
AD7840
REV. B
–12–
AD7840–TMS32020 Serial Interface
Figure 22 shows a serial interface between the AD7840 and the
T MS32020 DSP processor. In this interface, the CLK X and
FSX pin of the T MS32020 are generated from the clock/timer
circuitry. T he same clock/timer circuitry generates the
LDAC
signal of the AD7840 to synchronize the update of the output
with the serial transmission. T he FSX pin of the T MS32020
must be configured as an input.
Data from the T MS32020 is valid on the falling edge of CLK X .
Once again, the FORMAT pin of the AD7840 must be tied to
+5 V while the JUST IFY pin must be tied to DGND.
Figure 22. AD7840–TMS32020 Serial Interface
AD7840–NEC7720 Serial Interface
A serial interface between the AD7840 and the NEC7720 is
shown in Figure 23. T he serial clock must be inverted before
being applied to the AD7840 SCLK input because data from
the processor is valid on the rising edge of SCK .
T he NEC7720 is programmed for the LSB to be the first bit in
the serial data stream. T herefore, the AD7840 is set up with the
FORMAT pin tied to DGND and the JUST IFY pin tied to +5 V.
Figure 23. AD7840–NEC7720 Serial Interface
APPLY ING T HE AD7840
Good printed circuit board layout is as important as the overall
circuit design itself in achieving high speed converter perfor-
mance. T he AD7840 works on an LSB size of 366
μ
V. T here-
fore, the designer must be conscious of minimizing noise in both
the converter itself and in the surrounding circuitry. Switching
mode power supplies are not recommended as the switching
spikes can feed through to the on-chip amplifier. Other causes
of concern are ground loops and digital feedthrough from mi-
croprocessors. T hese are factors which influence any high per-
formance converter, and a proper PCB layout which minimizes
these effects is essential for best performance.
LAY OUT HINT S
Ensure that the layout for the printed circuit board has the digi-
tal and analog lines separated as much as possible. T ake care
not to run any digital track alongside an analog signal track. Es-
tablish a single point analog ground (star ground) separate from
the logic system ground. Place this star ground as close as pos-
sible to the AD7840 as shown in Figure 24. Connect all analog
grounds to this star ground and also connect the AD7840
DGND pin to this ground. Do not connect any other digital
grounds to this analog ground point.
Figure 24. Power Supply Grounding Practice
Low impedance analog and digital power supply common re-
turns are essential to low noise operation of high performance
converters. T herefore, the foil width for these tracks should be
kept as wide as possible. T he use of ground planes minimizes
impedance paths and also guards the analog circuitry from digi-
tal noise. T he circuit layouts of Figures 27 and 28 have both
analog and digital ground planes which are kept separated and
only joined at the star ground close to the AD7840.
NOISE
K eep the signal leads on the V
OUT
signal and the signal return
leads to AGND as short as possible to minimize noise coupling.
In applications where this is not possible, use a shielded cable
between the DAC output and its destination. Reduce the
ground circuit impedance as much as possible since any poten-
tial difference in grounds between the DAC and its destination
device appears as an error voltage in series with the DAC output.