Part A: DAC0808 Interfacing and Waveform Generation - 5.1 | Experiment No. 6: Analog-to-Digital (A/D) and Digital-to-Analog (D/A) Conversion Interfacing | Microcontroller Lab
K12 Students

Academics

AI-Powered learning for Grades 8–12, aligned with major Indian and international curricula.

Professionals

Professional Courses

Industry-relevant training in Business, Technology, and Design to help professionals and graduates upskill for real-world careers.

Games

Interactive Games

Fun, engaging games to boost memory, math fluency, typing speed, and English skills—perfect for learners of all ages.

Interactive Audio Lesson

Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.

Introduction to D/A Conversion

Unlock Audio Lesson

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Welcome everyone! Today, we’ll explore Digital-to-Analog conversion. Can anyone tell me what a D/A converter does?

Student 1
Student 1

It converts digital signals into analog signals?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Think of it as translating binary code into a physical voltage that we can measure. Let's remember this with the acronym D/A = Digital to Analog.

Student 2
Student 2

What kind of applications use D/A converters?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! Common applications include audio devices, video systems, and real-time data control. Now, what key parameters do we consider in a D/A converter?

Student 3
Student 3

Resolution, full-scale output voltage, and conversion time?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Remember, resolution indicates the smallest output change for a 1-bit change in input.

Understanding DAC0808

Unlock Audio Lesson

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Let’s dive into the DAC0808. Can someone explain what makes it significant in D/A conversion?

Student 4
Student 4

It's an 8-bit DAC, so it can produce 256 discrete voltage levels?

Teacher
Teacher

Right! Higher bits provide better resolution. The formula is Resolution = V_FS / 2^N. Can anyone explain these terms?

Student 1
Student 1

V_FS is the maximum output voltage, and N is the number of bits!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Now, how do we actually interface the DAC0808 with a microprocessor?

Student 2
Student 2

We connect its data inputs to the microprocessor data bus.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Additionally, we need to handle power supply and reference voltage connections, which are essential for accurate output.

Assembly Language Programming for DAC

Unlock Audio Lesson

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Now, let’s write some assembly code to generate an analog output. Anyone want to give it a shot?

Student 3
Student 3

We could start with initializing the accumulator and then outputting values to the DAC?

Teacher
Teacher

"Exactly! This will create a staircase waveform as we increment the value. The basic code is:

Observing Outputs and Waveform Analysis

Unlock Audio Lesson

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Finally, once we run the code, we need to observe the output waveform. What device would we use for this task?

Student 2
Student 2

An oscilloscope?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Observing the staircase waveform helps us understand how smoothly our DAC is functioning. We can look for peak voltage and step sizes, right?

Student 1
Student 1

Yes! The maximum voltage and the minimum voltage changes!

Teacher
Teacher

Great! It reinforces our understanding of how D/A conversion works in practice.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section focuses on the interfacing of DAC0808 with microprocessors for analog waveform generation, covering key concepts of D/A conversion.

Standard

The section delves into the principles of Digital-to-Analog conversion using the DAC0808, detailing its interfacing with microprocessors, assembly language programming for generating analog outputs, and analyzing the produced waveforms.

Detailed

DAC0808 Interfacing and Waveform Generation

The DAC0808 is an 8-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that converts digital input codes into corresponding analog output voltages. This section elaborates on the significance of DACs in bridging the gap between digital microprocessors and the analog world, focusing on key topics such as resolution, full-scale output voltage, and practical interfacing techniques.

Key Concepts:

  • D/A Conversion: Converts binary-coded digital input into analog voltage or current outputs. The resolution determines the smallest change in output for a one-bit change in input.
  • Interfacing with Microprocessors: Discusses the connection of DAC0808 to microprocessor data buses and control signals, illustrating how output voltage is generated based on digital input.
  • Assembly Language Programming: Guides on writing assembly code to generate an increasing voltage output, creating a staircase waveform.
  • Waveform Analysis: Observing generated waveforms with an oscilloscope to evaluate the output characteristics, confirming theoretical expectations.

Significance:

This section provides hands-on experience in interfacing DACs with microprocessors, facilitating a practical understanding of analog waveforms' generation and characteristics.

Audio Book

Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.

