Universal Frequency-to-Digital
Converter
UFDC-1
FEATURES
16 measuring modes and one generator mode
2 channels for frequency and period
measurements
Provides frequency (time)-to-digital conversion
for many types of sensors and transducers
Frequency range from 0.05 Hz up to 7.5 MHz
without prescaling and 120 MHz with
prescaling;
Programmable accuracy (relative error) for
frequency (period) conversion from 1 % to
0.001%
Relative quantization error is constant in all
specified frequency range
Non-redundant conversion time
Scalable resolution
Internal reference clock 500 kHz
@ 16 MHz quartz oscillator
Quartz-accurate automated calibration
3-wire serial interface (SPI compatible)
2-wire interface (I
2
C compatible)
RS232/485 serial interface
Master and slave communication modes
Frequency generator mode 8 MHz with quartz
crystal stability
FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM
The UFDC-1 can be easy included into digital
environment, controlled by an external microcontroller
(slave mode) or work independently as a separate
measuring unit without an external control (master
mode). The function selection can be configured in
both software and hardware.
The IC converts frequency-time domain signals into
digital
domain
and
provides
interface
to
microcontroller, DAQ or sensor system to read these
digital results. resolution and programmable accuracy
during the non-redundant conversion time.
The UFDC-1 has 16 measuring and one generating
modes. The measuring mode can be hardware-
selected by using four selection external pins M0-M2
and the relative error by using four selection pins
N0-N2 (RS232 master communication mode). The
mode and accuracy can be also selected by using any
of three possible interfaces (slave communication
mode). A communication interface type (RS232, SPI or
I
2
C) can be automatically selected according to the
circuit connection.
APPLICATIONS
Physical and Chemical Sensor Systems
Digital Sensors, SoC, SiP
Smart and Intelligent Sensors and Systems
Industrial and Process Control
Data Acquisition Systems
Instrumentations
Customer Electronics
Automotive
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The
Universal
Frequency-to-Digital
Converter
(UFDC-1) is a fully digital CMOS integrated circuit
based on novel patented methods for frequency,
period, its ratio, duty-cycle and phase-shift
measurements. By using this IC it is possible to build a
wide variety of digital, smart sensors and intelligent
sensor systems. The device represents a high-
resolution conversion for data acquisition systems
designed to support all range of frequency-time
domain and digital sensor applications. It offers high
performance with flexibility and requires minimum
possible number of external components.
MEASURING MODES
Frequency,
f
x1
0.05 Hz – 7.5 MHz directly and up to
120 MHz with prescaling
Period,
T
x1
150 ns – 20 s
Phase shift,
x
0 - 360
0
at
f
xmax
= 500 kHz at 50 %
duty-cycle
Time interval between start – and stop-pulse,
x
2
s
– 250 s
Duty-cycle, D.C. 0 – 1 at
f
xmax
500 kHz
Duty-off factor,
Q
10
-8
– 8
.
10
6
at
f
xmax
500 kHz
TAB [ TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE BCNA 2010, S. L. ]
