Amplifier and Data Converter Selection Guide (Rev. B

106➔Design and Evaluation ToolsEvaluation Boards and ADCPro Software Make ADC Testing EasierWhen you consider an analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) for a new design, you canget a rapid assessment of the device with anevaluation module. If you intend to viewcollected time-domain, histogram, or FFTdata, a new tool from TI, ADCPro, will assistin performing these tests.IEEE Std 1241-2000 defines how thesestandard tests are to be performed. There areDC and AC parameters for ADCs – and theIEEE standard describes several differentpossible ways of testing these parameters.The simplest method is to use a sine wavesignal source and look at the resulting datarecord in several ways. These include timedomain plots, histograms, and FFT tests.Using these three methods together will giveus a good indication of what the ADCtransfer characteristics are.At TI, our ADC EVMs are produced in amodular format. This small card provides theminimal circuitry needed to make the ADCoperate—in some cases a reference voltage,or a clock source (oscillator) is needed. Byitself, it provides a means for customers toconnect the ADC into their own system ortest platform. Using our modular EVMinterface boards, these EVMs can beconnected to TI processors for use in codedevelopment and hardware prototyping.To assist evaluation of the converters, weprovide complete evaluation kits (identified byending in "EVM-PDK" example ADS1258EVM-PDK). These "PDKs" consist of the modularEVM, plus a suitable motherboard to plugthem into—this provides the means to collectdata from the device and communicate thatdata to a computer, usually through a USBconnection. In addition, analog-to-digitalconverter PDKs will include some software tohelp control the device under evaluation andanalyze the data collected. This data analysissoftware is called ADCPro. Like the EVMs,ADCPro is designed in a modular fashion,using the concept of plug-ins to supportdifferent devices and different tests andanalyses.When you run ADCPro, you really use threeprograms: a shell program that loads plug-ins,a plug-in program that can communicate withthe hardware of an EVM, and a test plug-inthat analyzes data coming from the EVMplug-in. This modular design allows ADCProto be used with a number of different datacapture cards or motherboards that may shipin the EVM-PDK. Data files saved fromADCPro can be reloaded for further analysisusing an EVM plug-in that simply reads files.When considering an analog-to-digitalconverter for a new design, using anevaluation kit and ADCPro software can helpyou quickly determine the performance levelof the converter to see if it meets your needs.Following the IEEE1241-2000 standard, youcan use a simple sine wave input and viewcollected time-domain, histogram, or FFTdata, and get a sense of how the ADC willperform in your application.ADCPro• Easy-to-use ADC evaluation software forMicrosoft Windows ®• Data collection to ASCII text file• Compatible with TI Modular EVM System• Built-in analysis tools including scope, FFT,histogram displays• Complete control of EVM board settings• Easily expandable with new analysisPlug-In Tools provided by TIPowerSupplyUSBSignal Source(Not Included)PC Interface BoardADC EVM(Not Included)EVM-PDKAmplifier and Data Converter Selection Guide Texas Instruments 3Q 2007