Data Conversion Hard Problems Made Easy

Data conversion for data acquisition is a two-part process which involves sampling and then converting signals into digital values. These processes inherently remove part of the complete analog signal in exchange for the power and robustness of digital signal handling. This becomes especially difficult when trying to capture signals at the limits of the resolution and speed of our systems. In this session, learn how to design a data conversion system that minimizes the signal loss to match the signal handling requirements -- even on the hard ones.

Frequency Synthesis and Clock Generation for High-Speed Systems

Frequency synthesis and clock generation have become key elements in all aspects of high-speed data acquisition and RF design. The primary types of frequency synthesizers, phase-locked loops (PLL) and direct digital synthesizers (DDS), will be discussed along with the applications in which each are appropriate. Detailed aspects of synthesizer design will also be covered. Other applications such as clock distribution and translation will be addressed, where we identify some problems associated with poor clocking. Examples of this will be shown along with the results of doing it properly.

High Speed & RF Design Considerations

At very high frequencies, every trace and pin is an RF emitter and receiver. If careful design practices are not followed, the unwanted signals can easily mask those we are trying to handle. The design choices begin at the architecture level and extend down to sub-millimeter placement of traces and components. There are tried and proven techniques for managing this process. The practical issues of real system design will be covered in this session, along with ways to minimize signal degradation in the high speed environment.

Data & Power Isolation

Isolation is an integral part of many modern applications from medical to instrumentation to industrial. Most applications require the designer to integrate isolation in the design while improving performance, saving board space, increasing reliability levels, reducing power consumption and, of course, cutting cost. This session will provide an understanding of various isolator technologies, and will offer suggestions on how to address such stringent design objectives.

High Speed Data Connectivity, More than Hardware

In wireless communications and data acquisition systems, there is more to consider when designing and implementing a complete solution beyond physically connecting a high-speed analog module to an FPGA platform. The right software is critical to establishing a simple interface which is necessary for practical system integration. This session will start with a top-level overview of the hardware description language (HDL) used for these types of boards and then study the specific board components and how they are used to interface to high speed ADCs/DACs. Linux device drivers for the HDL components as well as for the ADI components will be presented. This will include a short introduction into the Industrial I/O (IIO) framework, the benefits it offers, and how it can be used in end designs.

Process Control Systems

The industrial control market involves the monitoring and control aspects of both complex and simple processes. Common trends within the industry, notably the drive for increased efficiencies, better robustness, higher channel densities, and faster monitoring and control speeds, subsequently drive new technology advancements for semiconductor manufacturers. This session aims to give a broad overview into the system requirements for both field instruments (sensors /actuators) and control room (analog input/output) modules, and will demonstrate a typical I/O module configuration with HART connectivity.

Instrumentation – Test and Measurement Methods

Tilt Measurement: Tilt measurement is fast becoming a fundamental analysis tool in many fields including automotive, industrial, and healthcare. Navigation, vehicle dynamic control, building sway indication and motion detection systems all rely on this simple, cheap and precise way of angle monitoring. MEMs accelerometers are ideally suited to inclination measurement than other methodologies. This session will address the challenges encountered when designing a dual axis tilt sensor using a MEMs accelerometer including measurement resolution, signal conditioning, single- versus dual- axis, angle computation, and calibration.

Impedance Measurement: The measurement of complex impedance is widely used across industrial, commercial, automotive, healthcare, and consumer markets, and can include applications such as proximity sensing, inductive transducers, metallurgy and corrosion detection, loudspeaker impedance, biomedical, virus detection, blood coagulation factor, and network impedance analysis. This session will cover the concepts, approaches and challenges of performing complex impedance measurements, and will present a system level solution for impedance conversion.

Weigh Scale Measurement: Most common industrial weigh-scale applications use a bridge-type load-cell sensor, with a voltage output that is directly proportional to the load weight placed on it. This session examines the basic parameters of a bridge-type load-cell sensor, such as the number of varying elements, impedance, excitation, sensitivity (mV/V), errors and drift. It will also discuss the various components of the signal conditioning chain and present solutions with high dynamic range.

Signal Chain Designer: A new way to design online

Finding the right combination of parts to create a signal chain can be a complex and daunting task, due to time demands, unfamiliarity with various technology areas, and the mass amount of unproven solutions scattered across the web. Signal Chain Designer™ is an advanced selection and design environment that enables custom design creation and direct interactive access to more than 200 tested application circuits and verified product combinations. This session will provide an overview of the new environment, and demonstrate how it integrates with the new engineering tool: Analog Filter Wizard. This new tool provides more accurate results as it shows circuit performance with real op amps and component tolerances.