In this paper, a differential non-linearity (DNL) error analysis of successive approximation ADC is considered. The largest cause for the DNL of successive approximation ADC is due to the deviation in the output analog difference of included DAC between two adjacent code from the ideal value. The DNL error is the most difficult error to deal with since it cannot be eliminated by adjustment. The very high differential linearity is needed in the field of radiation pulse height analysis (PHA). Because of its high differential linearity, the Wilkinson type ADC is still extensively used for PHA. But it has very long conversion time. The successive approximation type ADC has quite short conversion time but has large DNL. The “Sliding Scale Method” by Gatti was introduced about 30 years ago to compensate the channel width inaccuracies of successive approximation ADC.
First, the DNL of successive approximation ADC is analyzed using admittance matrix of ladder-type resistance network. And the characteristics of channel width are investigated. After that, the following properties become evident.
(1) The resistance errors cause DNL at the specially fixed every 2
n channels.
(2) The small resistance error carse considerably large DNL.
(3) Each of specially selected channel groups has uniform channel width, in spite of 2
n weighted resistance error.
Finally, a new procedure to measure a smoothed curve of probability density function avoiding the DNL error is proposed by means of these results of investigations. The usefulness of this procedure is shown by computer simulation.
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