
REFERENCE
Buffer
CDAC
Internal
Reference
ZREF
ZCAP
CAP
(Pin4)
REF
(Pin5)
ZCAP W
ZREF W
PWRD0
REFD0
1
6 k
PWRD0
REFD1
1
1M
PWRD1
REFD0
200
6 k
PWRD1
REFD1
200
1M
3000
0.1
4000
5000
7000
6000
2000
0
1000
1
10
100
CAP Pin Value mF
3000
0.1
4000
5000
7000
6000
2000
0
1000
1
10
100
PowerUp
Time
m
s
www.ti.com ................................................................................................................................................. SLAS527A – SEPTEMBER 2008 – REVISED JUNE 2009
The ADS8517 can operate with the internal 2.5 V reference or an external reference. An external reference
connected to pin 5 (REF) bypasses the internal reference. The external reference must drive the 6-k
resistor
that separates pin 5 from the internal reference (see the
front page diagram). The load varies with the difference
between the internal and external reference voltages. The internal reference is approximately 2.5 V (range is
from 2.48 V to 2.52 V). The external reference voltage can vary from 2.3 V to 2.7 V. The reference, whether
internal or external, is buffered internally with the output on pin 4 (CAP).
Figure 41 shows characteristic
impedances at the input and output of the buffer with all combinations of power-down and reference power-down.
The reference voltage determines the size of the least significant bit (LSB). The larger reference voltages
produce a larger LSB, which can improve SNR. Smaller reference voltages can degrade SNR.
Figure 41. Characteristic Impedances of the Internal Buffer
The ADS8517 is factory-tested with 2.2
F capacitors connected to pin 4 (CAP) and pin 5 (REF). Each capacitor
should be placed as close as possible to the pin. The capacitor on pin 5 band-limits the internal reference noise.
A smaller capacitor can be used, but it may degrade SNR and SINAD. The capacitor on pin 4 stabilizes the
reference buffer and provides switching charge to the CDAC during conversion. Capacitors smaller than 1
F
may cause the buffer to become unstable and not hold sufficient charge for the CDAC. The devices are tested to
specifications with 2.2
F, making larger capacitors unnecessary (
Figure 42 shows how capacitor values larger
than 2.2
F have little effect on improving performance). The equivalent series resistance (ESR) of these
compensation capacitors is also critical; keep the total ESR under 3
. See the Typical Characteristics section
concerning how ESR affects performance.
Figure 42. Power-Down to Power-Up Time versus Capacitor Value on CAP
Neither the internal reference nor the buffer should be used to drive an external load. Such loading can degrade
performance, as shown in
Figure 41. Any load on the internal reference causes a voltage drop across the 6-k
resistor and affects gain. The internal buffer is capable of driving ±2-mA loads, but any load can cause
perturbations of the reference at the CDAC, thus degrading performance.
Copyright 2008–2009, Texas Instruments Incorporated
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