How can I get a PIC to switch 2.5V DC to my Opamp pin?

[HankMcSpank]

Hi Adam,

That's worth a try (& pretty much the same as what Melanie advised in that post I linked to - but I couldn't see how I could use her suggestion in this instance)....I should get a go at it over the weekend - I'll report back.

thanks once again.

[HankMcSpank]

Well, I tried it - the good news is that when the 2.5V is switched in I get a nice clean inverted signal (vs the input) as seen at the output.

However, when I switch those pins off to remove the 2.5V (ie turn the corresponding pins into high impedance - by changing them to input pins), I get a terribly distorted waveform as seen at the output of the opamp.

I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and make space for some bilateral switches in my circuit :-(

Thanks anyway.

[mtripoli]

I'll throw this out there; you'll have to try it yourself to verify it. If you have a split rail power supply of +/-2.5V then connect Vss of the PIC to -2.5V and Vdd to +2.5V. Anything that is connected to "GROUND" in the PIC circuit should connect to -2.5V. Basically, a device is only concerned with "potential" difference from Vss to Vdd. So now, "ground" is -2.5V, Vdd/2 is 0V and "logic high" is +2.5V. You'll be able to use standard code with one pin and no resistor biasing or anything.

IF it is a +5V device you can use a split supply like this (of course you need to pay attention to absolute max ratings, you can't use +/-3V, this adds up to 6V).

There are all sorts of caveats you need to keep in mind when doing things like this; if there is DC connection to ANYTHING on the outside world then "ground" is (most likely) going to be 0V (zero volts). This will mess things up. All parts of your circuit that are "digital" will have to be arranged the same way. AC coupling (say the input to the opamp) should be will be ok, just so long as you remember that the input signal is "referenced" to 0V.

Also (I said there would be caveats) you'll have to take into consideration a scheme for doing ICSP. Without seeing the circuit I couldn't guess what else...

Unfortunately I've been in situation that I've had to play all sorts of games with odd "ground" schemes in the past. I did a project years ago for a huge (gigantic) appliance manufacturer where they used a "positive ground" scheme so that the circuit used two less transistors (please, no lectures on designing for large scale production; I design consumer electronics and know the ramifications of each component in a circuit). However, if it means that a repair person makes the "assumption" that the circuit is "grounded" (meaning "0V referenced") and connects a "grounded" mains supplied tester to the circuit and sparks fly, I'll go for the extra two resistors.

Anyone remember "floating" TV chassis...?