are there any C language code fragments for the microcontroller SPI 
 interaction with the AD7780? Answer 1) the AD7780 outputs 24 bits while the AD7781 outputs 20 bits, as you stated. 
 From the table on the front page of the datasheet, you will see that both parts 
 have similar p-p resolution. The extra LSBs of the 24-bit part are useful if 
 you plan on performing some averaging. Averaging by 16, for example, improves 
 the rms noise by sqrt(16). However, if you do not intend to average, then the 
 20bit part is fine.
 2) The eval board includes the option to connect to an external power supply. 
 So, an external 3V or 5V supply can be connected to the eval board. Place LK5 
 in position A. The ADP3303 is only used to regulate the noisy 5V from the USB 
 to a clean 3.3V.
 3) A 5V excitation voltage is generally preferable as it results in a larger 
 output signal from the loadcell and leads to increased accuracy.
 4) I do not have sample C code for the AD7780. However, attached is some sample 
 c code for the AD7799. This part is similar to the AD7780/81 so the c code 
 should help.

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AD7780: FAQ