Data Format
remain approximately equal. However, if the DCLK fre-
quency is kept at the maximum rate during a conversion, but
conversion are simply done less often, then the difference
between the two modes is dramatic. Figure 8 shows the
difference between reducing the DCLK frequency (“scal-
ing” DCLK to match the conversion rate) or maintaining
DCLK at the highest frequency and reducing the number of
conversion per second. In the later case, the converter
spends an increasing percentage of its time in power-down
mode (assuming the auto power-down mode is active).
The ADS7841 output data is in straight binary format as
shown in Figure 7. This figure shows the ideal output code
for the given input voltage and does not include the effects
of offset, gain, or noise.
FS = Full-Scale Voltage = VREF
1 LSB = VREF/4096
1 LSB
11...111
If DCLK is active and CS is LOW while the ADS7841 is in
auto power-down mode, the device will continue to dissipate
some power in the digital logic. The power can be reduced
to a minimum by keeping CS HIGH. The differences in
supply current for these two cases are shown in Figure 9.
11...110
11...101
00...010
00...001
00...000
Operating the ADS7841 in auto power-down mode will
result in the lowest power dissipation, and there is no
conversion time “penalty” on power-up. The very first
conversion will be valid. SHDN can be used to force an
immediate power-down.
0V
FS – 1 LSB
Input Voltage(1) (V)
Note 1: Voltage at converter input, after
multiplexer: +IN–(–IN). See Figure 2.
FIGURE 7. Ideal Input Voltages and Output Codes.
1000
f
CLK = 16 • fSAMPLE
8-Bit Conversion
The ADS7841 provides an 8-bit conversion mode that can
be used when faster throughput is needed and the digital
result is not as critical. By switching to the 8-bit mode, a
conversion is complete four clock cycles earlier. This could
be used in conjunction with serial interfaces that provide a
12-bit transfer or two conversions could be accomplished
with three 8-bit transfers. Not only does this shorten each
conversion by four bits (25% faster throughput), but each
conversion can actually occur at a faster clock rate. This is
because the internal settling time of the ADS7841 is not as
critical, settling to better than 8 bits is all that is needed. The
clock rate can be as much as 50% faster. The faster clock
rate and fewer clock cycles combine to provide a 2x increase
in conversion rate.
100
10
1
fCLK = 2MHz
TA = 25°C
+VCC = +2.7V
VREF = +2.5V
PD1 = PD0 = 0
1k
10k
100k
1M
f
SAMPLE (Hz)
FIGURE 8. Supply Current vs Directly Scaling the Fre-
quency of DCLK with Sample Rate or Keeping
DCLK at the Maximum Possible Frequency.
POWER DISSIPATION
There are three power modes for the ADS7841: full power
(PD1 - PD0 = 11B), auto power-down (PD1 - PD0 = 00B),
and shutdown (SHDN LOW). The affects of these modes
varies depending on how the ADS7841 is being operated. For
example, at full conversion rate and 16 clocks per conver-
sion, there is very little difference between full power mode
and auto power-down. Likewise, if the device has entered
auto power-down, a shutdown (SHDN LOW) will not lower
power dissipation.
14
T
A = 25°C
+VCC = +2.7V
VREF = +2.5V
fCLK = 16 • fSAMPLE
PD1 = PD0 = 0
12
10
8
6
CS LOW
(GND)
4
2
When operating at full-speed and 16-clocks per conversion
(as shown in Figure 4), the ADS7841 spends most of its time
acquiring or converting. There is little time for auto power-
down, assuming that this mode is active. Thus, the differ-
ence between full power mode and auto power-down is
negligible. If the conversion rate is decreased by simply
slowing the frequency of the DCLK input, the two modes
CS HIGH (+VCC
)
0
0.09
0.00
1k
10k
100k
1M
f
SAMPLE (Hz)
FIGURE 9. Supply Current vs State of CS.
®
ADS7841
13
BB [ BURR-BROWN CORPORATION ]
