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ADC PCB Layout: The reference path

SAR ADC PCB Layout: The reference path

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SAR
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Posted 30
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Luis
Chioye

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SAR ADC PCB Layout: The reference path

Luis Chioye

Jul 25 2014 14:36 PM

Comments 1

When designing a high-performance data acquisition system, a diligent
engineer carefully selects a precision analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and the
additional components needed for the analog front-end conditioning circuit.
After spending weeks designing, performing simulations and optimizing the
schematic, the designer quickly puts board layout together to meet a tight
deadline.  A week later, the first prototype board is tested. To his or her
surprise, the circuit does not perform as expected.

Has this ever happened to you?

Optimal PCB layout is essential to obtain the expected performance of your
ADC. When designing circuits with mixed-signal devices, you should always start
with a good grounding scheme and partition the design into analog, digital and
power sections using optimal component placement and signal routing.

The reference path is the most critical in ADC layout, because all
conversions are a function of the reference voltage. With a traditional
successive approximation register (SAR) ADC architecture, the reference path is
also the most sensitive, as the reference pin presents a dynamic load to the
reference source.

Since the reference voltage is sampled several times during each conversion,
high-current transients are present in this terminal where the ADC’s internal
capacitor array is switched and charged as the bit decisions are made. The
reference voltage must remain stable and settled to the required N-Bit
resolution during each conversion clock cycle, or linearity errors and missing
code errors may occur.

Figure 1 shows the current transients during the conversion phase on the
reference terminal for a classic 12-bit SAR ADC.

Figure 1.  Current Transients on the Reference Pin of
a 12-Bit SAR ADC

Because of these dynamic currents, the reference pin requires good decoupling
using a high-quality bypass capacitor (CREF). The bypass capacitor is
used as a charge storage reservoir that can provide instantaneous charge during
these high-frequency transient currents. You should place the reference bypass
capacitor as close as possible to the reference pin and connect them using
short, low-inductance connections.

Figure 2 shows a board layout example for the ADS7851, a 14-bit, dual ADC with two independent internal
voltage references.

Figure 2.  Layout example
for a Dual ADC with Two Independent Internal References

In this four-layer PCB board example, the designer used a solid ground plane
right underneath the device and partitioned the board into analog and digital
sections keeping the sensitive inputs and reference signals away from noise
sources. He bypassed the REFOUT-A and REFOUT-B reference outputs with 10-μF,
X7R-grade, 0805-size ceramic capacitors (CREF-x) for optimal
performance and connected them to the device using small 0.1-Ω series resistors
to keep the overall impedance low and constant at high frequencies.  He
also used wide traces to reduce inductance.

I highly recommend placing CREF in the same layer as the ADC. You
should also avoid placing vias between the reference pins and the bypass
capacitors. Each reference ground pin of the ADS7851 has an independent via connection to GND, and each
bypass capacitor has its own low inductance connection to the ground path.

If you’re using an ADC that requires an external reference source, you should
minimize the inductance in the reference signal path – starting from the
reference buffer output to the bypass capacitor to the ADC’s reference input.

Figure 3 shows a layout example for the ADS8881, an 18-bit, SAR ADC using an external reference and
buffer.  The designer kept the inductance between the reference capacitor
and the REF pin less than 2 nH by placing the capacitor within 0.1-inches from
the pin and connecting it with wide 20 mil traces and multiple 15-mil grounding
vias. I recommend a single, 10-uF, X7R-grade, 0805-size ceramic capacitor with
at least a 10-V rating.

The trace length from the reference buffer circuit to the REF pin was kept as
short as possible to ensure fast settling response.

Proper decoupling of the REF pin is critical to achieve optimum performance.
In addition, keeping low inductance connections in the reference path allows the
reference driving circuit to remain stable and settled during the conversion
phase, getting you one step closer to obtaining your desired results.

Figure 3.  Layout example for an ADC with
an External Reference and Buffer

For a deeper look into this topic, check out the Layout Guidelines provided
in the ADS8881 and ADS7851 datasheets.

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Precision
ADC (<=10MSPS), ADS8881,
SAR
ADC, ADS7851

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Comments

Andrew
McKean

Aug 07 2014 08:55 AM

More explanation on the function of RREF would be helpful.

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