Digital Signal Conditioning Lab For The Comparator Below

Digital Signal Conditioning Labfor The Comparator Below Complete The

Digital Signal Conditioning Labfor The Comparator Below Complete The

For the comparator circuit described, the task involves designing a threshold-based signal conditioning system with a specified threshold voltage of 1.25V. The requirement is that when the input voltage falls below 1.25V, the output should be HIGH, and when it exceeds 1.25V, the output should be LOW. The design process includes selecting appropriate resistor values, validating the circuit in Multisim with a sine wave input, and analyzing the digital-to-analog conversion related to an 8-bit DAC with a 12V reference.

The first step in this project is to understand the basic operation of the comparator circuit. A comparator compares an input voltage to a reference voltage and switches its output accordingly. In this case, the reference voltage is fixed at 1.25V. To implement this, a voltage divider is typically employed to generate the reference voltage from a known supply voltage. Resistor values in the voltage divider are chosen such that the resulting output voltage matches the desired threshold when input voltages are at the switching point.

Once resistor values are calculated, the circuit configuration in Multisim can be constructed. The input signal, a 3Vpp sine wave, is applied to simulate real-world fluctuating signals. The comparator’s output response is then observed and recorded. According to the logic, when the input voltage dips below 1.25V, the output transistor or operational amplifier's output should go HIGH, indicating a logical '1'. Conversely, when input exceeds 1.25V, the output should go LOW, indicating a logical '0'.

Further, the system incorporates an 8-bit DAC with a 12V reference voltage to convert digital signals into analog voltages. The resolution of this DAC is calculated by dividing the reference voltage by the total number of discrete steps, which is 2^8 = 256 for an 8-bit DAC. This results in a resolution of approximately 12V / 256 ≈ 0.0469V per step, enabling precise voltage control within this range.

The design complexity increases as the inputs specified in the provided table are applied to the circuit. For each input, the theoretical (calculated) output voltage is determined based on the DAC resolution and digital input value, while the actual measured voltage is obtained from the Multisim simulation. This comparison highlights the accuracy and potential discrepancies due to component tolerances or circuit non-idealities.

In essence, this lab emphasizes understanding comparator operation, designing voltage divider references, and integrating digital-to-analog conversion principles. It underscores the importance of accurate component selection, circuit validation via simulation, and precise measurement to achieve high-fidelity signal conditioning in electronic systems. By completing this project, students develop foundational skills critical for designing complex analog-digital conversion systems, which are vital in modern communication, instrumentation, and control applications.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction to Digital Signal Conditioning and Comparators

Digital signal conditioning is a fundamental aspect of modern electronics, facilitating the integration of analog signals into digital systems. Comparators are pivotal components in this domain, serving to compare an input voltage with a reference and generating a digital output based on this comparison. The practical implementation of comparators often involves voltage dividers, operational amplifiers, and digital-to-analog converters (DACs) to achieve precise threshold detection and signal conversion. Understanding the design, simulation, and measurement of such systems is crucial for developing reliable electronic applications, including sensors, controllers, and communication systems.

Design Goals and Circuit Specifications

The primary objective of this project is to design a comparator circuit with a threshold voltage of 1.25V. The specific logic is that when the input voltage drops below 1.25V, the output should be HIGH, and when it exceeds 1.25V, the output should go LOW. To achieve this, a voltage divider might be employed to generate the stable reference voltage from a 12V source, which is the voltage used by the digital-to-analog converter in subsequent stages. A key aspect is ensuring the resistor values are chosen accurately to produce the desired threshold, considering the input voltage characteristics and ensuring proper circuit operation during simulation.

Resistor Selection and Circuit Implementation

The reference voltage of 1.25V is derived from a voltage divider comprising two resistors, R1 and R2, connected across a 12V supply. The voltage at the divider is given by Vref = (R2 / (R1 + R2)) × 12V. To get 1.25V, the resistor ratio must satisfy R2 / (R1 + R2) = 1.25V / 12V ≈ 0.1042. Choosing standard resistor values (e.g., R1 = 10kΩ and R2 ≈ 1.2kΩ) achieves this ratio. The comparator compares the input sine wave to this reference voltage, and its output logic level changes accordingly.

Simulation and Validation in Multisim

Using Multisim, the comparator circuit is constructed with an operational amplifier or comparator IC configured with the voltage reference. A 3Vpp sine wave is applied into the input, and the output response is monitored over time to validate the threshold operation. The simulation shows how the output switches between HIGH and LOW states as the sine wave crosses the 1.25V threshold. This dynamic behavior confirms the circuit's functionality, enabling further analysis with digital inputs.

Digital-to-Analog Conversion and Resolution

The circuit incorporates an 8-bit DAC with a 12V reference voltage. The DAC converts digital inputs (8-bit binary values) into corresponding analog voltages. The resolution of the DAC, which defines the smallest change in output voltage per least significant bit (LSB), is calculated as:

Resolution = Vref / 2^8 = 12V / 256 ≈ 0.0469V

This high resolution allows precise analog voltage generation, critical for applications requiring fine control.

Applying Digital Inputs and Comparing Calculated vs. Measured Voltages

Digital inputs are applied representing various digital codes, and the resulting analog output voltages are both calculated theoretically and measured in the simulation. The calculations are straightforward, multiplying each digital value by the DAC resolution. For example, a digital input of 128 (binary 10000000) corresponds to approximately 5.906V. The actual measurement in Multisim confirms the effectiveness of the design, with minor discrepancies due to circuit imperfections or component tolerances.

Analysis of Results and Resolution Impact

The measured voltages closely match the calculated values, illustrating the accuracy of the DAC design. The resolution determines the minimum voltage increment achievable; therefore, selecting a higher resolution DAC enhances the precision of analog signal control and measurement. This capability is crucial for applications that demand high accuracy, like instrumentation or audio signal processing.

Conclusion

This project underscores the importance of designing precise comparator thresholds, selecting appropriate resistor values, and validating through simulation. It also highlights the role of digital-to-analog conversion accuracy, emphasizing the importance of DAC resolution in achieving high-fidelity signal processing. Accurate measurement and validation ensure the reliability of the system for real-world applications.

References

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  • Multisim by National Instruments. (2022). User Guide and Application Notes.
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