CN-0301 is a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) signal conditioning circuit. The system converts the output of the LVDT sensor to a unipolar DC voltage and drives the inputs of a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

This circuit uses a single chip solution that drives the excitation signal of the primary side of the LVDT and converts the secondary side. The complete system uses a 12-bit ADC resulting in a dynamic range of 82dB at a standard LVDT bandwidth of 250Hz. (The term bandwidth used in this case is referring to a sinusoidally varying mechanical position and can be easily configured to meet wider bandwidth applications by configuring a few external passive components.)

The signal conditioning circuitry of the system consumes only 15mA of current from the ±15V supply and 3mA from the +5V supply making this configuration suitable for industrial precision position and gauging applications such as flight control surface position feedback.

This circuit note discusses the design steps needed to optimize the circuit shown in Figure 1 for a specific bandwidth including noise analysis and component selection considerations.

This user guide will discuss how to use the evaluation software to collect data from the EVAL-CN0301-SDPZ Evaluation Board (CN-0301 Board)

• EVAL-SDP-CB1Z Controller Board (SDP-B Board)
• EVAL-CN0301-SDPZ Evaluation Board (CN-0301 Board)
• EVAL-CFTL-6V-PWRZ (+6V Power Supply) or equivalent
• EVAL-CFTL-LVDT Linear Variable Differential Transformer (Measurement Specialties, Inc. E-100 Economy Series LVDT)
• CN-0301 Evaluation Software
  • (supplied with provided CD in kit)
• PC with the following Minimum Requirements
  • Windows XP Service Pack 2 (32-bit)
  • USB type A Port
  • Processor rated at 1GHz or faster
  • 512 MB RAM and 500 MB available hard disk space
• USB type A to USB type mini-B cable

• The EVAL-CN0301-SDPZ (CN-0301 Board) connects to the EVAL-SDP-CB1Z (SDP-B Board) via the 120-Pin connector
• The EVAL-CFTL-6V-PWRZ (+6V DC Power Supply) powers the EVAL-CN0301-SDPZ (CN-0301 Board) via the DC barrel jack
• The EVAL-SDP-CB1Z (SDP-B Board) connects to the PC via the USB cable.
• The EVAL-CFTL-LVDT (LVDT) connects to the EVAL-CN0301-SDPZ (CN-0301 Board) via the 6-pin header at J1.

1. Extract the file CN0301_Evaluation_Software.zip and open the file setup.exe.
   
   

   NOTE: It is recommended that you install the CN-0301 Evaluation Software to the default directory path C:/Program Files/Analog Devices/CN0301/ and all National Instruments products to C:/Program Files/National Instruments/

   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Click Next to view the installation review page
   
   
   
   
3. Click Next to start the installation
   
   
   
   
4. Upon completion of the installation of the CN-0301 Evaluation Software, the installer for the ADI SDP Drivers will execute.
   
   

   NOTE: It is recommended that you close all other applications before clicking “Next”. This will make it possible to update relevant system files without having to reboot your computer.

   
   
   
   
   

5. Press “Next” to set the installation location for the SDP Drivers.
   
   

   It is recommended that you install the drivers to the default directory path
   C:/Program Files/Analog Devices/SDP/Drivers

   
   
   

6. Press “Next” to install the SDP Drivers and complete the installation of all software. Click “Finish” when done.
   
   

1. Connect the EVAL-CFTL-LVDT (LVDT) to J1 of the EVAL-CN0301-SDPZ (CN-0301 Board) as depicted below.
   
   

   NOTE: If a different LVDT is used other than the E-100 LVDT from Measurement Specialties, Inc the wiring schematic will be different!

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Connect J8 of the EVAL-CN0301-SDPZ (CN-0301 Board) to CON A of the EVAL-SDP-CB1Z (SDP-B Board)
   
   
   
   
3. Connect the EVAL-CFTL-6V-PWRZ (+6V DC Power Supply) to the Barrel Jack at J4 or the Screw Terminal at J3 on the EVAL-CN0301-SDPZ (CN-0301 Board)
   
   
   
   
4. Connect the USB cable to J1 of the EVAL-SDP-CB1Z (SDP-B Board)
   
   
   
   

1. Connect/Reconnect Button
   • When this button is pressed, the SDP-B Board makes a USB connection to the CN-0301 Board. A connection to the SDP-B Board must be made to use the software.
2. Run Button
   • When this button is pressed, the SDP-B Board will collect conversion data and present the acquisitions in the chart.
3. Stop Button
   • When this button is pressed, the software stop collecting data from the CN-0301 Board
4. Save Data Button
   • When this button is pressed, the software will save the data collected to a tab delimited ASCII spreadsheet file.
5. Clear Data Button
   • When this button is pressed, the software will clear all data collected from the chart history.
6. Control Tabs
   • Acquire Data - Clicking this tab brings the data collection chart to the front.
   • Configure System - Clicking this tab bring the system configuration settings to the front.
7. Channel 1 Numerical Indicator
   • This indicator displays the current position from null on Channel 1.
8. Channel 2 Numerical Indicator
   • This indicator displays the current position from null on Channel 2.
9. Channel Enable Checkboxes
   • This control determines which channels display in the chart.
10. Select Units Radio Buttons
    • This control determines the Y-Axis units of the data displayed in the chart.
11. ADC Conversion Out of Range LED Indicator
    • This indicator determines whether a conversion result is outside the allowable range of conversion results.
12. Chart Controls
    • These controls allow the user to zoom-in, zoom-out, and pan through the data collected.
13. System Status String Indicator
    • This indicator displays a message to the user detailing the current state of the software.
14. System Status LED Indicator
    • This indicator displays the current state of the software in the form of an LED. There are three status LED colors.
      Inactive
      Busy
      Error
      
15. ADC Conversion Thresholds Panel
    • This panel allows the registers in the AD7992 analog-to-digital converter to be written to and read back.
16. LVDT Full Scale Range Panel
    • This panel configures the maximum stroke range of the LVDT. The default configuration is 0.2 inches.

1. Follow the instructions to properly install the software and connect the hardware as described in the previous sections.
2. Open the file named CN0301.exe in the installation directory.
   
   

   NOTE: If the software was installed to the default location it will be found at
   C:/Program Files/Analog Devices/CN0301/CN0301.exe

   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Click the Connect/Reconnect Button. A window with a progress bar will load.
   
   
   
   
4. Upon success, the System Status String Indicator will display SDP Board Ready to Acquire Data

1. Establish a USB Connection Link.
2. Click the Run Button
3. Click the Stop Button when acquisition is complete.

1. Establish a USB Connection Link.
2. Capture Data.
3. Click the Save Data Button.
4. Configure the format of the spreadsheet data.
   • Select either Inches or ADC Codes.
   • Select either Channel 1, Channel 2, or select both channels.
     
     
     
     
5. Click the OK Button.
6. Browse to the directory location where the spreadsheet file is to be saved.
7. Name the file.
8. Click the OK Button.

1. Establish a USB Connection Link.
2. Click the “Configure System” Control Tab.
3. Change the hexadecimal value of the register to be written in the ADC Conversion Thresholds Panel.
4. Press the Set Thresholds Button.

1. Establish a USB Connection Link.
2. Click the “Configure System” Control Tab.
3. Press the Read Thresholds Button.

1. Click the “Configure System” Control Tab.
2. Change the value of the channel of interest in the LVDT Full Scale Range Panel.
   • The default value is 0.20 inches for both channels.

CN0301 LabVIEW Source

API Functions Explained