ADC Acquisition Time

ADC Acquisition Time - Successive Approximation Register (SAR) ADC

Acquisition time (sampling time) is the time required for the Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) to capture the input voltage during sampling. Acquisition time of a Successive Approximation Register (SAR) ADC is the amount of time required to charge the holding capacitor (CHOLD) on the front end of an ADC. Internally, the track and hold circuit is implemented as a charge holding capacitor that is disconnected from the analog input pin just before the Analog-to-Digital conversion begins. The holding capacitor must be given sufficient time to settle to the analog input voltage level before the actual conversion is initiated. If sufficient time is not allowed for acquisition, the conversion will be inaccurate. The required acquisition time is based on a number of factors: holding capacitor value (CHOLD), impedance of the internal analog multiplexer, output impedance of the analog source (RSOURCE), and the switch impedance (RSS). The figure below shows a typical model for the analog input of a SAR ADC. The input model parameters will vary, so the designer should refer to the device data sheet to ensure that the proper acquisition time is provided based on the input circuit that is used in the design.

An increase in the source impedance will increase the required acquisition time. In addition, there is a maximum recommended source impedance requirement. Generally speaking, maximum source impedance requirement for an 8-bit or 10-bit ADC is in the range of 10 kΩ; for 12-bit ADCs it is 2.5 kΩ. Design engineers need to refer to the specific device data sheet with regard to the equation that calculates the minimum acquisition time for your particular application.


ADC Acquisition Time - Pipleline ADC

To start sampling with a pipleline ADC, depending upon the ADC's data sheet, either the rising or falling edge of the external input clock signal initiates the ADC sampling (acquisition). For each conversion, the pipleline ADC samples the signal once.

ADC Acquisition Time - Delta-Sigma ADC

The acquisition time of the Delta-Sigma ADC takes longer than SAR or pipleline ADC because it averages multiple samples for each conversion (oversampling). This averaging is done in the form of a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) or Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) digital filter. The oversampling mechanism and acquisition time of Delta-Sigma ADCs vary from device to device.

ADC Conversion Time

Conversion time is the time required to obtain the digital result, i.e., the time it takes to complete a single conversion. Conversion time does not include the acquisition time or the ADC setup time. The conversion time is usually specified in analog-to-digital clock cycles and the minimum period for the clock is specified to obtain the specified accuracy for the ADC.

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