Date: 29/10/2009

13-bit Sinusoidal to digital converter IC with calibration from iC-Haus

iC-NQC from iC-Haus is an interpolation circuit with signal error compensation for sinusoidal sensor signals, generated by optical or magnetic GMR, AMR or Hall position sensors. iC-NQC provides a BiSS C slave protocol that enables bidirectional data exchange at the same time as the cyclic output of measurement data. Both decimal and binary resolutions of up to 8,192 angle steps per signal period can be set, these can be output as an absolute value via a BiSS/SSI Interface at clock rates of up to 10 MHz and at the same time incrementally as encoder quadrature signals with A/B and an index Z.

A signal-conditioning unit is integrated to correct typical sensor errors, this unit intercepts the analog signal path via several D/A converters. As iC-NQC can compensate for offset, amplitude and phase errors, interpolation results are considerably improved, with an accuracy of 10 bits or an angle error of ±0.35º maximum per signal period.

An integrated I2C interface provides access to an external EEPROM with 2 to 16kbit that can store the CRC-checked configuration. On startup iC-NQC automatically reads the setup and checks the CRC or wait for the configuration via the BiSS-interface.

Typical applications include:

Incremental and absolute encoders for BiSS and SSI
Magnetic linear position measurement systems
Optical linear scales
Synchronous evaluation of sine encoders for inverters
PC measuring cards for 1 V, 11 µA and TTL encoder signals
Error monitoring of frequency, amplitude and configuration
Device setup from serial EEPROM or using BiSS
ESD protection and TTL-/CMOS-compatible outputs

Binary resolutions between 8 and 8,192 angle steps or decimal resolutions from 25 to 2,000 angle steps can be selected. For incremental output, the maximum tracking rate and minimum transition distance can be stipulated for the output of an absolute angle via the serial interface an automatic resolution adaptation feature can be activated in order to trail high input frequencies of up to 250 kHz. A scalable 24-bit period counter also enables signal periods to be tracked.

Operating temperature range: -20 to +85ºC, and optional from -40 to +125ºC

Package: 20-pin TSSOP, 6.4 x 6.4 mm package

Availability: The NQ6D demo board with user software supports easy evaluation on the PC using the available BiSS to USB-adapter.

For more details visit www.ichaus.com

Editorial product rating: Significant