Interfacing Schematic for DAC0808

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

  1. Interfacing Schematic for DAC0808:
  2. Connect DAC0808 D0-D7 to the microprocessor's D0-D7 data bus.
  3. Connect the V_REF+ pin to +5V (or desired reference voltage).
  4. Connect the V_REF- pin to ground.
  5. Connect the Power Supply pins: VCC to +5V, VEE to -5V (or ground if using single supply mode).
  6. Connect I_OUT to an external current-to-voltage converter circuit using an op-amp (e.g., LM741) and a feedback resistor. A common configuration uses a 5k Ohm feedback resistor with V_REF = +5V.
  7. Output Voltage (V_OUT_OPAMP) = -I_OUT * R_F (where I_OUT is the DAC current output and R_F is the feedback resistor).
  8. I_OUT = I_REF * (Digital Input / 256) where I_REF = V_REF / R_REF (R_REF is often an internal resistor or an external resistor on V_REF pin). For DAC0808, I_REF = V_REF / 10k Ohm.
  9. So, V_OUT_OPAMP = - (V_REF / 10k Ohm) * (Digital Input / 256) * R_F.
  10. If V_REF = 5V and R_F = 5k Ohm, V_OUT_OPAMP = - (5V / 10k) * (Digital Input / 256) * 5k = - (0.5mA) * (Digital Input / 256) * 5k = - (2.5 * Digital Input / 256).
  11. To get positive voltage, either invert the op-amp output or use I_OUT (complementary output) with an op-amp. Most trainers have internal op-amps for DAC.
  12. I/O Address Decoding: Design a simple I/O address decoder to generate a Chip Select (overlineCS) for the DAC. For example, assign DAC to I/O address 40H.
  13. Connect A6 of 8085/8086 to a gate, and combine with IO/overlineM (high) and overlineRD (high, as it's a write operation) to create overlineCS.
  14. For 8085: Use A6 and IO/overlineM (inverted) through a NAND gate, and then connect this to the DAC's CS. For a fixed port, say 40H, use A6=1, A5=0, A4=0, A3=0, A2=0, A1=0, A0=0. A simple decode could be A6 ORed with inverters of lower address lines.
  15. For simplicity, many trainers connect a DAC to a fixed port, say 40H, without complex external decoding. We'll assume a port address.

Detailed Explanation

The interfacing schematic for the DAC0808 outlines how to correctly wire the Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) to the microprocessor. Firstly, the digital inputs from the DAC (D0-D7) need to be connected to the corresponding data bus on the microprocessor. This connection allows the microprocessor to send digital values to the DAC.
Next, the reference voltages (V_REF+ and V_REF-) provide the DAC with the necessary voltage range for its output. The V_REF+ pin is typically connected to +5V, while the V_REF- is grounded.
The power supply connections must also be established: connecting VCC to +5V and VEE to -5V or ground, depending on the operational mode of the DAC (single or dual supply).
The output side of the DAC (I_OUT) is connected to an external circuit that converts the current output into a voltage. This is typically done using an operational amplifier (op-amp). The op-amp is configured such that its output voltage is proportional to the input current, which depends on the digital value sent from the microprocessor.
Moreover, to control the DAC operation, the microprocessor needs to generate a Chip Select (overlineCS) signal, which indicates when it wants to write data to the DAC. This is achieved through I/O address decoding, allowing the DAC to be uniquely addressed by the microprocessor.

Examples & Analogies

Think of the DAC0808 as a pizza-making machine, where the digital signals (D0-D7) represent different toppings (like cheese, pepperoni, etc.). The microprocessor acts like a customer placing an order through a cash register (the data bus). The reference voltages (V_REF) act like the oven's heat, determining how well the pizza cooks. Once the order is complete, the machine (DAC) outputs a fully baked pizza (analog voltage) that can be enjoyed (or measured) with the help of an external thermometer (the op-amp circuit). Just like a pizza needs the right ingredients and temperature to become delicious, the DAC needs proper connections and reference voltages to generate the desired analog output.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • D/A Conversion: Converts binary-coded digital input into analog voltage or current outputs. The resolution determines the smallest change in output for a one-bit change in input.

  • Interfacing with Microprocessors: Discusses the connection of DAC0808 to microprocessor data buses and control signals, illustrating how output voltage is generated based on digital input.

  • Assembly Language Programming: Guides on writing assembly code to generate an increasing voltage output, creating a staircase waveform.

  • Waveform Analysis: Observing generated waveforms with an oscilloscope to evaluate the output characteristics, confirming theoretical expectations.

  • Significance:

  • This section provides hands-on experience in interfacing DACs with microprocessors, facilitating a practical understanding of analog waveforms' generation and characteristics.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Using an 8-bit DAC, you can produce 256 discrete voltage levels, such as 0V to 5V, with each level represented by a unique digital input code.

  • For a DAC0808 with a full-scale output voltage of 5V, an input of 128 would generate an output of approximately 2.5V based on the resolution calculation.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • DAC0808's the name, voltage output's the game.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a robot that only understands binary codes. The DAC0808 translates those codes into beautiful melodies that the robot can play, bridging the gap between digital and analog realms.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • To remember D/A conversion, think 'D' for Digital and 'A' for Analog; they’re two sides of the same coin!

🎯 Super Acronyms

R, V, C – Remember each DAC has Resolution, Voltage Output, and Control signals.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: DAC0808

    Definition:

    An 8-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter that converts digital input codes into proportional analog output voltage.

  • Term: Resolution

    Definition:

    The smallest change in analog output for a one-bit change in digital input.

  • Term: Full Scale Output Voltage

    Definition:

    The maximum analog output voltage the DAC can produce.

  • Term: V_REF

    Definition:

    An external stable voltage source used by the DAC to establish its output range.