AD7870/AD7875/AD7876
Rev. C | Page 14 of 28
TIMING AND CONTROL
The AD7870/AD7875/AD7876 is capable of two basic operat-
ing modes. In the first mode (Mode 1), the CONVST line is
used to start conversion and drive the track-and-hold into its
hold mode. At the end of conversion, the track-and-hold returns
to its tracking mode. It is intended principally for digital signal
processing and other applications where precise sampling in
time is required. In these applications, it is important that the
signal sampling occur at exactly equal intervals to minimize
errors due to sampling uncertainty or jitter. For these cases, the
CONVST line is driven by a timer or some precise clock source.
The second mode is achieved by hardwiring the CONVST line
low. This mode (Mode 2) is intended for use in systems where
the microprocessor has total control of the ADC, both initiating
the conversion and reading the data. CS starts conversion and
the microprocessor is normally driven into a WAIT state for the
duration of conversion by BUSY/INT.
DATA OUTPUT FORMATS
In addition to the two operating modes, the AD7870/AD7875/
AD7876 also offers a choice of three data output formats, one
serial and two parallel. The parallel data formats are a single,
12-bit parallel word for 16-bit data buses and a two-byte format
for 8-bit data buses. The data format is controlled by the 12/8/
CLK input. A logic high on this pin selects the 12-bit parallel
output format only. A logic low or −5 V applied to this pin
allows the user access to either serial or byte formatted data.
Three of the pins previously assigned to the four MSBs in
parallel form are now used for serial communications while
the fourth pin becomes a control input for the byte-formatted
data. The three possible data output formats can be selected
in either of the modes of operation.
Parallel Output Format
The two parallel formats available on the part are a 12-bit wide
data word and a two-byte data word. In the first format, all
12 bits of data are available at the same time on DB11 (MSB)
through DB0 (LSB). In the second, two reads are required to
access the data. When this data format is selected, the DB11/
HBEN pin assumes the HBEN function. HBEN selects which
byte of data is to be read from the ADC. When HBEN is low,
the lower eight bits of data are placed on the data bus during a
read operation; with HBEN high, the upper four bits of the 12-
bit word are placed on the data bus. These four bits are right
justified and thereby occupy the lower nibble of data while the
upper nibble contains four zeros.
Serial Output Format
Serial data is available on the AD7870/AD7875/AD7876 when
the 12/8/CLK input is at 0 V or −5 V and in this case the DB10/
SSTRB, DB9/SCLK and DB8/SDATA pins assume their serial
functions. Serial data is available during conversion with a
word length of 16 bits; four leading zeros, followed by the 12-bit
conversion result starting with the MSB. The data is synchro-
nized to the serial clock output (SCLK) and framed by the serial
strobe (SSTRB). Data is clocked out on a low to high transition
of the serial clock and is valid on the falling edge of this clock
while the SSTRB output is low. SSTRB goes low within three
clock cycles after CONVST, and the first serial data bit (the first
leading zero) is valid on the first falling edge of SCLK. All three
serial lines are open-drain outputs and require external pull-up
resistors.
The serial clock out is derived from the ADC clock source,
which may be internal or external. Normally, SCLK is required
during the serial transmission only. In these cases, it can be shut
down at the end of conversion to allow multiple ADCs to share
a common serial bus. However, some serial systems (such as the
TMS32020) require a serial clock that runs continuously. Both
options are available on the AD7870/AD7875/AD7876 using
the 12/8/CLK input. With this input at −5 V, the serial clock
(SCLK) runs continuously; when 12/8/CLK is at 0 V, SCLK is
turned off at the end of transmission.
MODE 1 INTERFACE
Conversion is initiated by a low going pulse on the CONVST
input. The rising edge of this CONVST pulse starts conversion
and drives the track-and-hold amplifier into its hold mode
(AD7870/AD7875/AD7876). The falling edge of the CONVST
pulse starts conversion and drives the track-and-hold amplifier
into its hold mode (AD7870A). Conversion is not initiated if
the CS is low. The BUSY/INT status output assumes its INT
function in this mode. INT is normally high and goes low at the
end of conversion. This INT line can be used to interrupt the
microprocessor. A read operation to the ADC accesses the data
and the INT line is reset high on the falling edge of CS and RD.
The CONVST input must be high when CS and RD are brought
low for the ADC to operate correctly in this mode. The CS or
RD input should not be hardwired low in this mode. Data
cannot be read from the part during conversion because the on-
chip latches are disabled when conversion is in progress. In
applications where precise sampling is not critical, the
CONVST pulse can be generated from a microprocessor WR
line OR-gated with a decoded address. In some applications,
depending on power supply turn-on time, the
AD7870/AD7875/AD7876 may perform a conversion on
power-up. In this case, the INT line powers-up low and a
dummy read to the AD7870/AD7875/AD7876 is required to
reset the INT line before starting conversion.
Figure 18 shows the Mode 1 timing diagram for a 12-bit parallel
data output format (12/8/CLK = +5 V). A read to the ADC at
the end of conversion accesses all 12 bits of data at the same
time. Serial data is not available for this data output format.