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Simple D/A Converter For Robots: Tilo Gockel

This document describes a simple and low-cost D/A converter circuit for robots using a microcontroller's PWM output and an RC low-pass filter. A microcontroller's PWM output is filtered to provide an analog output signal proportional to the PWM duty cycle. An op-amp and simple RC filter with values of 3.9kΩ and 10nF provide a cutoff frequency of around 4kHz, sufficient for audio. This simple circuit can provide an analog output from a microcontroller's digital pin for applications like motor speed control.

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Ag Cristian
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82 views1 page

Simple D/A Converter For Robots: Tilo Gockel

This document describes a simple and low-cost D/A converter circuit for robots using a microcontroller's PWM output and an RC low-pass filter. A microcontroller's PWM output is filtered to provide an analog output signal proportional to the PWM duty cycle. An op-amp and simple RC filter with values of 3.9kΩ and 10nF provide a cutoff frequency of around 4kHz, sufficient for audio. This simple circuit can provide an analog output from a microcontroller's digital pin for applications like motor speed control.

Uploaded by

Ag Cristian
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Simple D/A Converter for Robots

Tilo Gockel quency roll-off (the characteristics of


which change as we age) so frequen-
+10V
Sometimes it’s necessary to add a D/ cies this high will be barely audible.
A converter to a microcontroller for a
specific application. This can be fairly Any standard operational amplifier,
simply accomplished by interfacing for example the TL071 can be used
C51 ANALOG
an off-the-shelf D/A converter to the OUT in this application. Lower frequency
microcontroller’s bus. An even simpler R OPAMP signals all the way down to DC can
PWM1
and more cost-effective solution based 3k9
also be handled by this circuit and in
on an application note from Microchip C this case the low-pass filter corner fre-
[1] is shown here. A microcontroller quency can be reduced further which
10n
produces a PWM (pulse width modu- will give better attenuation of the PWM
lated) digital output signal which is fil- -10V fundamental and reduce ripple on DC
tered by a low-pass RC filter. Although 070133 - 11 output signals. One typical application
the PWM signal has a fixed repetition of the circuit is speed control of a DC
rate the on-to-off ratio is varied from motor in accordance with the industry
0 to 100 % which, after filtering gives standard ±10V. The circuit will connect
an analogue output signal proportional and 10 nF) gives a –3 dB corner frequency to the motor via a suitable power driver
to the ratio. A single digital output from a of around 4 kHz. When driven by a PWM stage. In this case the electromechanical
port pin (driven from an on-chip timer for frequency of approximately 20 kHz the properties of the motor itself will act as a
example) can therefore form the basis of filter will be suitable for outputting audio low pass filter.
an analogue output signal. tones and voice signals with a bandwidth (070133-I)
of 4 kHz. This simple filter will attenuate Web link
Guidelines to calculate values for the RC the 20 kHz fundamental PWM frequency
[1] http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/
low-pass filter are given in the application by 14 dB which may not sound like much en/AppNotes/00538c.pdf
note. Using the values suggested (3.9 kΩ but the human ear has its own high fre-

 elektor electronics - 7-8/2007

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