THEORY OF OPERATION
The ADS7846 is a classic successive approximation register
(SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The architecture is
based on capacitive redistribution which inherently includes
a sample-and-hold function. The converter is fabricated on a
0.6µm CMOS process.
The basic operation of the ADS7846 is shown in Figure 1.
The device features an internal 2.5V reference and an
external clock. Operation is maintained from a single supply
of 2.7V to 5.25V. The internal reference can be overdriven
with an external, low impedance source between 1V and
+V
CC
. The value of the reference voltage directly sets the
input range of the converter.
The analog input (X-, Y-, and Z-position coordinates, auxil-
iary input, battery voltage, and chip temperature) to the
converter is provided via a multiplexer. A unique configura-
tion of low on-resistance touch panel driver switches allows
an unselected ADC input channel to provide power and its
accompanying pin to provide ground for an external device,
such as a touch screen. By maintaining a differential input to
the converter and a differential reference architecture, it is
possible to negate the error from each touch panel driver
switch’s on-resistance (if this is a source of error for the
particular measurement).
ANALOG INPUT
See Figure 2 for a block diagram of the input multiplexer on
the ADS7846, the differential input of the ADC, and the
differential reference of the converter. Table I and Table II
show the relationship between the A2, A1, A0, and
SER/DFR
control bits and the configuration of the ADS7846. The
control bits are provided serially via the DIN pin—see the
Digital Interface section of this data sheet for more details.
When the converter enters the hold mode, the voltage
difference between the +IN and –IN inputs (see Figure 2) is
captured on the internal capacitor array. The input current
into the analog inputs depends on the conversion rate of the
device. During the sample period, the source must charge
the internal sampling capacitor (typically 25pF). After the
capacitor has been fully charged, there is no further input
current. The rate of charge transfer from the analog source
to the converter is a function of conversion rate.
+2.7V to +5V
1µF
+
to
10µF
(Optional)
ADS7846
0.1µF
1
2
3
Touch
Screen
To Battery
4
5
6
7
Auxiliary Input
Voltage
Regulator
8
+V
CC
X+
Y+
X–
Y–
GND
V
BAT
AUX
DCLK 16
CS 15
DIN 14
BUSY 13
DOUT 12
PENIRQ 11
+V
CC
10
V
REF
9
50kΩ
Serial/Conversion Clock
Chip Select
Serial Data In
Converter Status
Serial Data Out
Pen Interrupt
FIGURE 1. Basic Operation of the ADS7846.
A2
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
A1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
A0
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
V
BAT
AUX
IN
TEMP
+IN (TEMP0)
+IN
+IN
+IN
+IN
+IN
+IN
+IN (TEMP1)
Measure
Measure
Measure
Measure
Y–
X+
Y+
Y-POSITION
X-POSITION
Z
1
-POSITION Z
2
-POSITION
X-DRIVERS
Off
Off
Off
X–, On
X–, On
On
Off
Off
Y-DRIVERS
Off
On
Off
Y+, On
Y+, On
Off
Off
Off
TABLE I. Input Configuration (DIN), Single-Ended Reference Mode (SER/DFR high).
A2
0
0
1
1
A1
0
1
0
0
A0
1
1
0
1
+REF
Y+
Y+
Y+
X+
–REF
Y–
X–
X–
X–
Y–
X+
+IN
+IN
+IN
+IN
Measure
Y+
Y-POSITION
Measure
Measure
Measure
X-POSITION
Z
1
-POSITION
Z
2
-POSITION
DRIVERS ON
Y+,
Y+,
Y+,
X+,
Y–
X–
X–
X–
TABLE II. Input Configuration (DIN), Differential Reference Mode (SER/DFR low).
8
ADS7846
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SBAS125H
BURR-BROWN [ BURR-BROWN CORPORATION ]
