SBASB74 October 2024 ADS127L21B
PRODUCTION DATA
A reference voltage is required for operation. The reference voltage input is differential, defined as: VREF = VREFP – VREFN, and is applied to the REFP and REFN pins. See the Reference Voltage Range section for details of the reference voltage operating range.
As shown in Figure 7-5, the reference inputs have an input structure similar to the analog inputs. ESD diodes protect the reference inputs. Make sure the voltages on the reference pins do not go below AVSS by more than 0.3V, or above AVDD1 by 0.3V. These limits keep the ESD diodes from turning on. If these conditions are possible, use external clamp diodes, series resistors, or both to limit the input current to the specified value.
The reference voltage is sampled by a sampling capacitor, CREF. In unbuffered mode, current flows through the reference inputs to charge the sampling capacitor. The current consists of a dc component and an ac component that varies with the frequency of the modulator sampling clock. See the Electrical Characteristics table for the reference input current specification.
Charging the reference sampling capacitor requires the reference voltage to settle at the end of the sample phase t = 1 / (2 · fMOD). Incomplete settling of the reference voltage increases gain error and gain error drift. Operation in the lower-speed modes reduces the modulator sampling clock frequency, therefore allowing more time for the reference driver to settle.
The ADC provides a precharge buffer option for the REFP input to reduce the charge drawn by the sampling capacitor. The precharge buffer provides the coarse charge for the reference sampling capacitor, CREF. Halfway through the sample phase, the precharge buffer is bypassed (S1 is in an up position as demonstrated in Figure 7-5). At this time, the external driver provides the fine charge to the sampling capacitor. Because the buffer reduces the charge demand of the sampling capacitor, the reference input impedance increases.
Many applications ground REFN, therefore a precharge buffer for REFN is not necessary for these cases. For applications when REFN is not a low-impedance source, consider buffering the REFN input.