Digital to Analog Converter

[kutsi]

Hi all,

I'm working on a project,and using 18f4550. I'm designing a circuit board and planning to control a dc-motor. I would try pwm, instead my instructor wanted me to use DAC. Can you beriefly explain me, how should I choose DAC? For example I know AD converter ın PIC is 10 bits. Is it appropriate to use a 12 bit DAC? Thanks alot.

[Acetronics2]

Hi, Kutsi

You've two ways for the DAC ...

if using 8 bits output ( for a motor it's far enough !!! ) ... then use a full port with a 1% resistors R/2R ladder to generate the voltage output ... ( a little AOP buffer will make it perfect ... )
no need a MAX 512 or else here ...

if using more bits, a LTC 1257 or 1451 from Linear will work fine, you're not to use all your DAC resolution ... and can send two "0"s as LSBs past the ADC 10 bits you've read !!!

Alain

PS: PWM freq. to use depends upon the motor technology, but there's always some switching noise you can hear in the windings ... but low speed torque obtained is better ( easier to see smoke if overloaded too !!! )

DC won't produce any noise ... but will give poor starting torque, if there's no rpm regulation implemented. a current protection is easier to add in this way ...

[ErnieM]

To start, let’s assume your A/D (10 bits) is going to read some parameter, you make a calculation based on that info, spit that number to the D/A which sets how fast the motor runs.

At first glance, you’ll need a 10 bit max D/A to run the motor because that is all the accuracy you have, the 10 bits given by your A/D. However, if your motor doesn’t run linearly (such as it needs a few volts before it even starts to turn) you may be wasting D/A range to get past the dead zone. How accurately you need control the motor is gonna decide how many bits you need (so you'll have to give us more info for an informed choice). 8 bits as a starting point for experimentation isn't a bad choice.

I’m not one to reinvent wheels; you can buy a very well designed D/A for little more then some precision resistors will cost you to build the R/2R ladder, and it will perform better to boot. I’ve used a few of Maxim’s D/A chips with an I2C serial interface (basically serial data and clock). PBP had commands to run these off 2 PIC pins.

Maxim can be a problem to get parts if the major distributors don’t have it, they tend to long lead times with high min orders. I’m sure people here will offer you way too many alternatives if you ask. ;-)

[mister_e]

Maxim are a pain in the LA LA LA LA LA sometimes... they're also trigger happy to obsolete their parts.. at least those much specifics...

But i agree, 10 bits in, 10bit (or lower) out.

[kutsi]

Thanks for the tips. I will try them,and turn back with many other questions, I guess.

[Acetronics2]

Hi, Ernie

I do not know where you buy your resistors ...

but my 1% 100 ppm ones from RAMTRONICS cost me ... 1.8 cent/ unit !!!

" Hobbyist " price ... of course.

Alain